Dame Amanda Blanc, chief executive of Aviva, is facing questions from the insurer’s shareholders regarding the amount of time she has devoted to the ongoing crisis at BP, where she serves as senior independent director. Blanc, who has led Aviva for six years, has become embroiled in controversy following the abrupt removal last month of BP chairman Albert Manifold, a process she helped oversee as part of the BP board.

Blanc played a central role in the appointment of Manifold as BP chairman last year and subsequently led the search for his replacement after his sudden departure. The situation has escalated with Manifold engaging the law firm Mishcon de Reya and reportedly considering legal action against BP. The tensions at BP have prompted some investors in Aviva to express concern about whether Blanc’s involvement with BP is diverting attention from her responsibilities at the UK’s largest composite insurer, which offers both general insurance and life coverage.

Two major fund management firms with stakes in Aviva indicated they plan to raise the issue with Blanc in upcoming discussions. A top investor at one firm described the matter as a cautionary example of the potential pitfalls of holding non-executive positions, especially when they demand far more time and involvement than anticipated. “I suspect this is probably more than Amanda had bargained for,” the investor said, highlighting the prolonged dispute caused by Manifold’s refusal to leave quietly.

BP stated it removed Manifold due to “serious concerns related to important governance standards, oversight and conduct.” Allegations of bullying behavior have surfaced, though Manifold has denied these claims, describing them as “lies” and disputing characterizations of his leadership style in the company.

The ongoing public dispute marks a significant moment for both BP and Aviva. The scrutiny extends to how BP’s board managed both Manifold’s original appointment and his departure, placing Blanc at the centre of boardroom controversy during a critical juncture for Aviva. The insurer is currently focused on integrating Direct Line, a motor insurance firm it acquired in a £3.7 billion deal last year. The purchase represents a strategic shift under Blanc’s leadership after a period of divestments that saw Aviva concentrate its operations in the UK, Ireland, and Canada.

Under Blanc’s stewardship, Aviva has returned over £11 billion to shareholders since 2020 and seen a significant rise in its share price, a point noted by investors despite the BP-related distractions. A fund manager praised Blanc’s performance, calling her restructuring efforts “amazing,” while an Aviva insider emphasized her dedication, noting the company’s share price has increased by over 50 percent since she joined the BP board in September 2022.

As the situation at BP continues to unfold, the focus remains on whether Blanc can balance her dual roles without compromising the insurer’s ongoing strategic objectives.