From an atmospheric scientist to an Innovation Catalyst...

Christina Horspool, based in Aberdeen, works for energy consultancy Xodus as an Innovation Catalyst focusing on climate risk and decarbonisation. After starting her career as an atmospheric scientist, she moved into teaching chemistry before returning to industry to use her knowledge of emissions to play an important role in helping Xodus’ clients operate effectively in the changing climate.  

While my career has brought me to the north east of Scotland, I was born in Birmingham in the Midlands – which comes as no surprise if you’ve heard me speak! My first job in oil and gas was with Xodus when I joined about a decade ago as an environmental engineer, and I’m still here. Before that, I taught chemistry in Birmingham, having taken a sabbatical from a consultancy where I’d started my working career as an atmospheric scientist.

As the daughter of a military father, I lived in many different places growing up, from Germany to the west coast of Scotland and the east coast of England. Today, I am based in Aberdeenshire. My interests in the natural world started early on, and growing up I really loved being outdoors, sports and science. One way of getting to do all three of these was through my local air cadets, where I’d either be running cross-country in an athletics competition, playing netball, learning how to fly, or learning about aircraft and engines! This was where my interests in nature and science really fledged.

I had planned to study medicine, but a fear of blood swiftly ended that ambition. Instead, I studied environmental science, following with a master’s in air pollution management and control, which marked the start of my interest and focus on atmospheric emissions. My first role was with Entec UK as a graduate consultant where I had the chance to work on large-scale transport and infrastructure projects, such as the Bristol International Airport expansion and the carbon footprints for all the BAA airports.

Today, with Xodus, I take on the role of innovator, looking for opportunities and assessing risk exposure to the changing climate. I analyse how Xodus and our clients can respond to the changes in the market. I no longer calculate aircraft emissions and instead look at the lifecycle of emissions across different integrated energy projects. It was the chance to work for Xodus that led me to join the energy industry. I loved the ethos and values at Xodus, as well as the focus on people, culture and the variety of exciting projects underway.  

Being in Aberdeenshire, I’m in an area central to the changing energy landscape. The skills and experience within the region are invaluable and incredibly transferable. The scale of the challenge ahead can be daunting, but we need everyone to feel empowered to play their part to make a difference in reducing emissions. Key to this is a collaboration between upstream, midstream and downstream players; the opportunities are there when there’s a focus on this agenda.

Now more than ever, we need ambitious, passionate people to move the industry forward. If you want to work in energy, my advice is to never stop learning – keep abreast of the policy, the research and the lessons being learned every day.

I believe we can move towards cleaner energy forms by utilising the experience and skills the oil and gas industry has created. There is a huge opportunity and role for everyone working within it to play. Everything we do is about problem solving, transferring knowledge and drawing from sound engineering principles. What a time to work in energy!