Name, age and where you live
Mark Speed, 30 years old, Aberdeen
What is your day job today?
I work at Oil & Gas UK as a senior business analyst within the Environment team.
I would summarise my role as working with colleagues inside Oil & Gas UK, our members and the industry regulators to ensure we are minimising the environmental footprint of the industry’s operations in the North Sea.
My work includes chairing and managing all aspects of the Oil & Gas UK Radiological Issues Group, carrying out analysis and benchmarking of environmental data, and providing Geographic Information System (GIS) support for the organisation.
Why did you choose a career in the oil and gas industry?
After studying the environment as part of my PhD at the University of Aberdeen I was keen to use the skills acquired from my academic studies in a commercial business setting where the environment is a genuine and growing consideration.
This industry fitted what I was looking for perfectly – finding and producing oil and gas is a process that, inevitably, has some degree of impact on the environment and our challenge is to balance this with the benefits of a secure energy supply.
Who or what has influenced you most in your career to date?
My bosses Mick Borwell and John Rintoul. They know everything there is to know about the environment side of the industry and they are genuinely great guys to work with.
Where do you see your career going?
To continue working in the environmental sector of the oil and gas industry but exploring other basins outside the UK Continental Shelf. I believe that the nature of this industry means that the skills I learn here in Aberdeen can – hopefully – be transferred globally.
What advice would you give to others looking to get into the oil and gas industry?
Have patience and be persistent. There are a lot of jobs out there – it’s a matter of finding the best role and the best company for you.
If you weren’t doing the job you are in now, what might you be doing instead?
Having recently won Bronze for Scotland in the Commonwealth Games in water polo this month, I have to say that I would love to play water polo professionally. I have found so far in my career that, while we take our professional responsibilities very seriously, I can have a balance which allows me to achieve both my career and personal goals.