“I wanted to be part of something that was progressive”: My career in the everchanging energy industry.

As a business development professional, I have always been interested in connecting people and delivering powerful solutions. I chose to enter the oil and gas industry to be part of something progressive and deliver something important to the end consumer. All our lives depend heavily on oil and gas and will do for a long time to come – and I wanted to be part of the solution for a cleaner future.

After working in the sector for several years, I expanded my role to include work on decarbonisation, carbon capture and storage projects, offshore wind, hydrogen developments, focusing on integrating and assuring all critical components.

I am excited about the possibilities in the industry, and there is much to be optimistic about. Despite the challenges, I am confident about the sector’s future because of the critical role it plays in all our lives. Our dependency on energy, and all the by-products of energy production, is ever-increasing.

Our industry will always need talented people with the expertise to solve problems and deliver. Energy is the beating heart of every economy worldwide and it holds the keys to helping the fight against climate change and enabling the sustainable development of all other sectors.

Additionally, I believe that the industry has what it takes to solve the energy trilemma. If we can successfully deliver sustainable and secure energy at a genuinely acceptable cost, several significant components will fall into place, including the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, the creation of secure and long-term careers, and enormous export potential. I am genuinely excited about contributing to this discussion at Genesis, providing advice on financing and investment through Front End Engineering Design (FEED) delivery.

My advice for anyone looking to join the industry is simple: just do it! The energy industry is fast-paced, exciting and has the power to positively impact people's lives every day. The industry needs a strong pipeline of talent with diverse backgrounds and perspectives to help solve the challenges that lie ahead.