By Matthew Dalton, Adam Whittaker and Ben Dummett
Albert Manifold was an industry outsider tapped to oversee a turnaround at BP after years of upheaval. Now his abrupt departure has the major oil company facing a fresh bout of turmoil.
The London-based company this week removed Manifold from his post with immediate effect after its board received whistleblower reports that he was verbally abusive and bullying toward staff and had mishandled company information, according to people familiar with the matter.
The sudden departure -- just weeks into new Chief Executive Meg O'Neill's tenure -- sows fresh doubts about BP's governance after repeated leadership changes and strategic uncertainty in recent years.
Manifold arrived at BP last year to lead a turnaround of the oil company. A series of missteps, including a foray into renewable energy that failed to deliver promised returns, had left BP's shares lagging behind peers and investor confidence waning.
While the 63-year-old Irish executive had little experience in the oil-and-gas industry, investors saw his no-nonsense reputation -- and outsider status -- as being just what was needed to rejuvenate BP.
The big hope: That Manifold's track record of cutting costs and reshaping the portfolio of Dublin-based building-materials company CRH -- leading to a surge in its share price -- could be replicated at the British energy giant.
But Manifold brought an aggressive leadership style that executives at BP determined crossed the line into verbal abuse, the people familiar with the matter said.
Manifold denies that he was abusive. Rather, his efforts to shake up the company, cut waste and channel investment away from underperforming projects sparked a backlash that led to his dismissal, said a person close to him.
"During my time as chairman I worked to drive genuine change at BP, cutting costs, challenging excess, and holding the organisation to higher standards," Manifold said. "I dispute entirely the characterisation of my conduct and I will not allow a false narrative to go unchallenged."
He has hired law firm Mishcon de Reya to advise him in connection with his ouster.
Manifold's hands-on approach at times created friction between the chairman and senior management -- including the company's new CEO, according to people familiar with the matter.
O'Neill, who has decades of experience in the energy industry, took the helm of BP in April. A trailblazing engineer, she is the first woman to lead one of the world's major oil companies.
As chairman of BP, Manifold's inclination was to act like an executive chairman rather than as a more hands-off nonexecutive role, people familiar with his leadership style said.
Many of Manifold's moves to cut costs, sell assets and reduce debt were welcomed by investors, including activist hedge fund Elliott Investment Management.
One fund manager who met with him earlier this year said his uncompromising approach was a breath of fresh air compared to BP's previous management. The fund manager was struck, however, by how frequently Manifold swore.
Manifold's use of coarse language features frequently in discussions with those that talked to him -- though people close to him insist he doesn't direct such language at people.
At BP's annual shareholder meeting last month, shareholders representing 18% of its stock voted against Manifold's election as chair of the board. The figure was a significant rebuke from investors, who typically give directors near-unanimous backing.
Some investors said the vote reflected unhappiness with the company's decision to block a vote on a climate resolution from an activist shareholder group.
Manifold's abrupt departure adds to the leadership turmoil that has hamstrung BP in recent years. The company has now had four chief executives and three chairmen since 2023, including interim roles. Numerous executives and other board directors have also left the business as it executes a major strategic shift to boost oil and gas production.
BP's last permanent CEO, Murray Auchincloss, stepped down from the job with just a day's notice in December. His predecessor, Bernard Looney, resigned in September 2023 over disclosures around past relationships with colleagues.
Manifold's dismissal so early in his tenure raises questions about BP's vetting process but also shows that the company's governance mechanisms are working, said Carolyn Clarke, a co-founder of London-based corporate-governance consulting firm BRAVE Within.
"It suggests BP has a culture that does not tolerate excessive poor behavior," Clarke said, "even at the top when the risk of reputational damage is clear."
Write to Matthew Dalton at Matthew.Dalton@wsj.com, Adam Whittaker at adam.whittaker@wsj.com and Ben Dummett at ben.dummett@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
May 27, 2026 15:39 ET (19:39 GMT)
Copyright (c) 2026 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
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