BP Ousts Chairman Albert Manifold Over Bullying Allegations BP’s abrupt removal of chairman Albert Manifold has exposed deep strains in the oil major’s boardroom, raising questions about governance, leadership style and the board’s own judgment during a critical corporate turnaround.

In the months leading up to his ouster, concerns mounted over Manifold’s behaviour and management style. An investigation into the boardroom “bullying” scandal cited both his conduct and his use of personal devices as factors in his removal, piling additional pressure on chief executive Meg O’Neill. A detailed account of the saga described how BP “removes chair Albert Manifold after claims of bullying”, noting that his hands‑on approach was viewed by several colleagues as aggressive.

Tensions spiked after Manifold “clashed with company secretary before removal”, an episode after which company secretary Ben Mathews took time off work amid the upheaval. Large investors were also frustrated: one report said “Several BP Shareholders Found Ousted Chair ‘Challenging’”, with some finding it hard to arrange meetings with him, highlighting communication problems at the top of the company.

As criticism intensified, commentators argued the board itself bore responsibility. One analysis concluded “BP should never have made Manifold chair”, calling the appointment “an unwise gamble on a dominant executive” that has now backfired.

Manifold has pushed back strongly, insisting he merely drove the group hard and denouncing what he calls mischaracterisations of his conduct. In a defiant response, he “hits out at ‘lies’ over his conduct”, saying he “pushed hard” at the FTSE oil group but disputes that this amounted to bullying.

With Manifold gone, attention has turned to O’Neill, described as “the no-nonsense CEO steering BP through crisis”. The article notes that the “bullying” scandal that led to his removal coincides with an attempted turnaround, leaving O’Neill to stabilise governance while trying to reset strategy and investor confidence.

1. Inside BP’s boardroom ‘bullying’ scandal

2. BP removes chair Albert Manifold after claims of bullying

3. Ousted BP chair Albert Manifold clashed with company secretary before removal

4. Several BP Shareholders Found Ousted Chair ‘Challenging’

5. BP should never have made Manifold chair

6. Ousted BP chair hits out at ‘lies’ over his conduct

7. Meg O’Neill, the no-nonsense CEO steering BP through crisis

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