Lynda Armstrong OBE FEI

Lynda Armstrong has worked for Shell for more than 35 years in a variety of assignments around the world. These have included technical management positions in Hydrocarbon Exploration, Petroleum Engineering and Production.

Lynda's most recent position is Technical Vice President with Shell International, based in the Netherlands. She leads Shell's Exploration and Production Global Petroleum Engineering field development planning and study organization, which has centers in the Netherlands, Houston, Aberdeen, India and Qatar. Previous assignments for Lynda have included New Business Development Director in Shell UK and Exploration Director in Petroleum Development Oman.

In 2003, Lynda was awarded an Order of the British Empire (OBE) by the British Government, for services to the Oil and Gas industry. She is a Fellow of the Energy Institute, a trustee of EngineeringUK, a member of the Industry Board for the UK Resource Centre for Women in Science, Engineering and Technology and on the Editorial panel of the International Journal of Gender, Science and Technology.

Expat Women: You started your career in the technical side of the business. How easy or difficult was it to migrate to the managerial side?

Lynda: I have always had an interest in understanding how technical work contributes to the business objectives. The actual transition from technical to managerial positions happened quite slowly. First, I started managing technical staff closely-related to my professional background. Then I moved into more general technical management.

Also as part of my career progression, I was given broadening assignments in HR, specifically in recruitment and in personnel planning, and these gave me a different perspective on business challenges.

Each of these positions meant that I gained experience which helped me manage and lead larger organisations with a broader spectrum of work. So in that sense, it did not feel that there was a sudden transition from technical to managerial responsibilities.

Lynda: When I first started in the '70's, it was a male-dominated profession: for example, women were not accepted on offshore facilities, hence it was difficult for me to gain the same breadth of operational experience as the men. I used any opportunities I could to get relevant experience with onshore facilities, and later in my career filled in the gaps when it was possible for women to work in most offshore facilities.

Similarly, it was difficult to get international experience with a husband who had his own career, and a daughter in tow. Finding international opportunities closer to home and managing to get more varied international experience with short assignments have helped. For example, I became the technology manager for South America which involved frequent visits while being able to maintain a base in Europe that suited the family.

Expat Women: An OBE is a very impressive achievement. What key roles or positions do you believe helped you 'get noticed' for the OBE nod?

Lynda: While I was New Business Development Director in the UK, I worked very closely with the government departments that regulate the oil and gas industry. Not only did I have frequent meetings to keep the government informed on Shell exploration activities, I also participated in cross-company committees that helped the government change its licensing rules so that the North Sea would continue to be attractive for future investment.

Expat Women: Lynda, what are your top five tips for professional women working abroad?