BP's Board of Directors unanimously decided to remove Albert Manifold from his position as Chair and Director, effective immediately, citing serious concerns regarding governance standards, oversight, and conduct. The announcement, made on May 26, 2026, highlighted a pattern of behavior deemed unacceptable by the board.
Amanda Blanc, BP's Senior Independent Director, stated that while Manifold had brought focus to BP's transformation, the board was surprised and disappointed by the issues, leading to decisive action. Ian Tyler has been appointed as Interim Chair, with a succession process for a permanent Chair to be initiated.
Sources close to the company indicated that Manifold faced allegations of bullying and overly aggressive behavior, with some describing his control as more akin to an executive chair. Whistleblower complaints against him were reportedly received through BP's internal helpline. His removal comes less than a year after his appointment and just weeks after Meg O'Neill took over as CEO.
Shares in BP experienced a 4% decline on the day of the announcement, reflecting investor concerns. The company's leadership, including Interim Chair Ian Tyler and CEO Meg O'Neill, remains committed to the strategic direction, emphasizing a focus on operational performance and financial discipline, and a simplified upstream/downstream model under O'Neill's leadership.
This leadership shake-up is the latest in a series of boardroom upheavals for BP, following previous changes in strategy and management, including former CEO Bernard Looney's removal. Shareholders, who had previously shown some dissent against Manifold's election, are now seeking stability and clarity amidst the ongoing turbulence.
