Richard Jenkins, Operations Director for AMEC.

• Describe your company in fewer than 10 words

High-value services across the lifecycle of all-energy assets.

• What is the biggest/most exciting contract that your company locally is currently focused on?

In July 2003, AMEC and its joint venture partners (Jacobs and Storks) were awarded the OneGas ISC (Integrated Services Contract) for Shell and NAM's facilities in the UK and the Dutch sectors of the Southern North Sea.

Recently, that was extended and we continue to provide: general management, engineering, maintenance execution, project delivery and operational support to one of the largest and most complex asset support contracts in the North Sea. It features 54 Southern North Sea offshore assets, as well as the Shell Bacton plant in the UK and the NAM operated Den Helder gas plants in the Netherlands.  Over 1,000 people are working hard to deliver for the client, with around 60% of the workforce based in our Great Yarmouth office. 

• What is the burning issue of today in your industry?

The the main issue for the UK energy industry is to ensure sufficient supply to satisfy the growing energy demand. To deliver this safely and economically will stretch and challenge everyone involved in the industry, particularly as oil & gas sources are becoming harder to find and exploit. At the same time, industry must meet government commitments to reduce carbon emissions. Diversification of our energy sources will be key and within the East of England region we are well positioned with gas, nuclear, wind, biomass, biofuels, and carbon capture and storage on our doorstep. So, I feel confident and excited about the future for our industry.

• How did you get into the industry?

Initially I joined the Merchant Navy as an engineering apprentice and, after taking a degree in mechanical engineering at Southampton University, worked for Hawker Siddeley in their marine diesel engine division. There, I was involved in a project to design and build offshore power generation units for the British Gas Morecambe Bay field. They were larger and more complex than any I had seen before and I enjoyed the engineering challenges. From there I’ve continued working in the industry which I believe offers unrivalled interest and variety.

• If you weren't the Operations Director for Amec, what would be your dream job?

I’d be a highly-paid ski instructor in the winter and a race car instructor in the summer for a Russian oligarch who never actually turns up for his lessons, leaving me free to enjoy the slopes and race tracks!

• Who is your biggest inspiration?

In general, the biggest influences for me have been the people I have worked for and at AMEC currently we have some outstanding leaders and role models such as John Pearson and Neil Bruce.

• What is the highlight of your career to date?

I was a key member of the AMEC team who designed and built the Shell Bonga FPSO currently operating in Nigeria. It was hugely challenging with a 24,000 tonnes topsides, bigger than three football pitches laid end to end. Looking down as I flew over it in a helicopter for the first time, I felt enormous pride at what we had achieved.

• What would be your dream car?

For beauty and rarity I don’t think you can surpass a Ferrari 250 GTO.

• How do you relax in your spare time?

In addition to skiing and motorsport I enjoy travelling. My wife and I have been lucky enough to visit some amazing places such as South Africa, New Zealand and Namibia, and we still have plenty of other countries on our list.

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