BP removed its chairman Albert Manifold on Tuesday over what the company described as serious concerns related to governance standards, oversight, and conduct. Manifold had held the position for less than a year.
Senior independent director Amanda Blanc said the board had been "surprised and disappointed to learn of governance oversight and conduct issues it deems unacceptable and has taken decisive action." Ian Tyler was appointed interim chair with immediate effect, and the company said it would begin searching for a permanent replacement.
Manifold joined BP in September 2025 as a non-executive director and was appointed chair the following month. At the time, BP described him as having a strong track record of strategic leadership. His removal came after BP reported profits of $3.2 billion between January and March, citing an exceptional performance in its oil trading business following the outbreak of the Iran war.
According to the BBC, the departure also followed last month's annual general meeting, at which nearly a fifth of shareholders voted against Manifold's election. That opposition was linked in part to BP's refusal to include a resolution filed by climate activists, with Manifold arguing the resolution had not been filed correctly.
AJ Bell's investment director Russ Mould noted the tension that had surrounded Manifold's tenure from the start. He said that even though there had been pressure for the company to move on from Manifold's predecessor, "not all investors were happy... judging by how 18% of shareholders voted against his appointment - and recommendations to do so from governance experts Glass Lewis - at April's AGM." Mould added that attempts to move annual general meetings to an online-only format and changes in how the company reported on climate issues had not sat well with some investors either.
BP shares fell 6 percent following the announcement. Interim chair Tyler said the board had deep conviction in the company's strategic direction and had been very impressed with chief executive Meg O'Neill, who took over last December. "She has already taken bold action to simplify and strengthen the organisation such as announcing the move to a clearly defined upstream/downstream model," Tyler said.
O'Neill replaced Murray Auchincloss, who stepped down less than two years after succeeding Bernard Looney. Looney quit in 2023 after being found to have committed serious misconduct by failing to disclose relationships with colleagues. The company's search for a permanent chair is now underway.
