BP Chairman Albert Manifold Removed Over Governance Issues

BP's chairman, Albert Manifold, has been removed from his position. This is the third senior executive departure in three years for the oil giant.
By Newsroom | Business, Energy |

Albert Manifold, chairman of the oil behemoth BP, has been unceremoniously removed from his post, effective immediately. The company's board cited "serious concerns" regarding governance and conduct, marking another turbulent chapter for the energy giant. This abrupt departure plunges BP into further uncertainty, following a period of significant leadership churn and strategic reorientation.

The board's decision, described as "unanimous," signals a decisive, albeit reactive, stance on perceived failings under Manifold's tenure. The company has not detailed the precise nature of these "unacceptable" governance and conduct issues.

Ian Tyler has been appointed interim chairman, tasked with steering the company until a permanent successor to Manifold is found. The departure comes on the heels of a difficult period for BP, which has struggled with flagging performance and persistent leadership instability.

BP removes chair Albert Manifold over ‘serious’ governance and conduct concerns - 1

A Cascade of Departures

Manifold's exit makes him the third senior BP executive to depart within three years. This pattern of high-level turnover underscores a deeper malaise at the company's helm. His removal follows closely behind the appointment of Meg O'Neill as the new chief executive in early April, replacing Murray Auchincloss. O'Neill's mandate includes implementing a recovery plan and a restructuring aimed at separating upstream (exploration and extraction) from downstream (refining and marketing) operations.

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Manifold himself was appointed chairman on October 1, 2025, succeeding Helge Lund. His tenure was reportedly linked to BP's pivot back towards fossil fuels, involving a reduction in investments in green energy assets in an attempt to bolster the company's struggling stock price. He also played a significant role in Auchincloss's departure and O'Neill's subsequent appointment.

Financial Undercurrents and Shareholder Dissent

Despite the leadership upheaval, BP reported a substantial increase in first-quarter profits, largely driven by its oil trading division. This surge was fueled by price volatility stemming from the conflict in the Middle East. However, this financial uptick did little to placate shareholders, who recently rejected two resolutions aimed at increasing transparency, particularly concerning the company's climate strategy. This shareholder discontent adds another layer of pressure to the already beleaguered leadership.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why was BP chairman Albert Manifold removed?
BP's board removed Albert Manifold as chairman due to serious concerns about governance and conduct. The board made this decision unanimously.
Q: Who is the new interim chairman at BP?
Ian Tyler has been appointed as the interim chairman of BP. He will lead the company until a permanent successor for Manifold is found.
Q: What are the recent leadership changes at BP?
Albert Manifold is the third senior BP executive to leave in three years. This follows the recent appointment of Meg O'Neill as chief executive in April.
Q: How has BP's financial performance been recently?
BP reported a large increase in first-quarter profits, mainly from its oil trading division due to price changes from the Middle East conflict. However, shareholders rejected two resolutions asking for more openness about the company's climate plans.