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Taproom Talks

OGV Group

22 episodes

2 weeks ago

Send us a text In this episode Kenny is joined by Steve Swindell former CEO of Xodus where they discuss the truth behind building and scaling a 20-year energy consultancy. Steve reveals his unexpected career launch, from chemical engineering in apartheid South Africa to a "sliding door" moment that led him to Aberdeen. He pulls back the curtain on the hardest lessons, including the cash flow blunder that almost sank the company, the harsh reality of private equity's "loan notes," and the pers...

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Entrepreneurship

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Send us a text In this episode Kenny is joined by Steve Swindell former CEO of Xodus where they discuss the truth behind building and scaling a 20-year energy consultancy. Steve reveals his unexpected career launch, from chemical engineering in apartheid South Africa to a "sliding door" moment that led him to Aberdeen. He pulls back the curtain on the hardest lessons, including the cash flow blunder that almost sank the company, the harsh reality of private equity's "loan notes," and the pers...

Show more...

Entrepreneurship

Episodes (20/22)

Taproom Talks

The Hidden Cost of Growth: Why Xodus's CEO Felt "Naive" After Their First Sale w/Steve Swindell

Send us a text In this episode Kenny is joined by Steve Swindell former CEO of Xodus where they discuss the truth behind building and scaling a 20-year energy consultancy. Steve reveals his unexpected career launch, from chemical engineering in apartheid South Africa to a "sliding door" moment that led him to Aberdeen. He pulls back the curtain on the hardest lessons, including the cash flow blunder that almost sank the company, the harsh reality of private equity's "loan notes," and the pers...

2 weeks ago

41 minutes

Taproom Talks

"The UK Government Is HELL-BENT on Killing the Oil Industry" - Conrad Ritchie

Send us a text In this episode of Taproom Talks Kenny is joined by Conrad Ritchie formally of Score Group and current chairman of multiple charities. Conrad dives into his nearly four-decade career in the oil and gas industry, starting as an apprentice the week of the Piper Alpha disaster and later serving as Managing Director. He shares the immense pride and financial investment behind Score Group's renowned apprenticeship program, which at one point took on 100 youngsters a year.Conrad refl...

3 weeks ago

44 minutes

Taproom Talks

Lessons from the North Sea, Aberdeen FC, and Life's Toughest Battles - The Career of George Yule

Send us a text In this episode of Taproom Talks, Kenny is joined by Aberdeen legend George Yule, whose career spans from a British Rail apprenticeship and early North Sea oil days to the boardroom. George shares the profound lessons learned as a young manager dealing with the devastating aftermath of the Chinook helicopter disaster. He recounts his entrepreneurial journey, from the challenges of his first startup, Clean Ocean, during the $9 oil crash, to the explosive success of Dominio...

1 month ago

1 hour 1 minute

Taproom Talks

Stuart Broadley: The Full Story He's NEVER Shared Before

Send us a text In this episode of Taproom Talks Kenny is joined by Stuart Broadley of EIC to discuss his remarkable 35-year career journey, spanning from a young leader steering a challenging Rolls-Royce legacy business to transforming the Energy Industries Council (EIC) into a global force. Stuart shares his experience running a factory at age 27, his time in the oil and gas sector with Wood Group, and his pivot to renewables with a wind turbine company. He then details the five key st...

1 month ago

1 hour 2 minutes

Taproom Talks

The Inquisitive Engineer: Chris Bird's Secrets to Outperforming Major Operators

Send us a text In this episode Kenny is joined by Chris Bird of Riskwell, who is also the Chief Development Officer for Meridian Resources and the disciplined head of risk for Fiteq. Chris details his unique journey from an engineering apprenticeship to a distinguished career in oil and gas, with a focus on risk management and innovation.He shares how a mindset of inquisitiveness and courage led to remarkable project successes, including drastically reducing the cost of the Kingfisher project...

