OPITO makes interim CEO permanent

Global safety, standards, and workforce development organization OPITO has appointed a new chief executive officer (CEO).

OPITO said on Wednesday that it named John McDonald to the CEO role as it seeks to further drive the international skills agenda for the oil and gas industry.

McDonald has been the interim CEO since January and previously the organization’s UK managing director after joining in 2012. The appointment comes after an external and internal recruitment process following the sudden death of former CEO David Doig earlier this year.

John Taylor, chairman of OPITO, said: “John is a strong advocate for OPITO and has demonstrated that he brings the impressive blend of skills and experience we were looking for to lead the organization going forward.”

Deirdre Michie, CEO of Oil & Gas UK, added: “Oil & Gas UK welcomes John’s appointment as CEO and looks forward to working with him and his team to build on the very important work that OPITO already delivers on behalf of the industry.”

Before joining OPITO, McDonald was a director at ACTVET, the government body in charge of creating a vocational education and training system in Abu Dhabi. He was previously a director at the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA).

The newly appointed CEO said: “I plan to ensure that OPITO continues to be the global industry-led organization that is not only driving and delivering the skills agenda but is also helping to modernize  standards and the way we improve competency by embracing digital technologies.”

OPITO added it was also gearing up to launch a new industry-led initiative later this year to create a step change in training to standards through technology-driven innovation. The digital BOSIET suite will set a marker in the move toward integrated digital learning.

The digital package is currently being road-tested, and the organization hopes that it would provide an interactive, online alternative to the classroom element, giving users the opportunity to learn at their own pace and gain time back through reduced days away from work.

The digital theme will also influence this year’s OPITO Safety and Competence Conference (OSCC), which will take place on November 8 at the Royale Chulan, Kuala Lumpur.

Over 450 delegates and 35 exhibitors are expected to attend the event where leaders from the oil and gas supply chain and experts in safety and competency will participate in keynote sessions and panel debates.