Why was BP's Board Chair Albert Manifold fired, and what specific reasons did the board cite?

BP’s board removed Chairman Albert Manifold with immediate effect due to 'serious concerns about governance standards, oversight and conduct.' According to Amanda Blanc, BP’s senior independent director, the board was 'surprised and disappointed to learn of governance oversight and conduct issues it deems unacceptable' and therefore took 'decisive action.' The statement makes no further elaboration on the nature or specifics of those issues, confirming only that they were judged unacceptable by the board.

Who replaced Albert Manifold as BP's chair, and what did the interim leader say about the company's strategic direction and new CEO?

Ian Tyler was appointed as interim chair following Manifold’s removal. In his statement, Tyler affirmed that BP’s leadership retains 'deep conviction in the strategic direction we have laid out' and said they have been 'very impressed with Meg O’Neill since she joined as CEO.' This signals continuity in support for O’Neill — who became BP’s first external CEO hire and Big Oil’s first female leader — despite the abrupt leadership upheaval at the board level.

BP Fires Board Chair on Governance Concerns Only Months Into Job

May 26, 2026

BP Plc removed Chairman Albert Manifold over governance concerns, causing shares to fall 6.4%. The board supports CEO Meg O'Neill's strategy to refocus on core oil and gas operations.

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