1 month ago

1 hour 13 minutes

Taproom Talks

The Real Story Behind The Last Breath with Deep-Sea Survivor Chris Lemons

Send us a text In this episode of Taproom Talks Kenny Dooley is joined by commercial diver and supervisor Chris Lemons to discuss his incredible journey in the deep-sea diving industry. Chris recounts his path from a "lost" young man to a saturation diver, detailing the challenging, high-pressure reality of the job, including the mental toll of living in a confined chamber for 28 days. The conversation also explores the catastrophic 2012 incident where a computer failure left him stranded on ...

1 month ago

49 minutes

Taproom Talks

Big Partnership's Zoe Ogilvie: Unpacking a Career in Communications

Send us a text In this episode of Taproom Talks Kenny Dooley is joined by Zoe Ogilvie of Big Partnership. Zoe, who recently semi-retired, shares her journey in marketing and communications, from her early days in Paris, to establishing the Aberdeen office of Big Partnership. She discusses the challenges and triumphs of growing a successful agency, the importance of company culture, leadership through communication, and the evolution of the PR and marketing industry. Zoe also touches on ...

2 months ago

40 minutes

Taproom Talks

Navigating Change: Ian Ord's Insights on Digital Transformation and Business Culture

Send us a text In this episode of Taproom Talks, Kenny is joined by Ian Ord of Fifth Ring, an Aberdeen-founded marketing communications business that has grown to serve clients globally. Ian shares his journey from aspiring accountant to advertising professional and the founding of Fifth Ring in 1993. He discusses the evolution of the agency from a generalist to a B2B specialist in the energy industry, its international expansion to Singapore and Houston, and the significant impact of the dig...

2 months ago

54 minutes

Taproom Talks

Phil Milton’s Playbook: Scaling a Startup in a Volatile Industry

Send us a text In this episode of Taproom Talks, Kenny Dooley is joined by Phil Mote, CEO and co-founder of Well-safe Solutions. Phil shares his incredible journey from an apprentice at Halliburton to leading a company that's revolutionising the decommissioning sector in the oil and gas industry. Discover the challenges of starting a business from scratch, navigating market downturns like Covid and the EPL levy, expanding globally to Australia and Southeast Asia, and the importance of...

2 months ago

50 minutes

Taproom Talks

Beyond Net Zero: The Future of Carbon Utilisation with Beena Sharma

Send us a text In this episode of taproom talks Kenny is joined by Beena Sharma from CCU International. Beena shares her fascinating journey, from starting with a law degree to transitioning into the energy industry, and eventually co-founding CCU International. She discusses the challenges of commercialising carbon capture technology, the importance of carbon utilisation, and the misconceptions surrounding carbon capture and storage. Beena also talks about her work with Women in New En...

2 months ago

1 hour 5 minutes

Taproom Talks

Building Empires with Colin Manson

Send us a text In this episode of Taproom Talks, Kenny Dooley is joined by Colin Manson from Xergy Group, who shares his journey from chemical engineering to building successful businesses in the oil and gas industry. He recounts his early career at Enterprise Oil and Genesis, leading to the founding of Exodus in 2005, which rapidly grew to 750 people. Manson discusses the sale of Exodus to a Japanese company in 2013, reflecting on the challenges and lessons learned. He then details the crea...

2 months ago

1 hour

Taproom Talks

Mark Skinner Unpacks the Cycles of Industry and the Power of Paying it Forward

Send us a text In this episode of Taproom Talks, Kenny Dooley sits down with Mark Skinner of Scotsbridge. Mark shares his journey from an apprentice mechanic to managing director of John Bell Pipeline, detailing how he and Brian Thompson grew the company and navigated the cyclical oil and gas industry. He also discusses the decision to sell John Bell Pipeline to Bianco Group and his subsequent role in internationalising their businesses, which ultimately led to the creation of Scotsbridge. ...

3 months ago

45 minutes

Taproom Talks

From Battlefield to Boardroom: Steve Beedie's Unfiltered Story

Send us a text In this powerful episode of Taproom Talks, host Kenny Dooley sits down with Steve Beedie of Unspoken Wounds. Steve shares his incredibly raw and honest journey, from a challenging childhood in Banff and joining the Army at 16, to enduring harrowing tours in Kosovo and Iraq. He recounts the traumatic experiences that led to his struggles with PTSD, including a deeply affecting incident in Kosovo and the murder of six RMP in Basra.Steve opens up about his multiple suicide attempt...

