Meet the Team




The driving force behind our business.
The people who work at WeConnect Energy share the vision and values of our company, but more importantly, our community.
Since our humble beginnings, we have grown from to a tight-knit, multicultural and dynamic team of over 15 people, and we are growing by the month! We have accomplished a lot over the years, but this is only the beginning - we are ambitious, and we hire people who have that entrepreneurial spirit.
Our team are committed to delivering results with unwavering integrity, honesty, and reliability. Our team are the cornerstone of our success (and are a great bunch of people too!). We spend our time connecting energy experts, but do so whilst having fun and giving back to our local communities. We are a passionate group, with a diverse range of backgrounds and specialities. Meet the WeConnect Energy team below.

Meet the Leadership Team

Richard Madden
Richard founded WeConnect Energy's predecessor, Subsurface Global, in August 2008, with the intention of growing a contracting and recruitment company that would provide a superior level of expertise and service to the E&P industry. Having led Subsurface Global to success, he helped manage the rebrand in 2023. Richard’s personal motto, “Challenge the Future”, represents his entrepreneurial vision and desire to raise industry standards and encourage a consultative, creative approach to our organisation. Richard holds a BSc (Hons) Degree in Engineering and Management from Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh. He is an active member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), Geoscience Energy Society of Great Britain (GESGB) and The Scottish Energy Forum.
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Peter Bottomley
Peter is WeConnect Energy's Chief Operating Officer, with responsibility for client relationships and growth across our international operations. Over the last decade, Peter has developed a global network of clients, consultants and candidates, and he is dedicated to the provision of our tailored recruitment solutions to the energy industry. Peter holds an MA (Hons) Degree from The University of Edinburgh and is an active member of the Geoscience Energy Society of Great Britain (GESGB) and The Scottish Energy Forum.
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Shane Kirk
Shane joined the WeConnect Energy management team in 2023, taking on the role of Marketing Manager at our headquarters in Edinburgh. Shane has an extensive background in Marketing, holding both a bachelor's and master's degree in this field. Additionally, he earned a postgraduate qualification from the Irish Management Institute and a professional diploma from University College Dublin. With nearly six years of experience in various marketing roles in the tech industry, he is now responsible for WeConnect Energy's marketing function and the brand. He also oversaw the company's rebranding from Subsurface Global in September 2023. He's partial to a trip abroad, chilli sauce, and Dundalk F.C.
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Jane Robb
Jane joined WeConnect Energy in January 2023 as Business Support Manager in our Edinburgh HQ. Working for over 30 years in the recruitment industry, primarily in payroll and invoice management, Jane is involved in WeConnect's support functions, overseeing our Finance, HR & Business Support functions. Jane is a member of the Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals and is passionate about utilising her experience to ensure that our operations are streamlined and contribute to the growth of our business.
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Meet the Team

Andrew Fenning
Andrew joined the predecessor of WeConnect Energy (Subsurface Global) in 2012 to set up the Drilling & Wells division within the company. He quickly established a strong reputation in the market for his determination and dedication. In his role as Lead Consultant, he helped establish the SSG Drilling brand and supported the business to grow its presence in the UK and the UAE, as well as opening an operational office in Kurdistan, Iraq. Andrew's goal is to continue to lead the Drilling & Wells division, maintaining the high standards of integrity, honesty and reliability. Originally from Belfast, Andrew moved to Edinburgh in 2005 to study Business Management at Queen Margaret University. He now lives just outside the city with his wife Leanne and his two sons, Harry and Bobby. An avid sports fan, Andrew is a keen supporter of Liverpool FC and the Ulster Rugby Team.
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Cecille Soliven
Cecille joined in 2013 and holds a BS in Secondary Education with a major in English Literature and is an undergraduate MA in Education. As the Administration and Logistics Manager, Cecille has played an important role in building our Abu Dhabi office in the UAE, ensuring that operations run smoothly. Behind the scenes, you might find her enjoying her weekends and holidays baking cakes and cookies, or perhaps playing with her cat. After all, there's a beautifully human side to every story.
