Head of Oils Research at Wood Mackenzie

Kate Broughton
Head of Oils Research, Edinburgh

I joined Wood Mackenzie in 1991 as a North Sea upstream analyst. I was looking for a job with a commercial slant having worked for a geological consultancy and completed a sedimentology PhD. It turned out to be a great opportunity, and I was soon meeting asset managers and business development groups in all the companies active in the UK sector.

I later became interested in developing new or improved research products for our clients, which involved liaising with our technology team, testing ideas with clients, and working with our marketing group on brochures and campaigns. I have held product manager roles for several of Wood Mackenzie's offerings, including PathFinder and Global Oil Supply Service.

In 2007, I moved into a managerial role with a team of 20+ analysts who produce six different research products. The job calls for strong organisational skills and a firm understanding of our business environment. I am involved in strategic planning decisions, budget setting, recruitment and, of course, overseeing the quality of the research that the team produces.

Why do I enjoy working for Wood Mackenzie? The variety of roles on offer; the intellectual "buzz" of the organisation; flexible working (I worked part time while my children were younger); and I anticipate interesting opportunities as the company continues to expand.