Tony Hayward biography

Synopsis

Education

Businessman and geologist Anthony Bryan Hayward was born on May 21, 1957, in Slough, Berkshire, England. As the eldest of seven children, Hayward was forced to mature at an early age. "The eldest gets to do everything, takes care of everyone," he later reflected. "It requires you to be responsible quite early." As a result, Hayward was a well-rounded high achiever - he captained the local soccer team while also passing his A-level qualifications in economics, chemistry and geology.

Hayward chose to study geology at Aston University in Birmingham, England, because the school had a good soccer team. Hayward changed his focus, however, once he truly discovered the joys of geology. "[I] found learning about the evolution of the earth fascinating," he said. "I had every intention of following an academic career." Hayward graduated with honors in geology, and followed his undergraduate degree with a PhD in the same subject at Edinburgh University. Finishing up his advanced education at the age of 22, Hayward began looking for new challenges in his field. He found them in the world's oil fields.

Early Career with BP

In 1982, shortly after graduation, British Petroleum's chief geologist recruited Hayward to become a rig geologist. Hayward worked on an offshore oil rig in Aberdeen, Scotland, and rose quickly through the ranks, traveling the world as a field geologist until he caught the eye of CEO Lord Edmund John Philip Browne at a leadership conference in 1990. Impressed with Hayward's direct manner and charming demeanor, Browne tapped the geologist to become one of his personal assistants in the Exploration and Production division.

In 1992, he moved to Colombia as exploration manager, and became president of BP's operations in Venezuela three years later. He became chief executive of BP's Exploration and Production division in January 2003, taking Browne's position after the Lord became the company's CEO. While serving in the position, Hayward became the implied successor to Browne's CEO title.

CEO of BP

After an English newspaper threatened to publish private details about Lord Browne's sexual orientation, the BP executive landed in court to prevent a story about his partner, Jeff Chevalier, going to press. While under oath, Browne lied about his relationship with Chevalier. After perjuring himself, Browne was forced to resign from his post at BP in 2007. Hayward assumed the mantle of CEO in May of that same year.

Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill

In April 2010, Hayward made headlines when the Deepwater Horizon oil rig, off the coast of Mississippi, exploded, killing 11 people. To add to the tragedy, oil began to leak from the rig at a rate estimated to be somewhere between 5,000 and 100,000 barrels a day.