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 why the North Sea still matters, what kinds of roles will emerge from carbon capture and decommissioning, and how graduates can position themselves for long-term success in a changing energy economy.

🔑 3 Actionable Takeaways:

📝 Tailor your CV and show your passion

Recruiters want more than a qualification—they want to see your commitment. Include what motivates you, what you’ve done beyond your degree, and how you’ve engaged with the wider sector.

🌍 Stay flexible and think global

The North Sea is changing, but the global energy sector is expanding. Being open to overseas opportunities—even temporarily—can open doors that aren’t available locally.

🧠 Engage with the industry now

Join professional bodies like the Energy Institute, attend conferences, or volunteer in the sector. These activities offer visibility, networking, and can give your job applications a real edge.

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 infrastructure — it’s about dignity, opportunity, and long-term economic growth.

We explore what it takes to electrify remote Nigerian villages, the real cost of raising funds, and how community ownership transforms energy projects into vehicles for sustainable livelihoods. Safiya also opens up about the personal sacrifices, systemic hurdles, and quiet resilience that fuel her mission.

🔌 Three Actionable Takeaways:

·      🧾 Get investment-ready: Build transparent processes and strong documentation early. Funders look for solid governance, not just passion.

·      🧠 Create space for behaviour change: Introducing electricity is the first step — but training locals to use it productively ensures long-term impact.

·      🤝 Leverage trust and word-of-mouth: Sometimes the most effective growth strategy is letting the results speak for themselves — and letting communities share the story.

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.

Simon also shared candid advice on navigating today’s job market, why chasing “phantom roles” can waste your time, and how younger workers can align their values with employers driving energy transition and climate action.

🔑 Here are 3 actionable takeaways:

✨ Write your own cover letter

A well-written, personal cover letter often tells recruiters more than your CV. Use it to show motivation, awareness of the company, and why the role matters to you.

📬 Avoid the black hole

Skip faceless job portals when possible. Reach out directly to hiring managers on platforms like LinkedIn—even if they refer you back to HR, you've made a stronger impression.

🛠 Tailor, don’t template

Use AI for research, not for writing. Recruiters can tell when your CV is generic. Showcase your story, potential, and personality—especially if you're early in your career.

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.

We talk frankly about everything from her disguised entry into offshore life in the 1970s, to why the energy transition isn’t about eliminating fossil fuels—but balancing competing priorities like affordability, infrastructure, and global access. Delfina also reflects on what younger generations need to know as they step into a sector under scrutiny, ripe with innovation, and still shaped by geopolitics and economic realities.

🔑 3 Takeaways You Can Use

·      💡 Don’t lose your idealism—learn the system: If you’re passionate about energy transition, pair that passion with a deep understanding of economics, infrastructure, and geopolitics to avoid naivety in real-world applications.

·      🔍 Be selective with innovation: Not all technologies can—or should—be adopted at the core of operations. Understand the risk thresholds in oil and gas before pushing digital or AI solutions.

·      🛠️ Infrastructure is the real bottleneck: Want to accelerate decarbonisation? Focus your skills on solving the hard logistical questions—especially how we transport, store, and distribute energy beyond fossil fuels.

🎙️Whether you’re shaping policy, deploying tech, or just getting started—this conversation is a grounded look at the realities and opportunities shaping the next energy era.

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.

We talk about career pivots, growing beyond comfort zones, and why being good at your job isn’t always enough to get promoted. Laurent shares what helped him move into senior roles, and what he looks for in potential leaders—especially those coming up the ranks.

This conversation is useful if you're trying to stay relevant, build influence, or just wondering how to stay curious while still climbing the ladder.

🛠️ Three Takeaways You Can Act On:

🔹 Deliver beyond your job description.

It’s often what you do outside your direct role that gets noticed—especially when peers (not just your boss) see you solving problems across teams.

🔹 Be honest about your skill gaps—and work on them.

You don’t need a formal development plan. What matters is regular conversations with your manager about what’s missing and how you’re actively closing those gaps.

🔹 Build business acumen, not just technical depth.

Understanding the global energy market—even at a basic level—can make a huge difference. Don’t just read the technical reports. Learn how your industry works.

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 parts of building a career in energy: the pressure to be visible, the quiet frustrations of being overlooked, and how to create momentum without being pushy. John shares stories from his own career—spanning power stations, international placements, and leadership roles—and reflects on the career patterns that shaped him (and nearly trapped him).

🎧 Why this matters:

Many energy professionals—especially those starting out—face a tension between fitting in and standing out. John’s experience shows what happens when you navigate that with intention, timing, and just enough courage to ask for more.

💡 Three Takeaways You Can Act On:

🔹 Ask for variety before you get stuck.

If you've mastered a task or role, don’t wait to be “tapped” for the next one. Proactively ask to shadow other teams, join new projects, or get exposure to different areas before you become known only for your current skill set.

🔹 Make your work visible—even when remote.

Remote or in-office, visibility is a conscious act. Don’t assume people know what you’re doing. Look for opportunities to share updates, contribute to internal platforms, or simply reach out to senior staff with questions or results.

🔹 Use “side quests” to build your brand.

Get involved in your professional institute, industry committees, or local events—not just for networking, but to test new skills and open doors that your day job doesn’t. These low-stakes spaces can turn into your next role before you realise it.

