BP has formalized the appointment of Ian Tyler as chair, following an extended search process to replace Albert Manifold, who was removed from the position in late May after a brief tenure marked by governance and conduct concerns.
Tyler, who has served in an interim capacity since taking a board seat in April 2025, will now assume the role permanently. His appointment was led by Amanda Blanc, BP’s senior independent director, who also announced her intention to step down at the company’s annual meeting next year. Blanc had previously overseen the recruitment process that brought Manifold into the position, and faced criticism after his rapid departure. In announcing Manifold’s exit, Blanc cited governance oversight and conduct issues deemed unacceptable by the board, while Manifold disputed the characterization and stated he had been terminated without warning.
Tyler brings extensive corporate experience, having previously served as chief executive of construction firm Balfour Beatty and currently chairing Grafton Group and serving as senior independent director of Anglo American. His previous board roles include positions at Cairn Energy, Vistry Group, and BAE Systems. In his new position, Tyler will oversee implementation of BP’s strategic shift toward refocused fossil fuel extraction and reduced renewable energy commitments.
The appointment marks a significant moment for BP, which has experienced considerable executive and board-level instability in recent years. Chief Executive Meg O’Neill, who took office in April, represents the company’s third leader in less than five years, following the departures of Bernard Looney and Murray Auchincloss. Activist investors have exerted pressure on the company to improve operational performance, with hedge fund Elliott Investment Management establishing a stake last year.
Tyler stated his commitment to evolving the board’s capabilities and maintaining shareholder engagement, while acknowledging the need to ensure appropriate governance oversight. However, governance advocates raised questions about his ability to address underlying structural issues, noting that his board tenure dating to 2025 means he shares responsibility for recent governance challenges that have included significant shareholder protest votes at recent meetings.
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