Taproom Talks

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In this episode Kenny is joined by Neil Carr of AMS Global Group, where he discusses his journey of co-founding the company.

Neil, the Managing Director, shares how AMS Global was initially shelved in 2012 before relaunching in 2016/2017 amidst a volatile oil and gas market looking for efficiency. He details the company's growth from two co-founders to approximately 50 staff with global operations in the Caspian, Africa, and Spain.

The conversation covers the expansion of their services from marine surveying to the high-hazard AMS Safety division, which focuses on breathing apparatus, gas detection, and emergency support.

Neil also touches on the challenges of organically building a business, managing cash flow, and his personal journey of prioritizing health, including his new focus on fitness and setting physical challenges like the Caledonian eTape. Finally, he shares his pride in the company's culture, its community involvement, and generating opportunities for young people in Aberdeen.

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In this episode of Taproom Talks Kenny is joined by Bob Morgan of Baker Hughes, a Services and Projects Delivery Director in the Middle East, who discusses his two-decade career journey from a mechanical fitter in Aberdeen to a global leader.

Bob shares his experiences working offshore in places like the North Sea, Angola, and Houston, emphasizing that success in the Middle East is built on long-term relationships and cultural immersion, which helped his flexible pipe business grow exponentially to over $200 million.

He also touches on the importance of embracing diverse cultures in leadership, championing team well-being, and advises young people in the energy sector to focus on hard work and mentorship rather than seeking immediate senior roles.

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In this episode of Taproom Talks Kenny Dooley is joined by Zara Higgins of ATPI as she discusses her remarkable 22-year journey in commercial roles, beginning with cold-calling sales at a newspaper in Forfar at just 16.

Zara shares her career progression, including a move into hospitality and her experience with the volatile energy and shipping sectors at ATPI. She delves into the challenges and lessons learned from leaving and returning to ATPI, emphasizing the crucial role of brand strategy, the importance of building a commercially driven and collaborative team (highlighting the contributions of Charlotte in marketing and Lauren in sales), and her leadership philosophy of surrounding herself with smart, experienced people. Finally, she touches upon her current role leading the energy business line from Saudi Arabia.

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In this episode of Taproom Talks Kenny Dooley is joined by Dave Acton of Motive Offshore Group to trace his journey from a fisherman in Macduff and an ROV pilot working offshore in West Africa to becoming CEO of a global energy company. 

Dave discusses co-founding Motive with former TT guest James Gregg in 2010, the challenges of rapid growth and overcoming the 2014 industry downturn, and the role of private equity in fuelling their global expansion and M&A activities.

 He also delves into Motive’s core values (people, planet, product), their strategy for international growth, the impact of AI on the industry, and offers advice for aspiring energy sector entrepreneurs

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In this episode Kenny Dooley is joined by Kevin Coll of Solab IT Services and Onboard Tracker where they cover his entrepreneurial journey from working in his family's bakery to launching two successful Aberdeen-based companies.

Kevin discusses the strong work ethic inherited from his father, the early financial and personal challenges of starting Solab in 1991, and the inspiration behind Onboard Tracker, a crew management software now used globally.

He shares how co-parenting shaped his philosophy on flexible, people-first workplace culture and explains how Solab and Onboard Tracker are driving international growth and digital transformation in the energy sector.

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In this episode Kenny is joined by Steve Swindell former CEO of Xodus where they discuss the truth behind building and scaling a 20-year energy consultancy. Steve reveals his unexpected career launch, from chemical engineering in apartheid South Africa to a "sliding door" moment that led him to Aberdeen. He pulls back the curtain on the hardest lessons, including the cash flow blunder that almost sank the company, the harsh reality of private equity's "loan notes," and the personal toll of making business decisions that affected his closest friends.

Plus, he shares his perspective on the North Sea's future, the reality of the renewables market, and his life's most rewarding challenge: fostering children.

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In this episode of Taproom Talks Kenny is joined by Conrad Ritchie formally of Score Group and current chairman of multiple charities. Conrad dives into his nearly four-decade career in the oil and gas industry, starting as an apprentice the week of the Piper Alpha disaster and later serving as Managing Director.

He shares the immense pride and financial investment behind Score Group's renowned apprenticeship program, which at one point took on 100 youngsters a year.Conrad reflects on navigating multiple industry downturns, the shock of his father's unexpected passing, and the difficult, years-long decision to sell the family business to private equity, prioritizing a buyer who would maintain the company's legacy and commitment to people.

He then offers his controversial perspective on the North Sea energy sector, arguing that the push to renewables is "too quick" and that the government's approach is "hellbent on killing the industry," forcing the UK to import from less green nations. Finally, Conrad discusses his passion for giving back through his chairmanship of two local charities—a £7.5 million community medical hub and a prison museum—and offers invaluable advice for young people starting their careers.

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In this episode of Taproom Talks, Kenny is joined by Aberdeen legend George Yule, whose career spans from a British Rail apprenticeship and early North Sea oil days to the boardroom. 

George shares the profound lessons learned as a young manager dealing with the devastating aftermath of the Chinook helicopter disaster. He recounts his entrepreneurial journey, from the challenges of his first startup, Clean Ocean, during the $9 oil crash, to the explosive success of Dominion Gas, which he built and sold for £34 million in just 16 months. 

He also discusses his emotional time as Vice Chairman of Aberdeen FC, his legacy in developing the club's facilities, and how recent health battles, including cancer and a stroke, have reinforced his unique business perspective.

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In this episode of Taproom Talks Kenny is joined by Stuart Broadley of EIC to discuss his remarkable 35-year career journey, spanning from a young leader steering a challenging Rolls-Royce legacy business to transforming the Energy Industries Council (EIC) into a global force. 

Stuart shares his experience running a factory at age 27, his time in the oil and gas sector with Wood Group, and his pivot to renewables with a wind turbine company. He then details the five key strategies that tripled EIC's membership and boosted its Net Promoter Score, shifting its purpose to become the global voice of the energy supply chain. 

Stuart also discusses his "get-it-done" leadership style and the EIC's belief in guiding, not commanding, its members through the energy transition as well as sharing a large part of his life that he’s never shared with anyone before this.

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In this episode Kenny is joined by Chris Bird of Riskwell, who is also the Chief Development Officer for Meridian Resources and the disciplined head of risk for Fiteq. Chris details his unique journey from an engineering apprenticeship to a distinguished career in oil and gas, with a focus on risk management and innovation.He shares how a mindset of inquisitiveness and courage led to remarkable project successes, including drastically reducing the cost of the Kingfisher project and pioneering offshore fracking using temporary equipment on a supply boat to exploit difficult fields like Chiswick. Chris recounts the early, high-profit success of the Cassandra project at Venture and the dramatic turnaround of Carvana as MD by radically restructuring the business and implementing a new client strategy. He also discusses the current challenges facing the oil and gas industry, such as smaller fields, rising cost bases, and issues with project delivery.Chris concludes by offering his philosophy for a successful career, emphasising the three internal aspects of passion, commitment, and courage, and explains his "random communication" leadership style, which enabled Venture to outperform major operators by being 30% cheaper and twice as fast.