BP has removed chairman Albert Manifold following whistleblower complaints, the company confirmed. The move removes the head of the energy giant’s board, though the specific allegations behind the complaints have not been disclosed.
Abrupt leadership change
Manifold’s departure is immediate. He had served as BP’s chairman since 2020, overseeing a period of strategic shifts as the company pushed deeper into renewables while still relying heavily on oil and gas revenue. The board’s decision to remove him, rather than accept a resignation, signals the seriousness of the whistleblower issues.
Whistleblower complaints typically involve allegations of misconduct, fraud, or safety violations. BP has not said whether the complaints relate to Manifold personally or to broader corporate practices. The company also did not say who filed them or how many were made.
What comes next
A successor has not been named. The board’s senior independent director is expected to temporarily fill the role while a search gets underway. BP’s next annual meeting, where shareholders could vote on any permanent appointment, is months away.
Manifold’s removal adds uncertainty to a company already wrestling with calls to accelerate its energy transition. Investors will watch for the board’s next steps and any further disclosure about the complaints. BP has not commented on whether legal or regulatory reviews are underway.
