BP Chairman Dismissal

CNBC reported Wednesday that former BP Chairman Albert Manifold is pushing back forcefully against conduct allegations following his sudden removal from the British energy giant. Manifold told CNBC directly that he was let go without any prior notice or justification, and that he wholly rejects how his behaviour has been characterised.

Manifold Breaks Silence on Shock BP Exit

BP’s board announced Manifold’s dismissal on Tuesday, citing what it called serious concerns around governance standards, oversight, and personal conduct. The move came roughly seven months into his tenure, having joined the role after a long career leading Irish building materials group CRH.

Senior independent director Amanda Blanc acknowledged Manifold’s contribution to the company’s ongoing restructuring programme. However, she made clear the board was both surprised and disappointed upon learning of the conduct and oversight issues it found unacceptable.

Several media outlets separately cited anonymous sources in reporting that Manifold had behaved aggressively toward colleagues during his brief time at the company. He has firmly denied that characterisation.

“During my time as chairman I worked to drive genuine change at BP, cutting costs, challenging excess, and holding the organisation to higher standards,” Manifold said in an emailed statement to CNBC. “I will not allow a false narrative to go unchallenged,” he added.

BP shares fell 1.7% on Wednesday morning in London trading following the news.

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A Pattern of Boardroom Instability at BP

BP’s governance track record has faced recurring scrutiny in recent years. The company previously navigated the departure of former CEO Bernard Looney in 2023 after he admitted to providing incomplete information about personal relationships with colleagues. That episode drew significant attention to how BP handles senior leadership conduct.

Manifold’s removal reopens those questions at a critical moment. The company has been midway through a strategic pivot, working to restore investor confidence after years of underperformance relative to peers like Shell and ExxonMobil.

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What Comes Next for BP’s Board

BP has not yet named a replacement chairman, and the vacancy adds uncertainty during a pivotal period for the company. Investors will be watching closely for how quickly the board can stabilise and who it selects to lead its oversight function.

The episode also raises broader questions about recruitment and vetting processes at FTSE 100 boardrooms, where tenure of under a year for a chair-level appointment is highly unusual and invariably disruptive.

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