Derek Blackwood

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Derek Blackwood, OBE - A Year in the GlobalScot Network

Last year was a very active year in the network for GlobalScot Derek Blackwood, OBE, president of the Wood Group's production and engineering facilities in the Americas. Derek was involved in a number of projects supporting both Scottish companies and university students.

In May, Derek held a series of meetings with Scottish companies at the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston, Texas. OTC is the world's foremost event for the development of offshore resources in the fields of drilling, exploration, production, and environmental protection. Derek had one to one meetings with 9 Scottish companies during his extremely busy schedule at the conference. Later in the summer, the Wood Group played host to 6 Saltire Foundation students who spent 8 weeks at the company's site in Houston, Texas. The students gained valuable experience in a number of different areas of the company, including gas turbines and business development.

An Evening with Derek Blackwood took place in Glasgow in September, where 26 Scottish companies had the opportunity to

meet with Derek and listen to him discuss the Oil & Gas sector in USA, issues that are affecting companies in the industry and how he can assist companies as a GlobalScot. The feedback from all companies attending was overwhelmingly positive. One company commented, "I was very impressed by the focus of the presentation and the very relevant advice given on the subject. The subject matter was of particular relevance to my company and has certainly helped to direct tactics for entering the US market."

As well as all of this, he also found time to answer numerous direct support requests from companies across Scotland looking for help growing their businesses. A generous contributor to the GlobalScot network, it was no surprise to see Derek pick up an award at this year's Scottish Leadership awards in October. The special honour of 'International Scot Services to Scotland Leader of the Year' was awarded to Derek. One of his nominators commented, "Derek deserves recognition for all the work he has done to help Scottish businesses. We need more people like him."

 

Biography

Derek Blackwood, OBE, is president of the Wood Group's production and engineering facilities in the Americas. Derek transferred to Houston in 1999 to develop the Wood Group's production and engineering facilities business. He is responsible for the organic and acquisitive growth of the business unit, and for all Integrated Services Businesses involving engineering, construction modifications, operations and maintenance and for collaboration between all Wood Group companies in the Americas region.

Prior to the Wood Group, Derek was the Managing Director of APG/Salamis JV Ltd for five years, and Offshore Installation Manager for Marathon and an Engineer for John Brown Engineering. He and his wife Jean have been in Houston since April 1999 along with their daughter, Heather, and a son, Stuart, who is currently living in Aberdeen.