Industry leaders have paid tribute to Deirdre Michie who has revealed plans to step down as CEO of the trade body Offshore Energies UK (OEUK).
Ms Michie has been in the post at the trade body, formerly known as Oil and Gas UK, for almost eight years.
She plans to step down by the end of the year.
Sir Ian Wood, chairman of ETZ Ltd and one of the industry’s highest profile industrialists said she helped establish OEUK “as a hugely respected organisation”.
He added: “The oil and gas industry, in particular, has had to navigate a period of unprecedented challenge over the last eight years and Deirdre has represented the sector with a real sense of purpose and intent.
“On a personal level, it has been a privilege to work closely with Deirdre throughout this period and I wish her well for the future.”
Stong, intelligent leadership
Andy Samuel, chief executive of the North Sea Transition Authority, said: “Deirdre is widely, and rightly, recognised for doing a tremendous job at OEUK during a period of significant change and challenge for the offshore industry.
“Under her strong and intelligent leadership, OEUK has evolved with the times, broadening its focus and membership from traditional oil and gas to include renewables and carbon storage.
“Deirdre was a driving force behind the North Sea Transition Deal which should give her a great sense of pride.
“It has been a privilege to work with Deirdre and I wish her well for the future.”
Jennifer Craw, chief executive of Opportunity North East (ONE), said: “Deirdre Michie has successfully led OEUK through significant change, repositioning this vital industry to power the nation’s transition to a low-carbon economy.
“This has been delivered through collaboration and innovation, and Deirdre has personally championed diversity and inclusion.
“On a personal note, Deirdre is a dear and valued friend, and I wish her every success with where she chooses to focus her energy and talent next.”
Jennifer Craw, CEO, Opportunity North East
“I worked closely with her on the steering group for the North Sea Transition Deal, which marked the pivotal moment for the industry to commit to net zero.
“She is also a founding board member of ONE and a passionate advocate for economic diversification – the founding principle of ONE.
“Her extensive experience in business and wise counsel have helped identify opportunities for growth and shaped action and investment in the region.
“On a personal note, Deirdre is a dear and valued friend, and I wish her every success with where she chooses to focus her energy and talent next.”
Colette Cohen, the chief executive of the Net Zero Technology Centre (NZTC), said Michie had made a “demonstrable impact on our industry during her time at OEUK.”
She added: “Her passion and tenacity have ensured that the energy sector has a voice amongst the noise and a seat at the table.
“She has championed collaboration, diversity, action and fairness for the benefit of the industry, the ripples of which extend beyond the northeast of Scotland.
“On a personal note, it has been a pleasure to work alongside such an accomplished female leader and I wish her all the best the future.”
Handing over the baton
Ms Michie, 57, has presided over challenging times since she took over the role.
Most recently she faced the UK government’s decision to impose a wind fall tax on oil and gas companies in the wake of spiralling profits made on high commodity prices that are causing mysery for cash strapped consumers across the UK.
Nevertheless she spearheaded an industry committment to make the North Sea net zero by 2050 as part of an agreement to forge a “North Sea Transition Deal” with UK government.
She said her successor would be “someone who can ensure a multi-year commitment to OEUK’s progress”.
She added:“It has been an extraordinary privilege to represent this industry through some of the most challenging times that it has had to deal with in its history.
“Working with the team at OEUK, our members and our stakeholders, I consider we have raised the bar in the way this industry and OEUK have continued to evolve, embracing the energy transition while at the same time helping to underpin the UK’s security of energy supply.
“Given my length of tenure and the evolution of the sector and of OEUK, it is important that I hand over to someone who can ensure a multi-year commitment to OEUK’s progress within what will continue to be a very dynamic environment.
“It is a real honour to represent this sector and its people – I admire their resilience and commitment to do the right thing and I thank them all for the support that they continue to give me and the team at OEUK.”
OEUK hopes to have a new CEO in place at the start of 2023.
Michie was a veteran of oil giant Shell, which she first joined in 1986 and was appointed to the helm of OEUK in 2015, taking over from Malcolm Webb.
Scottish government energy minister Michael Matheson thanked her for “her significant contribution to public policy on behalf of the energy industry”.
He added: “Her eight-year tenure as CEO has steered the industry body through a significant period of turbulence and transition.
“The change from Oil and Gas UK to Offshore Energies UK typifies the commitment Deirdre brought to ensuring the energy industry can adapt and take advantage of the economic opportunities of decarbonisation.
“Her contribution extends beyond the energy sector where she has promoted diversity and inclusion and acted as an inspiring role model for young women and girls, especially those considering a career in science and engineering.
“Under Deirdre’s leadership, OEUK has advocated passionately for its members and worked to ensure Scotland’s rich energy heritage has a bright future.
“The Scottish Government will continue to work closely with OEUK and I look forward to building on our constructive relationship with her successor.”
Conversation