If you work in the energy sector, your career will not be shaped by job boards alone. Progres opportunity and visibility often come down to relationships, who knows you, how well they know you, and whether they trust you enough to speak your name when you’re not in the room. That’s why this conversation matters.

In this episode of Energy Sector Heroes, I’m joined by Andy Lopata, author of multiple books on professional relationships and mentoring, to unpack what building a strong network actually looks like in practice, especially for people who find networking uncomfortable, intimidating or performative.

We talk openly about why asking for help feels hard, how to approach senior leaders without feeling out of place, and why many careers stall not because of lack of capability, but because people don’t invest enough in relationship depth. We also explore practical ways to engage on platforms like LinkedIn without feeling transactional, and how to show up in conversations with confidence, whether that’s one to one or in front of a room full of people.

This is a practical conversation about career momentum, not self promotion.

🔑 Key Takeaways

💬 Networking works best when it’s not about “networking”

1. Andy explains why focusing on people you genuinely want to know rather than what they can do for you leads to stronger, longer term professional relationships.

🤝 Asking for help is not weakness

1. We unpack why most people hesitate to ask, how to frame requests from a position of confidence, and why allowing others to help you actually strengthens relationships.

👀 Senior leaders are not as unapproachable as you think

1. The episode breaks down how to start conversations with experienced professionals in a way that feels respectful, natural and grounded without trying to impress or perform.

✅ Actionable Takeaways

📝 Audit your current network

1. Identify who already knows your work well enough to support you and who you need to deepen relationships with through follow up and consistent engagement.

📩 Make your outreach about them, not you

1. When messaging someone, lead with curiosity: ask what they’re working on, reference something they’ve shared, or acknowledge a conversation you’ve already had.

🎯 Practice asking for specific help

1. Replace vague requests with clear ones for example, asking for an introduction or advice on a defined decision and be comfortable with a “no.”

Welcome back to the podcast. In this episode, I’m joined by David Rodger, CEO of Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group, for a practical conversation about leadership, career transitions, and the evolution of the energy sector in the North East of Scotland.

David talks openly about his career path from his early work as a civil servant through to leading one of the region’s most influential renewable energy organisations. We explore the decisions, trade offs, and moments that shaped his trajectory, as well as what it really takes to build momentum in a sector that is constantly changing.

Together, we discuss the challenges of driving collaboration across industry, government, and supply chains, the realities behind major renewable projects, and how regional capability has developed over time. David also reflects on the role leadership plays in creating long term value not just for projects, but for people and communities.

This episode is a grounded look at how careers evolve, how energy transitions actually happen on the ground, and what it means to lead with clarity and intent in a complex industry.

If you work in energy, heavy industry, construction, engineering, or policy, or you’re trying to understand where credible long term work will come from in the UK, this episode matters. Carbon capture often gets talked about in abstract terms, but behind it are real projects, real jobs, and real decisions being made right now that will shape industrial careers for decades.

In this episode, I’m joined by Olivia Powis, CEO of the Carbon Capture and Storage Association, to talk about what carbon capture actually looks like on the ground: how the industry is being built, where the projects are, what skills are needed, and why timing matters for people considering their next move.

We discuss how carbon capture links decarbonisation with job protection, why the UK is well positioned to lead if it moves quickly enough, and what this means for graduates, mid career professionals, and those transitioning from oil and gas, construction, or heavy industry.

1. ⚙️ Carbon capture is no longer theoretical
2. Multiple UK projects have reached final investment decision, with more than 100 in the pipeline. This is now an execution challenge, not a technology debate.
3. 🧭 Skills transfer is central not optional
4. Subsurface, drilling, pipelines, construction, operations, project management, and regulation skills all carry across. Large-scale retraining isn’t the barrier many people assume it is.
5. 🏗️ Timing and policy certainty affect careers
6. Delays don’t just slow projects they risk losing experienced people overseas. Aligning project timelines with workforce transitions is critical.

1. 🔍 Map yourself to the value chain
2. Identify whether your skills fit capture, transport, storage, construction, or programme delivery then target companies active in that specific segment.
3. 📍 Follow projects, not headlines
4. Look at cluster locations, confirmed projects, and developer pipelines rather than general “net zero” announcements when planning career moves.
5. 🧠 Stay close to the industry conversation
6. Attend CCUS webinars, industry briefings, and technical events to understand where work will materialise and when.