BP confirms Ian Tyler as permanent chair as Amanda Blanc to leave

BP PLC confirmed Interim Chair Ian Tyler as permanent chair from Wednesday, as the oil major sought to put behind it a period of boardroom drama.

BP also said Amanda Blanc will not stand for re-election as a BP board member at the 2027 annual general meeting, which BP holds in April. She will step down from the board once a successor as senior independent director is appointed, it said.

Tyler's appointment as chair follows the departure of former chair Albert Manifold, who was reportedly ousted from the London-based company in May after the board cited serious concerns over his conduct, oversight and governance.

Media reports following the move cited sources close to the company who said Manifold had engaged in bullying and aggressive behaviour towards other staff.

Manifold rejected the claims, stating that he had pushed hard to reduce costs and had challenged what he considered unnecessary or excessive spending, including the use of chauffeur-driven limousines and private aviation.

In July, the Telegraph newspaper reported that before his ouster, Manifold was seeking to remove Blanc, who also is chief executive officer of insurer Aviva PLC.

Since Manifold's departure, Tyler, who joined the BP board as a non-executive director in April 2025, has served as interim chair.

Tyler also chairs building materials firm Grafton Group PLC and is senior independent director of miner Anglo American PLC. He previously chaired Cairn Energy PLC and served as a non-executive director of BAE Systems PLC.

Tyler said: "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. 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."

Shares in BP were down 0.7% at 537.50 pence per share on Wednesday morning in London.

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