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 that knowledge to a completely different scale of production and responsibility. From overseeing new technology launches to leading crisis task forces, Ketan shares how he builds structure, manages pressure, and stays aligned with a long-term sustainability mission.

Whether you’re leading teams, solving complex product issues, or just entering the renewables space, there’s a lot to reflect on in this episode.

🔧 Three Actionable Takeaways

🗂️ Use Systems to Stay Grounded Under Pressure

Ketan works across 50+ projects using an internal goal-setting and escalation system (Hoshin) to prioritise, flag risks, and adjust resources. Consider how your own operating system supports—or stalls—delivery.

💬 Lead Through Tension Without Losing Your Team

Even during a major product issue involving hundreds of workstreams, Ketan keeps morale up through clarity, humour, and emotional awareness. Structure + empathy = stronger teams.

🌱 Know the Technicals, But Show the Purpose

He looks for passion in interviews—not just technical skills. Whether you’re a graduate or a senior hire, aligning with the long-term value of your work (like 30-year recyclable panels) helps you stay resilient.

If you’re working in energy policy, digitalisation, or want to shape how energy systems evolve beyond engineering and operations, this episode will speak directly to you.

I sat down with Shota Lemondzhava , Head of Government Relations at the World Energy Council, to discuss the messy middle of the energy transition: where diplomacy, AI, cybersecurity, and global cooperation collide. Shota doesn’t come from a traditional energy background—his route through political science and diplomacy is a reminder that shaping the future of energy isn’t just for engineers. It's also about convening people, navigating trade-offs, and asking better questions.

Here’s what stood out for me, especially for those navigating complex energy systems or advising on transition strategy:

⚡ Three Actionable Takeaways

🧭 Reframe Net Zero as a Human, Not Just a Technical, Problem

Don’t just chase technical milestones. Net zero only works if it's inclusive, affordable, and realistic for everyday communities—not just boardrooms.

🔐 Build Cybersecurity into the Design, Not as an Afterthought

Whether you're in digital, data, or policy, consider security from the outset. That means testing systems, running failure drills, and advocating for cross-border coordination.

🌍 Use AI with Intention, Not Just Enthusiasm

AI is useful—smart grids, predictive maintenance, demand forecasting—but it needs human oversight, reliable data, and ethical boundaries to avoid making things worse.

In this episode, I speak with Trond Knutsen Hundsnes, Head of Early Phase and Subsurface Capital Decommissioning Projects at Equinor. For those of you navigating leadership, project portfolios, or trying to understand how to build a meaningful engineering career—this episode offers practical examples of how to do just that.

What struck me most was how Trond balances risk, trust, and team empowerment across some of the most complex projects in the Norwegian Continental Shelf. Whether you're a graduate engineer, mid-career, or in a leadership role, you'll likely relate to the questions he raises about timing, motivation, and how to manage constant change in the energy sector.

We talk about:

• How to lead change across a mature asset base while keeping people motivated
• Why early-career engineers shouldn't rush progress
• How broad technical exposure helps you ask better questions as a leader

🔑 Key Takeaways

🔧 Manage transitions like a portfolio, not a pivot

Trond shares how he gradually transitioned from deep technical roles to senior leadership—not through drastic career moves, but by building cross-functional experience over time.

➡️ Action: Seek out cross-discipline exposure every few years to understand different interfaces in the business.

💬 Your ‘superpower’ might be simpler than you think

For Trond, it's talking to people—regularly, candidly, and across all levels. He credits open dialogue as the single most powerful driver of trust and project alignment.

➡️ Action: Schedule regular, non-transactional check-ins with team members or stakeholders. It builds long-term credibility.

🛠️ Don't rush for the next big thing—build impact first

His advice for younger professionals is to master your current role before moving on. Fast moves might look good, but depth creates value and new opportunities will follow.

➡️ Action: Track how your current role is influencing business outcomes—use that to signal readiness for future roles.

This week’s conversation might seem like a step away from traditional energy sector topics—but it’s not. As professionals working in high-pressure environments, many of us (engineers, executives, and frontline staff alike) face invisible strains that can quietly unravel our lives and careers. I spoke with Rebecca Fitzpatrick, Director of Criminal Law and Chief Psychologist at Timpano Legal in Perth, about how people—often from high-functioning, respected professions—can find themselves crossing legal or ethical lines, and what we can do to stay ahead of burnout, bad decisions, or worse.

We covered the mental health landscape behind criminal behavior, how chronic stress affects judgment, and why early intervention matters more than we often realise. If you’ve ever felt stretched thin, isolated, or under quiet pressure to keep it all together, this conversation will offer a few sharp nudges to check in with yourself before things slip too far.

🧠 Pressure is cumulative

Micro-stresses—missed lunch breaks, longer hours, financial strain, feeling unheard—can quietly build toward critical decisions. Start recognising and reducing these small stressors before they snowball.

📞 If you're struggling, don’t wait to speak up

Psychologists, counsellors, and support platforms (including telehealth options) are there for a reason. You don’t need to wait for a crisis to reach out.

🎯 Reconnect with your 'why'

When you're overwhelmed, anchor back to your personal drivers—your values, your goals, your purpose. It helps restore perspective and can stop short-term emotions from steering long-term decisions.