I Didn’t Get Where I Am Today…

Who?
Dave Watson

What?
Managing Director of Latent, Aberdeen

What do you actually do?
I front an oil and gas asset management company; this can mean doing anything and everything. We provide asset performance and integrity management services to the oil and gas industry.

First senior job?
That would have been in 1978 when I was employed as a senior machinist specialist with Aramco in Saudi Arabia.

Do you work for love or money?
Mainly love.

Was your first job for pocket money pennies or was it the first rung on the ladder?
A bit of both. It was an apprenticeship with Shell UK and was the first rung on the ladder, but it was that best paid apprenticeship in the area of Manchester – double the rate that anyone else was offering.

Seamless progression or did fate lend a hand?
Fate took a hand when I left Shell and joined Aramco and went to work in the sands of the desert. I went for a tax-free salary to pay off my mortgage and gain equipment maintenance experience. This subsequently rekindled my Shell career as I later rejoined Shell in an international arena.

What has been the single most important stage of your career?
Taking the decision to leave Shell and set up my own business.

Which stage has been most challenging and why?
At one point I took a voluntary redundancy package. This was a mixed decision as I was at a stage where I thought that I couldn’t offer anymore to the oil and gas industry, but I knew that my decision would result in the loss of corporate memory. One of the reasons I’m glad to have started my own business is that I can ensure that this knowledge is passed on.

Essential element that has got you where you are today?
Good looking? No, seriously, knowing where my expertise finishes and being humble enough to ask for help.

Any regrets?
Not going to university, although in the end, It doesn’t seem to have had too much of an adverse effect on my career.

What do you like least about your job?
Trying to market and sell something that seems obvious without re-inventing the wheel.

What would you change about your job?
Not much; it’s a great job. Theres a definite buzz about getting a client to understand what you are offering to such an extent that they sign a purchase order to buy your services. Every time you start to work with a new client it’s like starting a new journey; it’s a great feeling.

Minimum 12-hour day or out the door by five?
Definitely out the door by five. If you have to work additional hours you are either incompetent or there is too much work, which creates excessive stress. I’m a great believer in having a healthy work-life balance.

Early bird or night owl?
Early bird.

Full lunch hour or sandwich at the desk?
Once a week, usually a Sunday I have a full lunch. The rest of the time, when I’m at work, I generally grab a sandwich and a Kit Kat at the desk.

Confrontation or anything for a quiet life?
Confrontational, but I would love a quiet life.

Ever stepped on anyone’s toes along the way?
Not really.

Technogeek or technophobe?
Technophobe

Best under pressure or well chilled?
A mixture really, but I guess like most people, I work best under pressure.

Creative or logical?
Logical. Then again, I did name the company, and that has proved to be unique. The services that we provide to our client release the hidden potential in their assets; hence the name Latent, which is a creative and logical way to describe how we unlock a clients development capability.

Numbers or pictures?
Pictures

Team player or lone wolf?
Team player

Desk/office essentials?
A telephone and Vikki, my girl Friday.

Crystal-ball gaze five years from now?
I’d like to see the young people who work for Latent mature, take over the business and keep the success moving forwards.

You’ve won the lottery; what do you do?
Ensure that the crystal-ball gaze happens.

Your dream job?
Like many other it would be to put on the red shirt and play football for Man Utd.

Perfect recipe for winding down?
Playing golf on a sunny day.

Your best-kept secret?
My nickname at school was Winker Watson out of the Beano comic.

Your favourite maxim?
Treat others as you want to be treated.

back to Media - Press Releases