Ousted Chair Manifold disputes behavior allegations from BP board

May 27 (UPI) -- Ousted BP board Chair Albert Manifold challenges the allegations of his behavior cited for his removal.

In a statement to CNBC, Manifold said he was removed "without warning and without explanation" and that he disputes "entirely the characterization" of his conduct.

The BP board announced his removal Tuesday after just months in the position of chair and director. He was appointed in July to replace outgoing Chair Helge Lund. His interim replacement is BP board member Ian Tyler, a director of Anglo American and former CEO of British construction company Balfour Beatty.

Amanda Blanc, senior independent director at BP, said the board was "surprised and disappointed to learn of governance oversight and conduct issues it deems unacceptable."

Several media outlets have cited anonymous sources reporting Manifold had acted aggressively with colleagues. The Financial Times reported that senior colleagues felt he belittled them and acted as if he were a CEO instead of a board chair. One person described him as "shouty" and said, "They thought they were hiring a tough change agent; they didn't think they were hiring a bully."

But Manifold said he takes issue with these characterizations.

"During my time as chairman I worked to drive genuine change at BP -- cutting costs, challenging excess, and holding the organization to higher standards," Manifold said in a statement. "I dispute entirely the characterization of my conduct, and I will not allow a false narrative to go unchallenged."

The company had been going through a transformation, moving back to oil and gas and away from renewable energy. In that movement, Manifold hired Former Woodside Energy CEO Meg O'Neill as CEO, replacing Murray Auchincloss.

FT also reported that Manifold tried to restrict O'Neill's ability to meet with company directors.

Rich McDonald, a financial journalist and host of Trade Live with IG, said the change is "another leadership shock at one of Britain's most important companies," and asked "whether BP is becoming increasingly ungovernable," The Guardian reported.

Climate research group ACCR said BP's board should give "a full and transparent account" of exactly what led to Manifold's ouster.

"Manifold has exacerbated the broken governance inherited from his predecessor," said Mark van Baal of Follow This, a climate activist investor organization, in a statement. "Instead of listening to shareholders, he refused a validly filed shareholder resolution.

"BP chose to remove Manifold rather than reform its governance," van Baal added. "The new chair must bring real expertise in governance, climate risk, and transition risk, otherwise nothing changes."

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This story was originally published May 27, 2026 at 10:26 AM.