BP's boardroom turmoil deepened on Thursday as its ousted chair, Albert Manifold, pushed back against allegations about his conduct, calling them “lies.” In a detailed statement, Manifold disputed reports that he behaved aggressively toward colleagues and sought to exert excessive control over the company.
Manifold, who was appointed chair in October 2025, was removed with immediate effect on Tuesday after less than a year in the role. BP expressed serious concerns about his governance standards, oversight, and conduct. Media reports, citing anonymous sources, described his behavior as aggressive.
In his statement, Manifold said, “At no point in my tenure as chairman of BP has anyone raised with me any issue about my conduct or my relationship with my colleagues.” He dismissed reports that he wanted to act like an executive chair as “nonsense,” noting that he had “many other commitments” and had spent only 13 days in BP’s London office this year.
Manifold acknowledged that he may have “pushed hard and challenged people directly” in his determination to drive change on costs, performance, and shareholder communications. However, he argued that there is a “considerable distance between driving an organization with urgency and the characterization of my conduct that is now being put about.” He added that such accusations had never been made during his 40-year career.
Manifold also revealed that he had turned down many executive perks, including chauffeur-driven cars, private jets, and corporate hospitality, which he described as a “culture of entitlement.” He said he walked, took taxis, and made his own coffee to “set an example” while the company was cutting costs and jobs.
Despite the controversy, Manifold praised BP’s executive team under CEO Meg O’Neill as “honest, hard-working, and brimming with integrity.” BP has confirmed that it will continue the strategy overseen by Manifold, which refocused on fossil fuel extraction and ditched renewable energy investments. Interim chair Ian Tyler, former CEO of Balfour Beatty, has been appointed while a permanent replacement is sought.
BP responded to Manifold’s statement, saying, “We note the comments of our former chair. We stand by the statement we have made. We have a duty of care to all our employees, particularly those impacted by his behavior.”
