BP removes chair Albert Manifold over serious' governance and conduct concerns

BP removed Albert Manifold as chair with immediate effect after the board cited serious concerns about governance standards, oversight, and conduct. The company did not provide further details, and BP shares fell sharply following the announcement. Manifold had been appointed to the board in October 2025 and was responsible for overseeing a strategic change that refocused on fossil fuel extraction and ended renewable energy investments. He replaced BP’s chief executive Murray Auchincloss after less than two years, and Meg O’Neill took over in December. Manifold was the second senior leader removed for conduct reasons within three years, following Bernard Looney’s departure in 2023 over undisclosed sexual relationships. BP appointed Ian Tyler as interim chair, effective immediately.

"BP has removed its chair, Albert Manifold, with the oil company's board saying it had serious concerns about important governance standards, oversight and conduct. The FTSE 100 company announced Manifold's departure with immediate effect on Tuesday, without giving further details. He lasted only eight months in the role. BP's share price slumped by 9% in the minutes after the announcement just before lunchtime in London before recovering slightly to a6% decline, making it the FTSE's top faller."

"Amanda Blanc, the senior independent director at BP and chief executive of the financial firm Aviva, said: Albert has helped bring a welcome focus and pace to BP's transformation. However, the board has been surprised and disappointed to learn of governance oversight and conduct issues it deems unacceptable and has taken decisive action. Manifold was appointed to BP's board in October 2025. He was tasked with overseeing a change in the oil company's strategy, refocusing on fossil fuel extraction and ditching renewable energy investments."

"Manifold rapidly ousted BP's chief executive, Murray Auchincloss, after less than two years in the role. He hired Meg O'Neill to take over in December. Manifold is the second senior leader at BP to lose his job for conduct reasons within three years. Auchincloss's predecessor, Bernard Looney, was forced out in September 2023 for failing to disclose sexual relationships with colleagues when he was made chief executive. Looney was later denied 32m in pay and shares after BP's board said it had been misled."

"BP has appointed board member Ian Tyler as interim chair with immediate effect. Tyler is a former chief executive of the FTSE 250 infrastructure group Balfour Beatty. He is also chair of Grafton Group, a FTSE 250 building supplies company, and a director at the FTSE 100 mining firm Anglo American."

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