BP has dismissed its chairman, Albert Manifold, after just eight months in the role amid allegations of bullying and verbal abuse, the company confirmed in a statement released yesterday. The decision comes after the board identified conduct and governance issues it found unacceptable, prompting an immediate departure. Ian Tyler, the senior independent director, will serve as interim chairman.

Manifold’s exit represents the latest in a series of rapid leadership changes at BP, which has now appointed five chief executives and three chairmen since 2020. His short tenure heightened concerns about ongoing instability within one of the United Kingdom’s largest oil companies. The announcement led to a drop of more than 4 percent in BP’s share price, erasing over £3 billion in market value, reflecting investor unease.

Sources close to the board described Manifold as having a “volcanic” temper and engaging in behavior that crossed the line between toughness and abusive conduct. Allegations included bullying and verbal abuse of both junior and senior staff, with some describing his approach as inflexible and intolerant of dissent. Though the energy sector is known for its demanding culture, insiders said Manifold had gone beyond accepted norms, leading to a breakdown in trust and workplace morale. A board source noted that concerns also arose regarding his involvement in day-to-day operations and whether vital information was properly shared with directors, raising governance worries.

Manifold’s appointment last July surprised some observers due to his limited experience in oil and gas; he joined BP from a decade-long tenure as CEO of the cement manufacturer CRH. Despite reservations about his fit for such a large and complex energy company, the board selected him to drive a strategic reset, shifting BP’s focus away from renewables and toward upstream fossil fuel production. He was integral in reshaping senior management, including appointing Meg O’Neill as chief executive last month.

O’Neill, BP’s first external CEO in its history, has already moved swiftly to simplify the company’s structure into two main divisions: upstream operations focusing on oil and gas production, and downstream refining and retail. While Manifold had been seen as a key architect of this strategic pivot, interim chairman Tyler emphasized that the board remains committed to the company’s new direction and praised O’Neill’s “bold action” in strengthening BP’s position.

Manifold characterized his removal as sudden and declined further comment. Dame Amanda Blanc, BP’s senior independent director, expressed disappointment at the circumstances surrounding his departure, acknowledging his early contributions but underscoring the board’s responsibility to uphold governance standards.

This latest leadership upheaval adds to a history of turbulence at BP, which has faced high-profile executive exits in recent years linked to various controversies and strategic challenges. Analysts highlight the pattern as damaging to BP’s reputation and raise questions about the company’s ability to maintain stable leadership amid a challenging energy transition and a competitive market environment. Shareholders and industry watchers will be closely monitoring BP as it seeks to steady its governance and execute its revised business strategy.