Two oil and gas chiefs have been recognised for their contributions to industry in the Queen’s Birthday 2020 Honours List.
Robin Watson, chief executive of energy service giant Wood, and Stuart Payne, director of supply chain, decommissioning and HR at industry regulator the Oil and Gas Authority (OGA), have both been appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE).
Mr Payne joined the OGA in 2015 having held a variety of leadership positions in the oil and gas industry in the UK and overseas.
He is responsible for the regulator’s activities in support of decommissioning and leads its work with the UK service sector, as well as sitting on the Scottish Government’s Oil and Gas Industry Leadership Group.
Mr Payne, appointed for services to the oil and gas sector, said: “I’m honoured and humbled to receive this award, and of course very proud to work as part of this fantastic, innovative industry alongside many talented people.”
Mr Watson joined Aberdeen-headquartered Wood in 2010 and took over the reigns as chief executive in 2016.
He spearheaded the $3 billion (£2.3bn) acquisition of Amec Foster Wheeler in 2017 and is actively engaged with various industry and governmental representative bodies, as well as being a visiting professor at Robert Gordon University.
With more than three decades of engineering and industry experience, Mr Watson was appointed CBE for services to British engineering, industry and international trade.
He said: “I am delighted and humbled to receive this honour. My family, friends and colleagues have provided great support throughout my career and have helped me realise my ambitions over the years. For this, I am truly grateful.
“It is a privilege to lead an innovative, future-focused and dynamic business like Wood and work with a passionate team of people, focused on engineering solutions to the some of the world’s most pressing challenges.”
Wood chairman Roy Franklin said: “On behalf of Wood’s board, executive leadership team and our community of colleagues around the world, I’d like to congratulate Robin on this honour which recognises his significant contribution to the UK’s engineering industry over a distinguished career.
“His work ethic, vision and commitment to equality in education and development for all, has been the driving force behind the transformation of the Wood business as well as the continued success of its people.”
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