BP appointed Ian Tyler as its permanent chair on September 2, promoting the former Balfour Beatty chief executive from the interim role he had held since May. Tyler joined the BP board as a non-executive director in April 2025 and stepped in as interim chair on May 26 after the board removed Albert Manifold with immediate effect.
Manifold, appointed only in late 2024, was removed after less than eight months amid what the board described as "serious concerns" over governance oversight and conduct; he later said he had been dismissed "without warning and without explanation" and disputed the characterisation of his conduct. Amanda Blanc, BP's senior independent director, led the search that produced Tyler's permanent appointment.
A steady hand after a bruising year
Blanc said Tyler "brings significant experience providing challenge and support to executive teams, while maintaining strong governance and oversight on behalf of shareholders." His confirmation ends a period in which BP burned through three chairs in a year and became the target of activist scrutiny, most publicly from Elliott Investment Management, which pushed for tighter capital discipline.
Tyler's message to shareholders
In his own statement, Tyler said he would "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," and committed to "regular and transparent engagement with our shareholders." BP added that Tyler will review his existing board commitments to ensure he can dedicate the appropriate time to the role.
The chair change lands as BP recasts its strategy back toward oil and gas, simplifies its portfolio and pursues divestments of lower-returning assets — the ground on which chief executive Murray Auchincloss and the new chair will now work together.
