Scots law graduate made chief executive of offshore industry trade organisation

Deirdre Michie (pictured) will replace Malcolm Webb as chief executive of Oil & Gas UK in May.

Ms Michie, who holds a Scots law degree from Dundee University said: “I am really delighted to have been appointed to this important industry role and look forward to working with the high-performance team that is Oil & Gas UK.

“This is a hugely challenging time for the industry that will require us all — industry, government and the new regulator — to work cooperatively and collaboratively to ensure we address the issues that face us.

“This is a great industry, a key part of the British economy and with a UK-based supply chain that is world-class.

“Oil & Gas UK has a crucial role in helping the industry to emerge from the current downturn on a stronger, fitter and more sustainable footing that will see the UK producing oil and gas from its offshore areas for decades to come.

“It is a role I will greatly relish.”

Ms Michie joins the trade body at an important time as it leads discussions with the UK government on regulatory and tax reform.

She was previously at Shell for nearly 30 years where she held senior management positions and worked in supply chain and operator roles and developed expertise in contracting and procurement as well as commercial negotiations and communications.

In addition, Ms Michie was responsible for commercial and legal negotiations at Shell Exploration.

After moving on to external affairs, she became head of communications for the UK with Shell Europe Upstream and was subsequently made contracting and procurement manager for Europe.

Oil & Gas UK co-chairman John Pearson said: “Oil & Gas UK is a high performing organisation and its members expect a lot of it.

“Deirdre is the right person to take up the helm and steer it to meet those expectations.”