Energy Sector Heroes ~ Careers in Oil & Gas, Sustainability & Renewable Energy

How can better water management reshape the future of energy? In this episode, I talk with Steven Coffey, Director of International Business Development for Produced Water Solutions and President of the Produced Water Society, to explore the role of water in both traditional and emerging energy systems. Steven explains why produced water should be viewed as a usable resource rather than a waste st...

🌍 Are you ready to navigate the future of energy? Join us on this week's episode of the Energy Sector Heroes podcast, featuring Barry Jones , Offshore Installation Manager at Ørsted, with over 30 years of experience spanning oil, gas, renewables, and submarine telecommunications. Together, we explore the real challenges and opportunities in the global shift toward greener energy. 🎧 What’s in it...

🚀 Ever wondered what it takes to innovate in the high stakes world of energy technology? This week on the Energy Sector Heroes podcast, we’re joined by Calvin Holt , CEO and cofounder of Drawdocks, as he opens up about his journey through startup failures and breakthroughs in the energy industry. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or a seasoned pro, Calvin’s candid stories and actionable str...

💡 Want to thrive in the ever-changing energy industry? This week, I’m joined by Richard Chuchla , a veteran of Exxon and former university professor, as we explore the journey of navigating multiple sectors, from mining to oil and gas, and even into academia. Richard shares practical insights on building a career that thrives on adaptability, mentorship, and balancing creativity with the demands...

How do you build a long and adaptable career in the energy sector? In this episode, I speak with Rene Jonk , Director at ACT Geo, who brings more than 25 years of experience in geoscience, international project work, and leadership across the industry. Rene shares practical advice on career direction, leadership without micromanagement, and developing the relationships that open doors especially i...

What does it take to deliver some of the world’s largest energy projects? In this episode, I sit down with Michael Foucaud, Construction Director at TechnipFMC, to talk about his career journey and what he has learned from leading major project execution across global construction yards. Michael shares practical insights into how large-scale projects come together from yard operations and planning...

How do graduates turn sustainability studies into real opportunities in the energy sector? In this episode, I speak with Dhriti Badami about starting a career during the energy transition from securing early internships to building confidence when speaking with experienced professionals. We discuss decarbonisation, the continued role of traditional energy alongside renewables, and how young profes...

How do you go from writing software in the field to leading a global technology company? In this episode, I sit down with Pablo Perez founder, president, and CEO of Bardasz to unpack the decisions, risks, and lessons that shaped his career. Pablo reflects on his early years as a developer in Venezuela, the leap into entrepreneurship, and the realities of scaling a business in the energy sector. We...

Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) is set to play a major role in reducing industrial emissions but where do the skills come from to build it? In this episode, I talk with Henry Morris about how traditional oil and gas expertise is being repurposed to help the UK and Europe cut millions of tonnes of CO₂ each year. Henry shares how his geoscience background led him from offshore exploration into deve...

Many of you are already using AI tools in your studies, careers, or job searches — but how do you make sure you’re using them wisely? In this episode of Energy Sector Heroes , I speak with Vered Shwartz, Assistant Professor of Computer Science at the University of British Columbia and a specialist in natural language processing. We explore how AI is reshaping recruitment, interviews, and professio...

For many of you aiming to move into leadership roles, the question often comes up: What does it really take to steer a company through cultural and financial challenges? In this episode of Energy Sector Heroes , I sit down with Davis Larssen, CEO and former senior leader at Proserv and Schlumberger, to talk about the decisions and trade-offs that shape a CEO’s career. Davis reflects on the realiti...

Many of you listening work in environments where change, diversity, and leadership challenges intersect. Questions often come up: How do women progress in male-dominated sectors? What practical steps can organisations take beyond advocacy? And how can young professionals carve out their place in the energy transition? In this episode of Energy Sector Heroes , I speak with Monica Collings OBE, Chai...

If you’re working in energy right now, you’ll know the tension between meeting today’s demands and preparing for tomorrow’s transition. How do leaders balance commercial realities with long-term sustainability goals? And what can professionals at all levels learn from those shaping national energy strategies? In this episode of Energy Sector Heroes , I speak with Andy Samuel CBE , former Chief Exe...