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Chris Morrison
Chris joined the team in Feburary 2020 and his expertise and focus is in the Subsurface disciplines, specialising in Petroleum Engineering, Reservoir Engineering and Production Technology. Chris has completed a BSc in Sports Scienece and is a keen outdoor and fitness enthusiast.
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Christine Ablin
Christine is the Finance Manager at WeConnect Energy and has been working here for over six years. She plays a crucial role in managing the financial aspects of the company which includes receivable and payable management, financial planning, reporting, controls and analysis, and taxation and regulatory compliance. She believes in 'Striving for Excellence' in all her endeavors. Christine is a Certified Public Accountant and holds a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy from Xavier University, Philippines. She boasts a career spanning 16 years in the world of Finance and Audit. In her leisure hours, she enjoys reading and spending quality time with her husband and sons.
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Steve Shameral
Steve is a seasoned professional with a background in hospitality and customer relations. He is currently in the process of obtaining his BSHRM (Bachelor Of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management) degree, and has dedicated a decade to the dynamic hospitality industry, honing his skills and expertise. He is our Customer Relations Officer here at WeConnect Energy. His personal motto is, "Never Give Up," and tries to live by this in his personal and professional life. He belives that his focus on exceptional service and his unyielding determination, make him a valuable asset in building lasting relationships and ensuring customer satisfaction.
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Chris Kelly
Chris became a member of the WeConnect Energy team in January 2023, with a specialised focus in the areas of Geology, Geophysics, Petrophysics, and Operations Geology. Joining us after a successful tenure at PwC within the Asset & Wealth Management division, he brings with him an exceptional attention to detail and resolute commitment to enhancing WeConnect Energy's core G&G disciplines. Chris' academic background includes a Joint-Honours MA in Finance and Business Management from The University of Aberdeen.
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Mhyca Castillo
Mhyca holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accountancy from the Philippine School of Business Administration, and achieved her Certified Public Accountant license in 2017. Her academic journey equipped her with a deep understanding of financial principles, and she has a commitment to delivering financial insights to a very high standard. She is our dedicated Finance Assistant within WeConnect Energy, where she contributes to the company's financial initiatives. She works hard in acquiring knowledge that continues to help shape her commitment to delivering excellence.Mhyca’s personal motto, “Turning Dreams into Reality” reminds her to not only set ambitious goals but also work hard to achieve them, transforming aspirations into concrete achievements.
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Andrew Pretswell
Andrew is an experienced Commercial Consultant, specialising in Commercial, Strategy, Portfolio, Business Development & Executive Search. He became a member of WeConnect Energy' predecessor (Subsurface Global) in 2021, with the goal of strengthening and expanding our Corporate Division. His collaborative approach and industry insights make him a valuable asset in shaping WeConnect Energy's journey, actively contributing to the Corporate Divisions' growth over the last two years. Andrew's academic background includes an MA (Hons) in International Business Management from Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh.
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Bryce Robertson
Bryce is a dynamic professional who joined WeConnect Energy's (formerly Subsurface Global) Commercial team in early 2023, leading Legal, Economics, and Corporate Affairs. With a Business and Human Resources background from Stirling University, Bryce combines strategic acumen with interpersonal finesse. At WeConnect Energy, Bryce nurtures global Oil & Gas connections, fostering knowledge exchange. He exceeds expectations, driven by his commitment to excellence and building meaningful relationships. Bryce's rugby background reflects his teamwork spirit. He actively contributes to an Edinburgh rugby team – a team that amusingly boasts sponsorship from none other than WeConnect Energy. Beyond his role, Bryce genuinely cares to grasp client and candidate needs for optimal outcomes. His dedication to understanding underlines his role his pivotal role in building effective teams for operators in the Oil & Gas sector, while also assisting individuals in finding their next best opportunity.