3 months ago

59 minutes

Taproom Talks

Davis Larssen on 'Why the UK Needs a 20-Year Energy Plan' (and Why We Don't Have One)

Send us a text This episode of Taproom Talks features Kenny Dooley in conversation with Davis Larrsen, the CEO of Proserv. Davis, with over 30 years in the energy industry, shares his journey from the North East of England to leading a global company headquartered in Aberdeen. He discusses his progression from a financial analyst at Schlumberger to CEO, crediting strong mentors and a willingness to embrace uncomfortable challenges. Davis also highlights Proserv's strategic pivot into renewabl...

3 months ago

45 minutes

Taproom Talks

COVID, Eviction, and Acquisition: The Unfiltered Truth from Tristam Horn

Send us a text In this episode of Taproom Talks features Kenny Dooley in conversation with Tristam Horn, an energy entrepreneur and former drilling engineer who founded Delta Tech in 2015. Tristam shares the challenging journey of building Delta Tech from the ground up, navigating early R&D, funding struggles during the 2015 oil price crash, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on his business and personal life. He discusses the critical role of organizations like the OGTC (now Net Zer...

3 months ago

43 minutes

Taproom Talks

Piper Alpha, Politicians, and the Truth About Net Zero: A Hard-Hitting Talk with Ray Riddoch

Send us a text In this episode of Taproom Talks features Kenny Dooley in conversation with Ray Riddoch, a veteran of the UK oil and gas industry since 1981. Ray shares insights from his decades-long career, from working offshore and overseas to leading Nexen (later CNOOC) as the largest oil and gas producer in the UK. He discusses the evolution of leadership, the impact of significant events like Piper Alpha, the changing industry landscape, and the crucial role of technology and people in t...

4 months ago

40 minutes

Taproom Talks

Mick Beavers: From Quarry to £10M Business & Mental Health Advocacy

Ever wonder how a guy goes from dusty limestone quarries to running a multi-million-pound business? Tune into this episode of Taproom Talks, where Kenny Dooley chats with Mick Beavers, the driving force behind Control Valve Solutions. Mick spills the beans on his incredible journey, kicking off in some seriously old-school quarries before building his empire. But it's not just about business wins. Mick gets real about his personal battles with mental health, sharing his story as a two-time...

4 months ago

1 hour 24 minutes

Taproom Talks

The Shocking Truth About the Oil Industry (and Why You're Wrong About It)

On this episode of Taproom Talks, host Kenny Dooley sits down with NJ Ayuk JD, Chairman of the African Energy Chamber and organiser of Africa Energy Week. They delve into NJ's journey from civil rights lawyer to a key figure in the energy sector, discussing his personal background and the formation of Centurion Law Group. The conversation covers the challenges and rewards of building a Pan-African law company, including overcoming racial barriers.A significant portion of the discussion focuse...

4 months ago

46 minutes

Taproom Talks

Bob Keiller: The Leadership Secrets Behind a Billion-Dollar Sale

In this episode of Taproom Talks, host Kenny Dooley sits down with Bob Keiller, Chair of Our Union Street and Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce. Bob shares his incredible journey, from his early career to transitioning into the oil and gas industry, and eventually leading a management buyout of part of Halliburton's business. He recounts the audacious move of approaching Halliburton's CFO to buy the production services division, the challenges of securing funding (including that mem...

4 months ago

1 hour 6 minutes

Taproom Talks

The Motive Behind Success: James Gregg's Offshore Energy Expansion

In this episode of Taproom Talks, host Kenny Dooley sits down with James Gregg, a co-founder and European Regional Director of Motive Offshore Group. James shares the incredible story of Motive, from its humble beginnings in a car garage to becoming a global leader in offshore equipment, now employing 380 people. James takes listeners back to his roots in rural Cornhill, growing up around his dad's car garage, which unknowingly laid the groundwork for his entrepreneurial spirit. He recount...

5 months ago

38 minutes