Meet
the Team

Director

Professor Paul de Leeuw

Paul is a senior industry leader and executive with over 33 years’ experience in the global energy sector. He has worked for a wide range of companies, including Shell, Marathon Oil, Amoco, BP, Venture Production and Centrica.

He is currently the Director of Robert Gordon University’s Energy Transition Institute, Chair of the National Energy Skills Accelerator, Chair of PlanSea Solutions, a Board member of the International School in Aberdeen and a Professor at Robert Gordon University (UK).

Paul is an experienced non-executive director, with over 20 years of involvement in public, private and voluntary sector organisations.

He is also a regular contributor to industry events and a frequent media commentator on issues and developments in the international energy sector.

RGU ETI Drilling Simulator Manager

Professor Phil Hassard

Phil joined RGU in 2016 from BP, and brings more than 35 years of experience as a senior energy professional, with a proven track record of knowledge and achievement in the energy sector. Phil has spent the last 18 years in learning and development leadership roles, expanding the learning experience gained utilising training and wells Simulators, similar to the RGU Simulator suite including the P&A Simulator in Aberdeen.

Phil said: “I am delighted to be part of the RGU Energy Transition Institute at this challenging time for the energy industry and I am keen to expand RGU’s capabilities further for the Energy Transition market to take advantage of our technology, in improving student knowledge, business performance whether in geothermal, carbon capture wells performance, de-commissioning and O&G requirements by accessing our experience and technology.

Administration Manager

Isobel Milne

Isobel joined the Energy Transition Institute in 2017 and has worked for several oil related service companies in various Commercial and Administration roles. Isobel has previously worked in Higher Education and ran her own freelance PA business which involved working for several new start-up companies in the Oil and Gas Sector. Her experience includes marketing, accounting, HR and change management in the business environment. She holds a BA Hons in Business Administration.

Associate Vice Principal, Business and Economic Development

Donella Beaton

Head of Business Development

Sarah Hillyear

Principal Project Manager

Sumin Kim

With over a decade of experience in the global energy sector, Sumin Kim brings a wealth of expertise gained from working within both the services sector and the operator community.

Since joining the ETI team in 2017, she has been instrumental in providing invaluable insights for the energy industry’s transition initiatives. She has contributed to a wide spectrum of industry strategic projects, including UKCS Workforce Dynamic Reviews, the formulation of Roadmap 2035, the OGUK Diversity and Inclusion survey report, the UK Offshore Energy Workforce Transferability review, and the enhancement of visibility in the UKCS supply chain and workforce.

Business Development Manager

Christina Laing

Christina joined the team in early 2018 as Business Development Manager. She has a BSc (Hons) in Petroleum Geology and over 6 years Business Development experience across numerous departments ranging from Drilling, HSE, subsea, contracts and procurement in the Oil and Gas industry both locally in the UK and internationally. She has worked with small private companies through to multinational supermajors and has experience in dealing with numerous Government entities and National Oil companies Globally.

Business Development Manager

Neale Farman

Neale Farman joined the RGU Business Development team in 2020, with a key focus on supporting and developing the universities Net Zero related activities. Neale has an MSc in International Business from RGU, and has business development experience in various sectors, managing and supporting business to business activities.