As a burgeoning civil engineer, a young Dick Olver's initial response to being offered a job at BP was to turn it down.

But he thought again and accepted. It was lucky for him, and lucky for BP, that he did. Over 30 years later he had risen to be deputy CEO.

Along the way Dick had crossed many bridges - some over very troubled waters. His versatile and fascinating career covered the many varied aspects of BP's global oil and gas activities.

On leaving BP, his business interests widened, and he became Chairman of BAE Systems at just the time a new hand was required to see the company through to the next delicate stages of development - salvaging its reputation and its emergence as one of the biggest defence companies in the world. Never one to stand still, his business and philanthropic activities have continued apace with new ventures - particularly guiding new companies.

Dick's great skill of getting the very best out of people and teams comes through with the fascinating details in this compelling autobiography.