Q. Tell us your background and when you first became interested in energy?

A. Growing up on the West Coast of Scotland, I was fortunate to be immersed in nature from a young age. The rugged beauty of the coastline and the abundance of wildlife fostered a profound connection to my surroundings, particularly the water. This environment instilled in me an appreciation for the natural environment that has shaped my outlook throughout life.

My interest in energy emerged as part of a broader curiosity about how cities function and thrive. I began to see energy as both a challenge and an opportunity: it is fundamental to economic productivity, and quality of life, and an area where some of the most transformative changes can be made. Rather than viewing energy in isolation, I recognised its central role in the functioning of cities and societies.

With the progression of my career, especially through my involvement in large-scale infrastructure and the aviation sector, my focus on energy sharpened. I started to see energy not just as an operational issue, but as a strategic lever and essential aspect that could drive meaningful change across projects and industries.

Q. How did you first hear about the Energy Institute and what motivated you to join?  

A. I first heard about the Energy Institute through the Society of the Environment, where I was looking to become registered as a Chartered Environmentalist. I was keen to find an organisation that could support the development of my career as a sustainability professional with a technical slant, and the Energy Institute offered that mix. The diverse community fosters knowledge sharing and collaboration, supporting personal and professional development within the field.

Q. The Energy Institute isn't the only organisation that offers registration for Chartered Environmentalists. How has the Energy Institute gone beyond merely offering access to professional registration services to support you and your career?  

A. While Chartered Environmentalist registration was my initial reason for joining in 2019, the Energy Institute has become much more than a professional registration body. I was looking for an organisation that combined sustainability with technical and engineering credibility, and the EI has delivered on that.

The Energy Institute has provided access to a strong professional network, high-quality technical insight and opportunities to engage with emerging issues across the energy transition. I particularly value its balanced, evidence-based approach.

More recently, I have applied for Energy Institute Fellowship and become a mentor, reflecting how my relationship with the organisation has evolved from seeking professional recognition to actively contributing to the profession. I now see the EI as an important part of my ongoing professional development and a community where I can both learn from others and share my own experience.  

Q. How has being a Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv) benefitted you in your career?

A. Becoming a Chartered Environmentalist has been a defining milestone in my career. At a practical level, it provides immediate credibility, particularly in complex, multidisciplinary environments like giga-projects, where you’re engaging with engineers, financiers, policymakers and developers simultaneously.

More importantly the Chartered Environmentalist professional qualification signals that your approach is grounded in systems thinking, ethics and evidence-based decision-making. In my current role leading ESG for a large-scale development, that credibility is essential when influencing high-value decisions, whether that’s embedding decarbonisation strategies, shaping sustainable design standards, or challenging business-as-usual approaches.

It has also helped position me not just as a sustainability advocate, but as a strategic advisor who understands risk, value creation, and long-term resilience.

Q. Tell us about your current job and industry, and how your work is contributing toward a just transition to net zero?  

A. I have more than 20 years in the built environment and aviation sectors, including roles as Senior Director of ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) at Qiddiya and Head of Sustainability at Abu Dhabi Airports. I have led multiple programmes to cut GHG emissions through global supply chains, delivered ISSB-aligned reporting and IFRS disclosures, and secured executive and board-level buy-in for significant ESG investments.

My work integrates carbon reduction strategies, science-based targets, and climate risk management to advance Saudi Vision 2030 and drive innovative green-finance solutions.  

Q. You have jumped around between roles based in Scotland and the Middle East. In doing so, you have managed to straddle climactic extremes. What links have you identified between the two countries/regions, in sustainability terms specifically?

A. Working in both Scotland and the Middle East has shown me that sustainability is far more universal than many people assume. The climate, geography and culture are very different, but the underlying challenges are remarkably similar: how do you create economic prosperity while protecting natural resources and improving quality of life?

Scotland has a long history of industrialisation and is now focused on decarbonising an existing economy and infrastructure. Saudi Arabia, by contrast, has the opportunity to build new cities and industries from the ground up. One is largely about transformation; the other is about shaping the future. From a sustainability perspective, both require long-term thinking, strong governance and the ability to balance environmental, social and economic priorities.

The biggest lesson I’ve taken from working across both regions is that sustainability is ultimately about people rather than geography. Whether you’re engaging communities in Scotland or stakeholders in Saudi Arabia, success depends on understanding local priorities rather than imposing a universal model. The principles are global, but the solutions must always be locally relevant. 

The views and opinions expressed in this article are strictly those of the author only and are not necessarily given or endorsed by or on behalf of the Energy Institute.