If you're building a career in energy whether you're just starting out, considering a move, or thinking about going out on your own this episode matters because it shows what a real career path can look like when it doesn’t follow a straight line.

In this conversation, I sit down with Nigel MacLean, Managing Director of Entuergy, who shares how he moved from offshore technician to running his own consultancy, working across both traditional oil & gas and newer energy projects.

We talk about career transitions, how skills carry across sectors, and what actually happens when you step into self employment in the energy industry.

What stood out to me is how much of a career is shaped by decisions made at uncertain moments redundancy, switching paths, or taking opportunities that weren’t part of the original plan. Nigel also speaks openly about the realities of building a business, from finding work to managing growth and staying relevant in a changing energy landscape.

There’s also a strong message here for anyone worried about the future of energy jobs the work is still there, but it may not look like it used to.

🔑 Key Takeaways

⚙️ Early hands-on experience creates long term advantage

Starting “on the tools” gave Nigel a foundation that shaped everything that followed especially in leadership roles later in his career.

🔄 Energy careers don’t need to stay in one lane

The same project and engineering skills can move across oil & gas, renewables, power, and even into areas like legal expert work.

📈 Self-employment is less about freedom and more about responsibility

Building a consultancy means managing pipeline, brand, relationships, and delivery all at the same time.

✅ Actionable Takeaways

🧭 Build transferable skills early

Focus on project delivery, stakeholder management, and execution in complex environments these skills travel across industries.

🤝 Stay visible and relevant

Share your work, insights, or observations (even short form content) to keep yourself in people’s awareness opportunities often come through visibility.

⚖️ Don’t assume you need to take a pay cut to change sector

Look for ways to position your experience so it translates commercially adaptation matters more than starting over.