Building Bridges: 50 Years in Business

It was lucky for both BP and Dick Olver that he changed his mind after initially declining their job offer. Thirty years later he had become one of the multinational oil and gas company's most respected and talented managers - rising to be deputy chief executive. As Building Bridges recounts, along the way he had crossed many bridges - some over very troubled waters. After leaving BP, Dick's remarkable career didn't stop there. He was appointed chairman of Britain's leading international defence contractor BAE Systems at a critical time when a steady new hand on the tiller was required to steer the company through to the next delicate stages of development - salvaging its reputation and ensuring 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 emergent 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.