BP Removes Chairman Albert Manifold Amid Bullying Allegations BP’s abrupt removal of chairman Albert Manifold has exposed deep tensions inside the oil major’s boardroom over leadership style, governance and access to power.

Escalating concerns over style and access

Before his ouster, several large investors had already found Manifold difficult to deal with, describing him as “challenging” and hard to secure meetings with, raising early questions about transparency and engagement at the top of the company.

Inside BP, colleagues grew alarmed as Manifold’s “hands-on approach” was increasingly perceived as aggressive, culminating in whistleblower bullying allegations that set formal processes in motion. At the same time, his behaviour and use of personal devices were flagged as additional governance concerns, compounding unease on the board and adding pressure on chief executive Meg O’Neill.

Flashpoints in the boardroom

In the days leading up to his removal, Manifold clashed with BP’s company secretary, Ben Mathews, in a dispute that became a key flashpoint in the saga. The upheaval was serious enough that Mathews subsequently took time off work, underlining the strain within the governance machinery of the group.

As directors weighed the whistleblower claims alongside internal frictions, the board moved to remove Manifold as chair, formally citing bullying allegations and concerns over his management style.

Manifold’s defence and investor reaction

Manifold has forcefully rejected the characterisation of his conduct, insisting he simply “pushed hard” for performance at the FTSE oil group and denouncing criticism of his behaviour as “lies.” His allies frame the dispute as a clash between an assertive turnaround style and a board uncomfortable with intense pressure.

Some shareholders, however, see his removal as a necessary reset after a “bullying” scandal that underscored gaps in BP’s governance culture and communication with investors. The episode now leaves the company’s leadership under scrutiny as it tries to stabilise the board and reassure the market.

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