HRH Geology has come a long way since it was formed in 1989.
The Bridge of Don firm, which provides specialist operational geology software and services to the oil and gas industry, has grown steadily over the years.
HRH had turnover of just under £9million in the latest financial year to the end of March, it now operates in 64 countries, recently took on its 100th member of staff and is forecasting 20% growth in the current financial year.
Managing director and co-founder David Harrison still sees many growth opportunities ahead.
He is targeting annual turnover of £18million in five years and also wants to double the workforce to 200 in that time.
The regally named firm, an acronym of the founders’ surnames, was recognised recently for its success – winning a Queen’s Award for Enterprise in international trade for its overseas growth.
In the period assessed for the award, the company has diversified into new markets in North America, the Middle East, Africa and south-east Asia. Overseas sales have risen each year in this period and now account for more than 60% of total sales.
Commitment to technology has been key to growth at HRH, which is owned by its four directors.
Mr Harrison, 59, said: “We have never stopped investing in new technology. We put a large amount of our revenue into research and development and we have new, innovative products coming to the market all the time.
“Market conditions, as well as technology, change constantly so it is crucial to be prepared and look down the line for ways we can improve and develop. The Queen’s Award is a great recognition for our staff. It really is a team effort, the hard work and diligence they have put in has allowed HRH to get where we are.”
Mr Harrison was quick to highlight the work of long-serving technical director Chris Harlow and sales and marketing director Dawood Khan in the company’s success.
He added: “Many of our staff have been with us for a long time and we continually invest in their improvement.
“To take a company from starting out to winning a Queen’s Award is something for everyone connected to HRH Geology to be proud of.”
Mr Harrison, who was brought up at Rotherham, in south Yorkshire, moved to Aberdeen with Gearhart in 1979 shortly after graduating with a degree in geology from Nottingham University.
He stayed with the firm until shortly after its takeover by Halliburton in 1988 when HRH was founded.
Mr Harrison said: “I decided I wanted to do something on my own. I had seen a gap for a computerised log drawing system and we were the first independent company to produce such a product. It quickly became a success in the North Sea and established HRH Geology in this field.
“I always liked rocks as a child and some of my earliest memories are when I was on a beach collecting pebbles and grading them by colour. My interest hasn’t changed and I have been really lucky in that I have been able to build a career out of something I enjoy, a true vocation.
“It was around 2005 when things really started to improve in the business. The market picked up with the increasing oil price and companies started to invest in exploration drilling. It had been pretty steady in the mid-2000s, but when the number of rigs began to grow we started to experience a greater demand for our products.
“One of the strengths of our software is that it is very adaptable. We can adapt it for local conditions wherever we are selling it and this really helps in pushing our sales overseas.”
The UK Government requires operators to produce a completion log for every well drilled and Mr Harrison estimates that HRH’s software is used in two-thirds of all the logs being produced.
It also provides wellsite and operations geologists in addition to geological training to oil companies.
The firm has regional offices in Houston, Abu Dhabi and Jakarta in addition to agent representation in every corner of the world.
Mr Harrison added: “What we do now is more than just log drawing.
“We use this data to manage the geological workflow and integrate with other disciplines such as drilling and asset geoscience.
“Demand for our software and the knowledge of our staff is continuing to increase and I expect to recruit more geologists from all around the world.
“In the future, we will see workflows becoming more collaborative and more people will be able to share and make use of this data to enhance their drilling programmes.
“We are still evolving and adding new developments to our range of products.
“It is a very exciting time for everyone at HRH Geology.”
Questions and Answers: David Harrison
Who helped you get where you are today?
My main support has been my family, particularly my wife, Ghislaine. I have been fortunate to have had two great mentors. David McLaughlin guided me through the mysteries of accounting and finance, while Tony Moorley instilled great business values, showing that good guys can win.
What do you still hope to achieve in business?
The ambition still burns to create a world-renowned brand in the operational geology workspace.
What is your greatest business challenge today?
Continuing to make our global message clear on what we are and what we do; also keeping up with ever-changing technology.
If you were in power in government, what would you change?
I would give the people of Aberdeen a city to be proud of, reinvesting in the revitalisation of Union Street and giving the city back its heritage. I would also stop the ludicrous windfarm development in Aberdeen Bay.
Where is your favourite place to go on holiday?
Most places in the Far East for the food, culture and warmth. Visiting the parks in Florida when children were young takes some beating too.
Do you have any spare time and, if so, what do you do?
Any spare time will be taken visiting Dumfries to see our first grandchild, Abigail, growing up.
What are you reading, listening to or glued to on TV?
I am just finishing reading the Game of Thrones epic and watching the series on television.
If you were a character in a TV series or movie, who would you be?
I am afraid to say that my family unanimously said it would be Homer Simpson; I hope they were joking.
What do you drive and dream of driving?
I drive an Audi A6, but I have little interest in cars and do not dream about them at all.
What would your children (or partner) say about you?
My wife would say I leave a trail of disaster behind me for her to clear up.
Which charity do you support and why?
HRH Geology helps raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support and the Archie Foundation and over three years we have raised more than £30,000.
What’s on your bucket list; the things you still want to accomplish?
Visiting the Grand Canyon in Arizona, Yosemite National Park, in California and the Palio di Siena horse race in Italy feature prominently.
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