BP removes chairman Albert Manifold amid governance concerns

BP has removed its chairman, Albert Manifold, with immediate effect after its board raised serious concerns about governance standards, oversight, and conduct. The board's unanimous decision was announced on Tuesday, marking an abrupt end to Manifold's tenure less than a year after his appointment.

The company stated that board member Ian Tyler has been appointed interim chair and that a process to find a permanent replacement has begun. In a statement, senior independent director Amanda Blanc acknowledged that Manifold had helped bring focus and pace to the company's transformation but said the board had been "surprised and disappointed to learn of governance oversight and conduct issues it deems unacceptable and has taken decisive action."

Manifold was appointed chairman in July 2025, succeeding Helge Lund. He joined the oil giant after a decade as chief executive of the building materials firm CRH. His appointment came during a period of significant leadership instability for the London-based company. Former chief executive Bernard Looney resigned in 2023 over allegations concerning past workplace relationships. His successor, Murray Auchincloss, stepped down in late 2025...