BP Ousts Chair Albert Manifold Over Conduct Concerns

British oil giant BP abruptly removed its chairman, Albert Manifold, citing serious governance and conduct concerns. The board unanimously decided to oust him less than a year after his appointment, effective immediately.

The company's senior independent director, Amanda Blanc, stated that the board was 'surprised and disappointed' by the issues they deemed unacceptable. Manifold had previously led Dublin-based global building materials company CRH and was appointed to redirect BP as it faced falling demand in recent years.

The removal of Manifold marks another leadership upheaval at BP, following the departure of former CEO Bernard Looney in 2023 over undisclosed personal relationships with colleagues. The company has also seen significant changes in its strategic direction, shifting focus back to oil and gas production after briefly pursuing renewable energy investments.

Manifold's tenure was marked by controversy, including a shareholder revolt at the annual general meeting where he received less than resounding support for his re-election. Despite his short time in the role, Manifold had already made significant changes to BP's executive team and strategy.

The ousted chair has disputed reports about his conduct, stating that he was 'removed without warning and without explanation.' In an emailed statement, Manifold said he 'disputed entirely the characterisation of my conduct' and vowed not to let a false narrative go unchallenged. According to reports, senior colleagues felt belittled by Manifold, who was also seen as trying to exert control as if he were an executive rather than a chair.

In his statement, Manifold claimed that at no point during his tenure had anyone raised concerns about his conduct or relationships with colleagues. He described media reports suggesting he wanted to exert executive-level control over BP as 'nonsense.' According to The Guardian, Manifold stated he had only spent 13 days in BP's London office this year due to other commitments.

Manifold acknowledged that he may have pushed hard and challenged people directly in his efforts to drive change on costs, performance, the balance sheet, and shareholder communications. However, he disputed specific reports about his behavior, stating there is a considerable difference between driving an organization with urgency and the characterization of his conduct being reported.

Ian Tyler, chair of construction materials distributor Grafton Group and a BP board member since April 2025, will serve as interim chair while the company begins its search for a permanent replacement. The news sent BP's shares sliding 4-5% on both the NYSE and London Stock Exchange.

BP signalled it would continue the strategy after Manifold’s departure, as it begins its search for its third chair in two years. Rich McDonald, a financial markets presenter at IG, commented that Manifold’s firing represented 'another leadership shock at one of Britain’s most important companies,' raising questions about BP's governance.