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Beatrice Crespi
Beatrice is one of our graduates who joined the team in October 2023 as a Consultant. Her focus in the company is to support the Corporate Division with resourcing and recruiting, while simultaneously researching business opportunities for our new Low Carbon & New Energies Division, which will be active from January, 2024. Beatrice with her MSc in International Business Management with Human Resources Management from Heriot-Watt University, brings to the table fresh perspectives, a deep understanding of the international context, and interpersonal skills: essential tools for relationships building. In her free time, Beatrice enjoys spending time with her friends, travelling, and reading.
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Tanya Kurkina
Tanya joined WeConnect Energy in 2023, coming from 12 years of Learning & Development, Talent Management and HR Operations primarily in Oil & Gas Research and Data Analytics industries. In her role, Tanya supports both the Business and Employees, by implementing best practices and policies, enhancing training and development offerings, recruiting exceptional people for the internal team and introducing social committee and wellness initiatives. Tanya holds a Masters Degree in Teaching Languages and Literature from the Melitopol University, Ukraine. She is qualified L&D and HR Management CIPD Associate and Mental Health First Aider. She believes that Human Resources should be 'Human' particularly in the People Business like WeConnect Energy and in the current world of AI! Tanya loves spending time with her family, being active with her little kids and provide support to Ukrainian charities.
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Natalia Nagorska
Natalia became part of the WeConnect Energy team in 2023, stepping into the role of Digital Marketing Associate at our Edinburgh headquarters. She holds a degree in Business Management and Marketing from Edinburgh Napier University and brings four years of practical experience in the ever-changing digital marketing landscape. Natalia has taken on the responsibility of establishing, developing, and managing the digital marketing initiatives for WeConnect Energy.
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Heather McCreadie
Heather is one of our newly 2023 graduates joining us as a Consultant following the companies re-branding to WeConnect Energy. Heather holds an MA (Hons) Degree from The University of St. Andrews and is very passionate about her outdoor hobbies such as Surfing and Polo. Her academic and sporting profile have equipped her with a curious mind in her work and new interactions. She helps assist our efforts to connect talent in both the upstream and corporate sectors, and strengthen growth into new energies sector. Heather has a strong foundational understanding as to how the energy sector is of paramount importance to international relations today, and looks forward to having a positive influence by helping to ensure the industry is equipped with the best talent.
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Holly Smith
Holly is one of our new 2023 graduates who has joined us as a Consultant following the company's rebranding to WeConnect Energy. Holly studied at the University of Strathclyde and earned a BSc in Chemistry with a focus on Drug Discovery. She is assisting our Upstream team, particularly within the Drilling & Wells sector. While her degree has equipped her with a strong understanding of the industry and valuable analytical and communication skills, she looks forward to expanding her knowledge and skill set during her time here. Holly has a passion for travel, and her hobby of skiing and attending international music festivals allows her to explore this interest further.
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Greer Crawford
Greer joined the team in January 2023 in the position of Business Support Administrator. Her role in the business ranges from supporting the creation of contracts to ensuring the office is constantly stocked with supplies. Greer's keen eye for detail has led her to become the go-to for internal problem-solving and proofreading. A personal goal of hers is to always improve on who you were yesterday and implements this in her work also by constantly seeking improvements and growth in all tasks she takes part in. After graduating in 2020, Greer wound up in the world of recruitment by obtaining a role in screening and compliance in late 2021. In her free time, Greer enjoys reading, her interest in literature deepened during her degree in Interpreting and Translating, as it allowed her to further appreciate the nuances of language.
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William Bolling
Graduating with an BA (Hons) in Politics & History from the University of Strathclyde, William has extensive experience of the global recruitment sector across multiple disciplines and understands that companies and individuals operate in an international marketplace. His developed knowledge allows him to support WeConnect Energy’s activities across Exec Search and special projects.
William’s priority is always spending time with his wife and two young children, whilst not neglecting his ironclad commitments to football, golf and socialising with friends.
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