BP Removes Chair Albert Manifold Over Governance Concerns

BP said on Tuesday it had removed its chair, Albert Manifold, citing undisclosed “serious concerns” about governance standards, oversight and conduct. The departure took effect immediately, just eight months after Manifold joined the board in October 2025. BP shares fell about 6% after the announcement, making the company the biggest decliner on the FTSE 100 at the time.

The company did not provide further details about the concerns. A senior board director said the board had been “surprised and disappointed” to learn of issues it considered unacceptable and that it had acted decisively.

BP named board member Ian Tyler as interim chair with immediate effect. Tyler previously led Balfour Beatty and also holds roles at Grafton Group and Anglo American, BP said.

Leadership changes and strategy shift

Manifold was appointed to BP’s board in October 2025 and was tasked with overseeing a shift in the company’s strategy. The company has refocused on fossil-fuel extraction and reduced emphasis on renewable energy investments, according to the report.

During his short tenure, Manifold made rapid leadership changes. He replaced chief executive Murray Auchincloss—who had been in the role for less than two years—and hired Meg O’Neill to take over in December.

Corporate governance under scrutiny

The removal marks the second time in about three years that a senior BP leader has lost their job over conduct-related issues. Bernard Looney, Auchincloss’s predecessor, was dismissed in September 2023 for failing to disclose personal relationships with colleagues when he was appointed chief executive.

BP later denied Looney about £32 million in pay and shares after the board said it had been misled. The repeated leadership disruptions have kept attention on BP’s governance as the company continues to reset strategy and management.

BP has not said when it expects to appoint a permanent chair.