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BP removes chairman with immediate effect
Oil giant BP has dismissed its chairman, Albert Manifold, following serious concerns over governance standards and conduct, including allegations of bullying and overbearing behavior, sources told the BBC.
Reasons behind the dismissal
In a statement, BP cited "serious concerns" related to "important governance standards, oversight, and conduct" as the basis for Manifold's removal. While the company did not explicitly confirm bullying allegations, it acknowledged that the issues were severe enough to warrant immediate action.
A source close to BP described the decision as a "big lever to pull," emphasizing that such measures are only taken in extreme circumstances.
Board reaction and interim leadership
Senior independent director Amanda Blanc expressed the board's disappointment, stating they were "surprised and disappointed" by the oversight and conduct issues, which they deemed "unacceptable." The board unanimously supported Manifold's removal.
Ian Tyler, another senior independent director, has been appointed interim chair with immediate effect. Tyler affirmed the board's "deep conviction" in BP's strategic direction and praised chief executive Meg O'Neill, who took over in December 2023, for her leadership in simplifying and strengthening the organization.
Manifold's brief tenure and shareholder dissent
Manifold joined BP in September 2025 as a non-executive director and was appointed chairman the following month. His tenure lasted less than a year, during which he was tasked with shifting BP's focus back toward oil and gas, moving away from renewable energy investments.
At the time of his appointment, BP highlighted Manifold's "strong track record of strategic leadership." However, his departure follows a turbulent period, including a shareholder revolt at last month's annual general meeting (AGM), where nearly 20% of investors voted against his election due to governance concerns.
Climate activists had also criticized BP for refusing to include a shareholder resolution on climate issues at the AGM, with Manifold arguing the resolution had not been filed correctly.
Market reaction and financial performance
BP's shares fell by approximately 5% following the announcement of Manifold's removal. The company recently reported a doubling of profits to $3.2 billion (£2.4 billion) for the first quarter of 2026, driven by a surge in oil prices amid the Iran conflict and strong performance in its oil trading business.
Maurizio Carulli, a global energy analyst at Quilter Cheviot, described Manifold's departure as a "short-term negative" but noted that BP's operational improvements and strategic refocusing over the past year were the result of collective efforts, not just one individual.
Leadership changes and future outlook
BP has initiated a search for a permanent chairman. Manifold's removal follows a series of leadership upheavals at the company, including the resignation of former CEO Bernard Looney in 2023 over undisclosed relationships with colleagues and the brief tenure of his successor, Murray Auchincloss, who stepped down last December.
There is no indication that O'Neill's position or BP's strategic direction is in question. The company remains focused on its upstream and downstream business model, which O'Neill has championed since taking over.
"The board has deep conviction in the strategic direction we have laid out," Tyler said.
