Amanda Blanc tasked with leading BP chair search amid governance crisis

BP has appointed senior independent director Amanda Blanc to spearhead the hunt for a new chair, despite mounting investor skepticism following the rapid ouster of her previous pick. Interim chair Ian Tyler confirmed the board’s decision on Monday, signaling a high-stakes effort to restore leadership stability at the energy giant.

The search process arrives at a precarious moment for the company. Shareholders and key figures within London’s financial circles have voiced concerns regarding Blanc’s ability to secure consensus, particularly after Albert Manifold was forced out just eight months into his tenure. The board cited serious failures in governance standards, oversight, and conduct as the primary drivers for his departure, a move that triggered a 10% drop in share price.

This leadership shuffle is the latest in a persistent cycle of management instability. BP has grappled with high-profile exits, including the 2023 firing of CEO Bernard Looney for misleading the board about personal relationships. The subsequent departure of Murray Auchincloss in December 2025 further complicated the company's trajectory. With Meg O'Neill now serving as the firm's fifth CEO in five years, the board faces intense pressure to stabilize its governance while pivoting the company’s strategic focus back toward oil and gas assets.