Russ Oxley left school over 30 years ago and started his career as an apprentice engineer in the gas distribution industry. Today, Russ is working as a Senior Project Manager on our Bradford Low Carbon Hydrogen scheme. The project involves building a trailblazing low carbon hydrogen production and refuelling facility in Bradford, which will be amongst the first of its kind in the UK.

His current responsibilities include ensuring the hydrogen production, storage and off take facilities are delivered compliantly in line with the project schedule and budget. This includes procuring and delivering key work packages including the design, equipment procurement, obtaining regulatory consents, construction and internal project team management.

Talking about the route that Russ took to his current role he says

“After my apprenticeship as an engineer in the gas distribution industry, I progressed to managing internal engineering teams and external contractors responsible for repairing and replacing gas pipes. My last operational role within the gas networks was as an Area Manager, ensuring delivery of the annual work programmes and managing multiple contracting organisations.

I then started working on a research programme for hydrogen in 2016, where I managed the delivery of projects, including the planning, design, and delivery of several world first hydrogen test research sites within the UK. The underlying objective for these projects was to provide the UK government and regulatory bodies with evidence to support a government decision on the role hydrogen could play as a decarbonisation solution to heat the UK’s buildings.

It’s exciting to be at the forefront of the energy transition as the UK looks to achieve its decarbonisation obligations. Having direct involvement in shaping the engineering solutions for the future and being able to embrace evolving technological solutions is massively rewarding.  

The opportunities for personal growth and development, which can lead from an apprenticeship are amazing provided you have the determination, drive and passion to make a real difference in an evolving landscape. The job I do now wouldn’t have existed when I started out so I could never have expected my career to take the path it has. I’m a big fan of apprenticeships and am currently exploring opportunities for my own son to start one when he finishes school”