BP has backed Dame Amanda Blanc to lead its search for a new chairman, despite investor concerns about the board’s judgement after the shock sacking of Albert Manifold.
Dame Amanda has received support from BP bosses to run a process to find a replacement for Mr Manifold after he was ousted as its chairman last week, just eight months into the job.
Ian Tyler, the interim chairman of the oil major, said: “At the request of the board, Amanda Blanc will lead the search process for BP’s next chair.
“As in previous searches, this will be a rigorous process involving the entire board and the final decision will reflect our collective view.”
It means that Dame Amanda, the senior independent director at BP, will be leading the oil major’s search for a new chairman for the second time in a year.
She ran BP’s search for a replacement for Helge Lund in 2025, with the board appointing Mr Manifold as its new chairman last July.
The company’s decision to back Dame Amanda – which was first reported by the Financial Times – comes despite growing criticism from shareholders regarding the board’s conduct during the dismissal of Mr Manifold.
The board decided to sack Mr Manifold last week, less than a year into the role, saying there were “serious concerns” about his behaviour. A source close to the board alleged that Mr Manifold bullied and verbally abused colleagues.
Mr Manifold has said lies were being spread about him and suggested he was ousted for being too aggressive in pushing cost-cutting measures at BP. He is understood to be considering legal action.
