Qualified agronomist Jim MacDonald made a major change in 1988 when he moved from agricultural merchanting into the oil and gas industry.
He now has two companies, MacDonald Energy Consultants, which has thousands of oil and gas professionals on its books and provides personnel to the industry worldwide, and MacDonald Energy Projects, which is dedicated to promoting Scottish firms in the Middle East.
Mr MacDonald, 51, began his career by working in buying and selling grain and agrochemicals in 1977.
But a friend suggested a new career in the oil industry and, after 11 years of working for several companies in personnel supply, he launched his first business, MacDonald Energy Consultants, in 1999.
In his first year of working for himself he turned over about £250,000 by supplying personnel services. His two businesses are now forecast to have a turnover of £6million this year.
Mr MacDonald, who has formed partnerships with various agents in key energy markets, realised while travelling the globe that another business opportunity existed for MacDonald Energy in the Middle East.
With an abundance of opportunities for north-east firms, he realised that assisting them with international expansion was something on which he could build.
To this end, he established MacDonald Energy Projects, which helps Scottish companies to set up businesses in countries including Oman, Qatar, Abu Dhabi and Kuwait.
Having established many contacts within these countries, he was well placed to identify opportunities and assist firms in the promotion of their products and services.
Although his businesses are based at Montrose, Mr MacDonald travels to the Middle East every month, which he says is essential. Having set up business networks in Oman, Qatar and Kuwait, he believes there are plenty of opportunities internationally for north-east firms.
The most recent survey of international activity in the oil and gas sector by Scottish Enterprise showed that it accounted for 40% of Scottish supply-chain sales.
UK Trade and Investment designates the United Arab Emirates as one of its high-growth markets and the largest market in the Middle East for the UK.
According to a report in January by global bank HSBC, market economies such as the Middle East are expected to show continued resilience, despite the credit crunch.
Mr MacDonald said: “It’s a challenging time, but I think this highlights the importance of not relying on your home market. We have seen many Scottish businesses do incredibly well from opportunities in the Middle East and at the moment, Oman has a lot of work going on in the energy sector.”
MacDonald Energy Projects acts as a middle man for its customers, introducing them to key people and also assisting with legal requirements. Mr MacDonald said: “Many business owners I speak to feel wary of entering a region such as the Middle East with the belief that legislation and culture differences make it difficult to win contracts. Yes, it’s a different business culture but it isn’t as complicated as many people believe.”
With clients including Aberdeen firms Walker Technical Resources and Abermed and Dundee-based Safe House Habitat already enjoying the opportunities internationally, the next step is to extend the service to Brazil.
A keen piper since the age of 10, Mr MacDonald competed on the Scottish circuit and has a passion for keeping traditional elements of Scottish culture alive.
He is still a big advocate of the bagpipes, and is sponsoring the European Solo Piping Championships at Montrose Highland Games in early August. He is also assisting the Montrose Music Festival with sponsorship of two Deacon Blue concerts at the end of this month.
Mr MacDonald said: “As the business is based in Montrose, we try to get involved in the community as much as possible. The concerts are a sellout and I think having the bagpiping championships will be a great occasion for the whole area.”
After so much travelling, Mr MacDonald enjoys coming home to his family: wife Karen and children Emma, 24, Ben, 19, and Adam, 17.
Mr MacDonald has six directly employed people working from an office at Montrose Harbour. A further five in Qatar and one in Oman are employed through a joint venture.
His manpower arm has just picked up a multimillion-pound contract with Gujarat State Petroleum Company, of India, to supply workers offshore and onshore for three jack-up drilling rigs and two semisubmersibles.
He says it is the international work he enjoys most, and that 90% of his work is abroad, with only a small amount in the North Sea.
Mr MacDonald said: “It’s fantastic to see a company that you have helped really grasp the opportunities that exist outwith Aberdeen and the UK.
“Oil companies are sitting on the fence with regard to spending just now, but will have to do something sooner rather than later. Things will pick up.
“Meantime, the biggest problem we have is skill shortages in the oil and gas industry. The average age of engineers and managers, the areas we mainly deal with in manpower, is 57, and that has got to change.”
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