BP has appointed Ian Tyler as its new permanent chairman, ending a three-month search process following the removal of his predecessor over conduct concerns.
Tyler, the former boss of Balfour Beatty, had been serving as interim chairman since May after joining the BP board as a non-executive director the previous year.
The FTSE 100 energy giant confirmed that Tyler will assume the role immediately, bringing stability to a leadership structure that has faced significant turbulence in recent months.
The appointment formally replaces Albert Manifold, who was removed from the chairman position earlier this year after BP reported “serious concerns” related to his conduct, oversight and governance.
Manifold had only joined the business in October in a bid to improve performance at the struggling oil major, making his removal a particularly sharp and public reversal.
He disputed the circumstances of his departure, saying he “entirely” rejected the characterisation of his conduct laid out by his former employer and that he rejected their “lies.”
The chairmanship change is part of a broader leadership overhaul at BP, which also saw Meg O’Neill take over as chief executive in April of this year.
Tyler outlined his priorities upon assuming the permanent role, stating he intends to reshape the board to meet the company’s long-term needs.
“I will lead the board’s evolution, ensuring we have the depth, experience and capabilities needed to support the company’s strategic priorities and long-term value creation,” Tyler said.
“I am committed to establishing regular and transparent engagement with our shareholders, while continuing to support the wider leadership team as they deliver the performance and value our shareholders rightfully expect,” he added.
In a further leadership development, Dame Amanda Blanc, BP’s senior independent director who oversaw the appointments of both Manifold and Tyler, confirmed she will not stand for re-election and will step down next year.
Blanc reflected warmly on her time with the company despite the turbulent period that marked her final months in the role.
“It has been an honour to have served on the board of BP and as senior independent director,” she said.
“I will leave knowing that BP has a strong foundation with Meg and Ian now in place, and wish them and the company every success for the future,” Blanc added.
The departure of Blanc means BP will lose another senior governance figure, adding further pressure on Tyler and O’Neill to demonstrate strategic momentum to shareholders.
BP shares trade on the London Stock Exchange under the ticker BP.L, and investors will be watching closely to see whether the new permanent leadership structure can stabilise confidence in the company.
