BP names Ian Tyler as its third chair in less than a year

British oil giant BP named Ian Tyler as its new chair four months after the firm's board fired Albert Manifold citing "serious concerns" over "important governance standards" and allegations regarding his personal conduct. File photo by Neil Hall/EPA Sept. 2 (UPI) -- British oil giant BP on Wednesday confirmed Ian Tyler as its new chair to replace Albert Manifold who was removed by the firm's board citing "serious concerns" regarding "important governance standards, oversight and conduct." BP said that the appointment of Tyler, who had been serving as interim chair since late May, was effective immediatey, saying in a news release that the long-time non-executive director had been chosen following a thorough search process involving candidates from inside and outside the company. The firm said that Tyler had worked with at least 15 CEOs across an extensive career in executive and non-executive roles at energy, resources and engineering companies, including Cairn Energy, BAE Systems and Anglo American. Tyler said he would focus on progressing the board to ensure it had the "experience and capabilities needed to support the company's strategic priorities and long-term value creation." "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." BP Senior Independent Director Amanda Blanc welcomed his selection as the unaminous choice of the board, saying he had already proved himself during his time as interim chair, "Ian brings significant experience providing challenge and support to executive teams, while maintaining strong governance and oversight on behalf of shareholders. These qualities have been evident during his time as Interim Chair, where he has secured the confidence of the board and executive management through his considered leadership, judgement and integrity," said Blanc who is the CEO of insurer Aviva. Tyler's appointment brings to close a leadership revolving door at the FTSE-100 blue chip firm since CEO Bernard Looney quit in 2023 amid allegations regarding sexual relationships with subordinates. Chairman Helge Lund, who announced his intention to quit the board this year back in April 2025, was succeeded by Manifold in October. Manifold was in turn ousted in May following a shareholder revolt at BP's AGM after receiving a less-than-resounding endorsement in a vote electing him as Lund's replacement who had himself been on the receiving end of shareholder ire at the April 2025 meeting when almost one quarter of shareholders voted not to re-elect him as chair. Blanc at the time praised Manifold for the "focus and pace " he had injected into the transformation BP was undergoing but said unacceptable governance oversight and conduct issues had left the board with no choice. Manifold pushed back vociferously against the charges against the allegations surrounding his peformance, and in particular the conduct issues, which were never officially revealed. "During my time as chairman I worked to drive genuine change at BP -- cutting costs, challenging excess, and holding the organization to higher standards," Manifold said in a statement at the time. "I dispute entirely the characterization of my conduct, and I will not allow a false narrative to go unchallenged," said Manifold. Read More BP posts 143% profit hike as Iran war sends oil and gas prices skyward BP puts North Sea oil fields up for sale as part of restructuring Ousted Chair Manifold disputes behavior allegations from BP board BP Chair Helge Lund to step down in 2026, succession search underway