The beginning
Leigh Watson
Leigh Watson

– MEng (Hons) Chemical Engineering with Industrial Experience
University of Manchester
Chartered Chemical Engineer

I relocated to Aberdeen to join the ConocoPhillips’ Graduate Scheme after graduating from The University of Manchester in 2014. At that point in time, I had some Chemical Engineering experience following a Year in Industry in the food sector.

My work with ConocoPhillips

I started in Aberdeen as a Process Engineer within the central Engineering Team providing support to both offshore and onshore assets.

My next role involved a move from Aberdeen to Lincolnshire where I was the Start-Up Lead for the Freon Replacement Project at Theddlethorpe Gas Terminal. This was a secondment to a major capital project, providing an opportunity to experience another part of the business as well as being site based.

On completion of the Freon Replacement Project, I moved back to Aberdeen to take up a role in the Health, Safety and Environment Team predominantly focused on Process Safety.

Having enjoyed being site based whilst at Theddlethorpe Gas Terminal, I was pleased to have the opportunity to relocate to Teesside to take up a role as Zone Engineer looking after the Utilities Area of site.

I am currently working as the FEL (Front End Loading) Lead for Teesside, managing a portfolio of projects through early development stages.

Career development

In every role I have worked in, I have ensured that I made the most of the opportunities presented and used the experiences to inform subsequent decisions around career development.

I have developed key technical skills in each of my roles as well growing a network of contacts. I feel I have a good understanding of the business from my exposure to a wide range of company assets and departments.

The future

I have enjoyed my varied career at ConocoPhillips so far and aim to continue progressing within the company.