For many of you working in energy, the questions come up again and again: How do I move from technical roles into leadership? What skills matter most when managing people? And how do I adapt as the industry itself shifts? In this episode, I speak with Grant McKenzie, VP of Developments at Woodside Energy, about his 30-year career across different companies, countries, and disciplines. Grant shares...

Many of you listening are engineers or early-to-mid career professionals in the energy sector, wondering what it really takes to progress into senior management. In this episode, I talk with Andrew Inkpen, Seward Chair of Global Strategy at Thunderbird and author of The Global Oil & Gas Industry . Our conversation digs into the realities of career progression, the mindset shifts required, and...

Finding a role in today’s energy and technology job market isn’t straightforward. Graduates face shifting expectations, AI is changing traditional entry-level roles, and career paths often look more like spaghetti than a straight ladder. In this episode of Energy Sector Heroes , I sit down with Will Whitehorn OBE , Chancellor of Edinburgh Napier University and former Virgin Group executive, to tal...

The energy transition brings both opportunity and challenge. Whether you’re a graduate just entering the sector, an innovator trying to scale, or an established professional navigating change, the path forward isn’t always clear. In this episode of Energy Sector Heroes , I speak with Richard Halsey , Innovation Director at the National Energy Systems Catapult, about how businesses, graduates, and...

Today we’re excited to spotlight Simon Seaton , a respected leader shaping the future of the energy industry. Simon is the CEO of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) , where he works closely with the Board and senior leadership to drive global strategy, policy, and operations across SPE’s offices in Dallas, Houston, Calgary, Kuala Lumpur, Dubai, and London. Before joining SPE, Simon served as...

In this episode, I spoke with Charles Hendry, former UK Minister of Energy and visiting professor at Edinburgh University, about what the energy transition really means for professionals, graduates, and businesses alike. If you’ve been feeling uncertain about your future in the sector—especially if you’re based in Aberdeen or just starting out—this conversation is worth your time. Charles shared w...

Many of my listeners are passionate about real-world impact — not just in decarbonisation, but in delivering real, tangible transformation to underserved communities. In this week’s episode, I speak with Safiya Aliyu , General Manager at Susei Renewable Energies and Country Director of the Mata Ariwan Susei Initiative. Her journey is a powerful reminder that energy access isn’t just about infrastr...

If you’re applying for jobs in the energy sector—whether you're a graduate or experienced professional—this episode is worth your time. I sat down with Simon Winfield, former CEO of Hays UK & Ireland, to explore how artificial intelligence is really affecting recruitment, what employers look for in CVs and cover letters, and how jobseekers can stand out in an increasingly automated landscape....

For anyone building a career in energy—whether you're a graduate, a mid-career engineer, or a senior executive—the rapid evolution of our sector brings both opportunity and complexity. This week, I sat down with Delfina Govia, a Chief Sustainability Officer with over 46 years in the oil and gas industry, to unpack what’s changing, what’s not, and what that means for the future of work in energy. W...

For early-career professionals in the energy sector—or anyone aiming to move into leadership—there’s often an unspoken tension between doing your job well and positioning yourself for what comes next. In this episode, I speak with Laurent Pagnon, Head of Group Strategy at SGS, about how he navigated that balance from engineering in the Middle East to executive strategy roles in Europe and the U.S....

In this episode, I sit down with John Armstrong, CEO of the British Pipeline Agency and guest lecturer at the University of Warwick. If you're a graduate engineer, early-career professional, or just trying to find your feet in the evolving world of energy, this conversation is packed with honest, real-world advice that bridges technical progression with personal growth. We talk about the unspoken...

If you work in renewables, product development, or quality systems—or you're transitioning into green energy from another industry—this episode will be relevant to your journey. I sat down with Ketan Patel, Head of Quality, Reliability and Development at First Solar. He came into solar energy after years in semiconductors, aerospace, and consumer tech—and he talks candidly about how he now applies...