A Dundee University graduate is the new chief executive of Oil & Gas UK, the leading trade organisation for the offshore industry.
Deirdre Michie will replace Malcolm Webb who retires at the end of May.
She will be based in Oil & Gas UK’s Aberdeen office and will also have an office in London.
A graduate in Scots law from Dundee University, she 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.”
She joins Oil & Gas UK at a crucial time for the industry.
The trade body is spearheading collaboration on cost reduction and efficiency initiatives as well as leading discussions with the UK Government on tax and regulatory reform.
It is playing a vital role in implementing the Wood Review recommendations on maximising economic recovery of the UK’s oil and gas offshore resource.
At Shell she built an impressive track record in a near-30-year career where she held senior UK and global upstream and downstream management positions.
She worked extensively in operator and supply chain roles and cemented her credentials in strategic contracting and procurement, commercial negotiation and communications.
As Shell Exploration and Production UK’s senior commercial negotiator, she was responsible for commercial and legal negotiations.
She moved on to external affairs, became head of communications for the UK with Shell Europe Upstream and was later made contracting and procurement manager for Europe where she was responsible for a multi-billion annual strategy.
She holds several roles in the local business community including board membership of North East of Scotland College and council membership of Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce.
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.”