PEOPLE
CHARLOTTE WRIGHT
Charlotte studied chemical engineering at university, joining Petrofac almost 11 years ago as a process engineer. She has recently taken a role as a senior business development analyst in New Energy Services.
What do you do?
As part of my role I analyse what’s going on in the new energy market and help direct our divisional proposition and approach to the sector. It’s a complex and dynamic environment to be in right now, but it is an incredibly rewarding space, and has huge potential for the business.
I am core to the team, investigating new opportunities and technologies, interacting with new and existing clients, and acting as business development lead for proposals and opportunity development. I help bring structure and an analytical approach to the team – I carry out analysis that points us in the right direction as a business.
It is an exciting market at an exciting time. With lots of independent developers looking at hydrogen, waste to value, carbon capture, and emissions reduction, my background in process engineering gives me a great foundation in this space.
I have been able to use my engineering background to really contribute in my new role as it helps to analyse and understand the various technologies that are on the market, and be able to talk confidently with clients and partners about these. Communication, building relationships, being able to see the bigger picture, and an eagerness to learn are other key skills which I have been able to transfer to this role.
Where has your career taken you so far?
Petrofac has given me some great opportunities. I started as a graduate in Aberdeen, before moving to our Woking office and worked my way through the engineering ranks always taking on more responsibility. I have been involved in some exceptional global projects, increasing my skills and capability with each. These projects have been based in locations varying from UAE to Malaysia to the UK to Tunisia, and I have been lucky enough to visit some of these locations. I was really proud to become a chartered engineer in 2016.
One of the biggest work pleasures I have is getting to visit client sites. It’s such a great opportunity to see facilities in real life and get a full appreciation for the size and complexity of them, along with being able to talk directly to the people who operate them. This really helps me take ideas to completion and make them workable in real life.
How would you describe your job to a 10 year old?
I help the business to win work on projects that will help to save the world.
How did you become an engineer?
I studied biology, chemistry, physics, and maths at A level. I originally wanted to be a vet but decided that wasn’t for me, so I was trying to work out what was next when I was sent a leaflet for the ‘whynotchemeng’ campaign that was running at the time through the Institute of Chemical Engineers. Chemical engineering sounded like a really interesting subject and combined everything that I had been studying with a practical approach. It was a lightbulb moment.
What was plan B for you?
I had no plan B! Once I had decided I wanted to study engineering that was it for me. Even though the course was tough at times, I really enjoyed it and my internship so knew it was the right career path for me.
“One of the biggest work pleasures is visiting client sites and talking directly to the people who operate their facilities.”
WORDS RICHARD LOMAX
PUBLISHED JUNE 2021
University of Bath
How did you join Petrofac?
I did a five-year undergraduate Masters degree at University of Bath, which included a year in industry. I carried out an internship with bp. I really enjoyed the oil and gas industry, and someone there recommended Petrofac so I applied for their graduate scheme. There was a day-long assessment process in Aberdeen, and I got a good feeling about the company and the people who worked there. I jumped at the chance when they offered me a job.
What’s your highlight so far?
I have really enjoyed leading the process work on projects to deliver well-developed solutions for clients. However, my latest role has to be the highlight so far – using my technical expertise built up over the years in a business development role for new energy. It’s been a steep learning curve but is so rewarding.
Why should young people consider engineering?
Engineering is a great place to be. It’s all about putting theory into practice and it’s exciting to see things that I’ve designed being built and operated.
Engineering opens up so many opportunities from tunnelling under London to create Crossrail, to creating a network of chargers for electric vehicles, to building new energy facilities. Engineers are a lot more in the public eye, people are more aware of what an engineer does, and there’s a bigger push on STEM awareness.
It’s a shame the pandemic has interrupted progress when it comes to interaction with younger people. For example, mentoring programmes, work experience or career events. You don’t get the same level of communication and interaction with younger people in a virtual world. I’m looking forward to when these types of events can come back again. It’s vitally important to maintain the profile of engineering with young people, especially females.
Who’s your engineering hero?
There’s not one person I can highlight. I admire engineers that have gone out there and tried something different. I admire a lot of people I’ve worked with at Petrofac and think engineers across different industries are contributing so much to society.
What does the future hold?
It’s all about new energy to ensure the world reaches its net zero targets. Costs are coming down for investors all the time. But oil and gas will still have a place under the right conditions – we need the energy balance. We need to make sure people have the right skills to be part of the energy transition – and that young people are in engineering roles to make it happen.
