BP has dismissed Albert Manifold as chair and director with immediate effect due to what it described as “serious concerns” relating to governance standards, oversight, and conduct.
The decision followed unanimous agreement by the board.
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The UK-based energy company announced the decision on Tuesday, less than a year since Manifold’s appointment and during a time of senior leadership change.
BP’s board did not disclose specific details about the governance or conduct matters.
BP senior independent director Amanda Blanc 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.”
The decision comes after scrutiny of Manifold’s leadership at recent shareholder meetings and from governance advisory groups.
Ian Tyler has been appointed interim chair with immediate effect. He previously held executive positions in the building and utilities sectors and has served as an independent non-executive director at BP since April 2025.
BP has indicated that the formal process for selecting a permanent chair is now underway.
Tyler said: “The board and leadership team have deep conviction in the strategic direction we have laid out, and the company is moving at pace to deliver it. BP is building a track record of strong underlying operational performance and a tight focus on financial discipline – all in the pursuit of growing shareholder value and returns.”
Manifold was appointed chair in July 2025, taking over from Helge Lund, who had served in the role for six years.
During BP’s annual general meeting in April 2026, more than 18% of investors voted against Manifold’s re-election, reported The Financial Times.
Shareholder advisory group Glass Lewis had raised concerns about governance and recommended that shareholders oppose his reappointment. Manifold previously served as chief executive of building materials group CRH.
The chair’s removal marks the latest in a series of executive changes at BP. In December, BP named Meg O’Neill, a former Woodside Energy executive, as Chief Executive. She replaced Murray Auchincloss, who had been in the post for less than two years.
O’Neill’s appointment was intended to stabilise the company following the departure of Bernard Looney in 2023.
Looney left BP after admitting he had not previously disclosed the extent of past personal relationships with company employees, making him the third chief executive to leave under contentious circumstances since 2007.
Tyler said: “The board has been very impressed with Meg O’Neill since she joined as CEO. She has extensive industry and operational experience and real clarity about the direction and opportunity for the business.
“She has already taken bold action to simplify and strengthen the organisation such as announcing the move to a clearly defined upstream/downstream model. Under her leadership we are building a simpler, stronger, more valuable BP.”
Last month, BP reported a net profit attributable to shareholders of $3.8bn for the first quarter of 2026. This marked an increase of 453.1% from $687m in the same period of 2025.
Sales and other operating revenue for the quarter ended 31 March 2026 increased by 11.5% to $52.3bn, from $46.9bn a year earlier.
