BP has confirmed the definitive appointment of Ian Tyler as president of the oil company, once the selection process opened after the swift dismissal of Albert Manifold for "unacceptable" supervision and conduct issues has concluded.
Three months after Manifold's departure, the company ends the search for a new president, in which internal and external profiles have been considered. Tyler thus consolidates the position he has been holding on an interim basis and now assumes the presidency on a permanent basis.
Tyler joined BP's board of directors in April 2025 as a non-executive director. Throughout his career as an independent director in firms in the oil and gas, natural resources, and engineering sectors, he has worked closely with more than 15 chief executives, bringing his experience in corporate governance.
Currently, he balances the presidency of Grafton Group, a company specialized in building materials, with the position of senior independent director at Anglo American. Previously, he chaired Cairn Energy and was an independent director at BAE Systems.
"Ian brings significant experience in posing challenges and providing support to management teams, while maintaining solid governance and oversight on behalf of shareholders. These qualities have become evident during his tenure as Interim Chairman, where he has earned the trust of the board of directors and senior management thanks to his thoughtful leadership, good judgment, and integrity," stated BP's senior independent director, Dame Amanda Blanc.
"I am honored that the BP board of directors has appointed me as chairman. It has been a privilege to work directly with Meg O'Neill over the past few months and see the impact she has had since her arrival," Ian Tyler noted.
"I will lead the evolution of the board, ensuring that we have the experience, strength, and capabilities necessary to support the company's strategic priorities and long-term value creation. I am committed to maintaining regular and transparent communication with our shareholders, while continuing to support the management team in their efforts to deliver the performance and value that our shareholders deserve," he added.
At the same time, Dame Amanda Blanc has communicated that she will not run for re-election in 2027 and that she will leave the board once her replacement is appointed. "On behalf of the board of directors, I would like to thank Amanda for her enormous contribution to the company. While I asked her to stay, she believes that, after four years and having recently completed the selection process for the new chairman, it is the right time to plan her exit from the board, and I respect her decision," Tyler has stated.
The board of directors of the energy company decided in May, unanimously, to end Manifold's term as chairman after the "serious concerns expressed to the Board regarding important governance, oversight, and conduct standards."
In parallel to these changes at the top, Meg O'Neill was appointed CEO of the oil company in December of this year, becoming the first woman to hold this position. Under her mandate, Carol Howle left her responsibility as executive vice president of supply, trading, and shipping.
Additionally, BP undertook a simplification of its organizational structure into just two major divisions: exploration and production ('upstream') and refining and marketing ('downstream'). Gordon Birrell and Richard Harding were appointed as executive vice presidents in charge of these areas, respectively, reinforcing the company's strategic shift towards traditional energy sources.