Event Overview
The University of Aberdeen invites you to this year’s annual Watt Hepburn Lecture, delivered by energy sector leader, Doug Duguid.
On the Edge – not in the Hedge! Leadership and Managing Risk in a Fast-Growing Business and Changing Energy Landscape
A straight-talking view on what it really takes to build and grow successful service businesses in the energy sector.
In this keynote, Doug Duguid, CEO of Aurora Energy Services and Indigo 7 Ventures, shares an experience-led perspective on entrepreneurship, leadership, and decision-making. Drawing on a career spanning more than four decades — from mechanical fitter to CEO of three different international service companies — he challenges over reliance on conventional business management techniques, and highlights the importance of taking risks, action, resilience, and instinct in business success.
Through real-world examples of growth, risk, and leadership under pressure, Doug explores how opportunities are recognised and acted upon, why risk is unavoidable, and how strong teams underpin enduring businesses.
Schedule
5:00pm – Venue opens for registration
5:15pm – Catered networking session begins
6:00pm – Lecture begins
6:45-7:00pm – Q&A
7:00pm – Event ends
About the Speaker
Doug Duguid is CEO of Aurora Energy Services, an international, multi-disciplinary company supporting the international energy sector. Aurora is advancing the transition to a more sustainable energy future, from its heritage in Oil and Gas, through expanding services into lower carbon energy sectors in the UK, Australia, and the US.
In addition, Doug is also CEO of Indigo 7 Ventures, a family investment company that draws on the collective experience of its team to help early-stage businesses navigate challenges, avoid common pitfalls, and scale successfully.
Doug brings over 40 years of industry experience, with a mechanical engineering background and a career that began on the workshop floor. He founded and led EnerMech, which grew into an international business operating in 23 countries, employing around 4,000 people, and generating revenues of £415 million and an EBITDA of £50m.
Prior to that, he led the MBO of PSL Energy Services, growing it from a £20 million UK operation to a £110 million international business, leading to its sale, 4 years later, to Halliburton. Before his time at PSLES he spent a decade with KBR Production Services, overseeing operations across Europe, Africa, and Latin America.
Doug is recognised for his entrepreneurial leadership, operational expertise, and pragmatic perspective on the evolving global energy landscape.
About the Watt Hepburn Lecture
The University of Aberdeen Business School Watt Hepburn Lecture is supported by the University of Aberdeen Development Trust SCIO. The Watt Hepburn Lecture series was established in 2012 thanks to a donation from Aberdeen graduate Ann Sants, in memory of her father William Watt Hepburn who was an Aberdeen businessman and one of the most successful entrepreneurs of his generation.