BP Names Ian Tyler Permanent Chair After Manifold's Abrupt Exit

BP p.l.c. (NYSE: BP) has named Ian Tyler as its permanent chair with immediate effect, completing a leadership search launched after the company abruptly removed former chair Albert Manifold in May.

Tyler has served as interim chair since May 26, when BP's board unanimously removed Manifold, citing what the company described as serious concerns relating to governance standards, oversight and conduct. BP did not provide further details at the time. The permanent appointment puts Tyler alongside CEO Meg O'Neill at the head of a company undergoing a significant strategic and organizational overhaul.

Tyler joined BP's board as a non-executive director in April 2025. His previous roles include chairing Cairn Energy, now Capricorn Energy, and serving on the board of defense contractor BAE Systems. He is currently chair of building materials distributor Grafton Group and senior independent director at Anglo American, and earlier spent 17 years at Balfour Beatty, including eight years as chief executive.

The changes come as BP attempts to improve returns and rebuild investor confidence. The company reset its strategy in 2025 around a growing upstream business, a more focused downstream portfolio and more selective investment in transition businesses, expecting oil and gas investment of roughly $10 billion annually while cutting planned spending on transition businesses to $1.5 billion-$2 billion per year through 2027. Tyler said his priorities as chair will include reshaping the board and increasing engagement with shareholders.

Further board turnover is already planned. Senior Independent Director Dame Amanda Blanc, who led the search for BP's permanent chair, has told the board she will not seek re-election at the company's 2027 annual meeting, and will remain in place until BP appoints her successor.