For anyone building a career in energy, considering starting a business, or wondering whether their career has to follow a conventional route, this episode looks at what actually matters over the long term: learning, commitment, relationships, commercial awareness and being prepared to adapt when circumstances change.
In this episode of Energy Sector Heroes, I’m joined by Mark Skinner, Managing Director of Scotchbridge, a business operating from Singapore and Aberdeen that helps UK companies develop opportunities across Southeast Asia.
Mark’s career didn’t begin with university or a carefully mapped-out plan. He left school at 16, started work as a motor mechanic and later moved into industries including distilling, paper and oil & gas. He learned much of what he knows by working alongside experienced people, eventually becoming a business owner and helping grow John Bell Pipeline before selling the company in 2017.
We talk about what that experience taught him and why learning through other people, doing the work and paying attention to how businesses operate can be just as important as formal development.
🌏 We also explore international growth and Southeast Asia. Mark explains why Scotchbridge focused on the ASEAN region and discusses opportunities across markets including Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia. We look at what companies need before trying to enter a new market—including research, resources, connections and the stamina to stay with it.
💼 Entrepreneurship is another major part of our conversation. Mark is very clear that running a business requires more than having an idea. We discuss researching whether customers actually want what you're offering, finding a point of difference, having enough funding to survive periods without sales and understanding the sacrifices that can come with owning a business.
We also talk about something that can easily get overlooked: knowing when to switch off. Mark works with business owners and managing directors and explains why constantly working isn't sustainable—and why burnout ultimately doesn't help the individual, their employees or their clients.
🎓 For graduates and people earlier in their careers, we discuss choosing employers carefully, learning from experienced colleagues, finding mentors and giving yourself enough time within an organisation to understand how a business actually works. Mark also shares his perspective on frequent job-hopping and why employers may value evidence of commitment and development.
And we talk about mistakes. Rather than pretending they can be avoided, Mark discusses learning from them, not repeatedly making the same ones and having people around you who can offer both encouragement and constructive feedback.
Three Key Takeaways
🔹 Your career doesn't have to follow a predetermined route. Mark moved from being a motor mechanic to working across industry, becoming a business owner and eventually developing companies internationally. What mattered was continuing to learn and applying himself as opportunities emerged.
🔹 Research comes before assumption. Whether you're starting a company or entering an international market, enthusiasm alone isn't enough. Speak to customers, buyers and end users, understand the market and establish whether there is a genuine need for what you're offering.
🔹 Relationships accelerate learning. Mentors, experienced colleagues and professional connections can give you knowledge that is difficult to acquire alone. You don't necessarily need a mentor who has followed exactly the same career—they need experience and the ability to challenge and support you.
Three Actionable Takeaways
✅ Test an idea before investing heavily in it. If you're considering a business or new service, speak directly with potential customers and end users. Ask what they currently use, what isn't working and whether your proposed solution solves a problem they would actually pay to address.
✅ Identify someone you can learn from. Look within your company or professional network for someone with more experience who is willing to share what they've learned. Ask specific questions rather than simply asking them to "be your mentor."
✅ Audit where you're putting your effort. Being busy isn't the same as being effective. Look at what you're doing each week and identify which activities are actually developing your skills, strengthening customer relationships or moving your career or business forward.
