Former Balfour Beatty chief executive takes the top board role after three months as interim chair, completing another stage of BP’s leadership shake-up following the removal of his predecessor over conduct and governance concerns

BP has appointed former Balfour Beatty boss Ian Tyler as its permanent chairman after his predecessor Albert Manifold was ousted amid reported concerns over conduct, oversight and governance at the energy giant.

Tyler, who joined BP’s board as a non-executive director in April 2025 and became interim chair on May 26, takes the role immediately following a roughly three-month search involving both internal and external candidates.

His appointment comes during a major change at the top of the FTSE 100 company, with Meg O’Neill having taken over as chief executive in April and senior independent director Dame Amanda Blanc now confirming she will leave the board.

Manifold had joined BP in October in an effort to improve performance but was reportedly removed earlier this year after the company alleged concerns relating to his conduct, oversight and governance.

London-listed shares of BP reportedly fell as much as nine per cent on the news, before paring losses.

He has strongly disputed BP’s account, saying he entirely rejected its characterisation of his conduct and describing the company’s claims as “lies”.

Tyler brings extensive experience across energy, engineering and natural resources. Before beginning his board career, he spent 17 years at Balfour Beatty and served as chief executive from 2005 until 2013.

He is currently chairman of Grafton Group and senior independent director of Anglo American. Previous chairmanships include Cairn Energy, Vistry Group, Affinity Water, the Atomic Weapons Establishment and Al Noor Hospitals Group, while he also served as a non-executive director of BAE Systems between 2013 and 2022.

Tyler said today: “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.”

Dame Amanda, who oversaw the searches that resulted in the appointments of both Manifold and Tyler, has told the board she will not stand for re-election at BP’s 2027 annual meeting.

She will remain in post until a successor has been appointed as senior independent director.

Dame Amanda said: “It has been an honour to have served on the board of bp and as senior independent director.

“I will leave knowing that bp has a strong foundation with Meg and Ian now in place and wish them and the company every success for the future.”

READ MORE: BP profits more than double as oil price surge lifts trading business. The energy giant reported first-quarter profits of $3.2 billion after sharp swings in crude prices during the Iran conflict boosted returns from oil trading. 

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_{Main image: Ian Tyler, BP’s new chairman, following his appointment to the role after three months as interim chair. Credit: BP (composite image, The European)}