Tony Hayward joined BP straight from university. But it’s a move the man tipped as a possible head of the oil group nearly didn’t make.

He considered a career in Academia, and then, after completing a PhD at Edinburgh University, he was all set to join Mobil. That changed when BP’s top geologist at the time called him personally to change his mind. Mr Hayward, who graduated with a first-class geology degree, duly accepted the BP job and moved to Aberdeen to work on a rig. He soon moved abroad, working in Asia and South America.

Technical roles gave way to more of a business focus. Mr Hayward gained his big break when Lord Browne of Madingley, group chief executive, selected him to act as his own personal assistant, providing an

18-month education on how the business was run. Mr Hayward went on to build up the Colombian business before returning to the UK as BP’s finance controller.

Mr Hayward gained his degree at Birmingham University, which he chose because of its good reputation for sports. He is a keen supporter of West Ham United Football Club and enjoys sailing with his wife and children.

Alongside John Manzoni, head of refining and marketing, and Iain Conn, head of petrochemicals, he is now considered one of a small pool of internal BP candidates who could be in the final race to succeed Lord Browne on his retirement.