Meet the team.

Richard Bell is Apollo’s Managing Director. Richard has been with the company since 2011 and is responsible for day to day running of company operations. Richard, like many of our other directors, is a Chartered Engineering and has 20 years industry experience. He has led a wide range of flow assurance projects and is an expert in transient multiphase problems and an industry lead in fluid transport modelling for a wide range of applications.

Richard is passionate about the energy transition and has led a number of Apollo’s projects in new and emerging energy solutions, including Hydrogen and CCUS.

Paul Ellerton is the Engineering Director for Oil and Gas. Like many of our other Directors, Paul comes from an engineering background, although that is not what his degree was in! A Chartered Engineer with the IMechE with wide ranging experience in the energy industry having worked for three international engineering companies. He has a keen interest and working knowledge of the application of fluid dynamics and flow assurance and has an accomplished track record in project management, design, evaluation and consultancy within many large and small-scale projects.

Paul joined Apollo in 2012, at first to grow the process optimisation and emissions department, before moving into a role directing developments services and latterly looking at the whole of our Oil and Gas offering. As part of his transition experience he has led several high profile field development projects and over the last few years has become a knowledgeable industry figure in repurposing and late life asset extension. Although Pauls role these days revolves around operations and business development, he still spends a great deal of his time in engineering.

Thomas Gourlay is our Operations Director, managing a team of 130+ engineers, designers, and project professionals. Thomas ensures our multi-discipline engineering team has the resources and tools available to meet our clients’ technical challenges and through innovation and new technologies, provides value added engineering. Thomas is also responsible for the delivery of Apollo’s projects ensuring our projects meet and exceed our clients’ expectations in terms of budget, quality, and value.

With a background in Structural Engineering and Project Management, Thomas has successfully managed several multi-million-pound projects across decommissioning, subsea developments, brownfield topsides modifications, greenfield developments, and late life extension projects. These include both Oil and Gas and Renewable energy projects.

Ryan Menzies is our Executive Director and a founder of the company back in 2010. Ryan is an experienced engineer with broad background in the global energy industry, working on projects worldwide and he has been active in the renewables sectors for the last 15 years, helping secure Apollo’s foothold in this sector. He has over 20 years of experience managing and building engineering consultancy businesses.

Ryan has an MBA from Robert Gordons Business School, a PhD in fluid dynamics, and a Masters from the Department of Aerospace engineering at the University of Glasgow. Ryan is passionate about business culture and people, and the challenges and opportunities this brings to a business in an ever-changing landscape. Ryan also has a keen interest and passion in STEM and encouraging engineering in schools.

Support Director Steve Leaper has been part of the Apollo story from its very beginnings. Responsible for keeping the Apollo show on the road, Steve manages a diverse portfolio including financial, IT, contractual and legal, QHSE, HR and administrative functions, and is excited by the challenge of fast paced and ever-changing business needs.

A Psychologist in his early career, Steve has long been an advocate for mental health in the workplace and is genuinely passionate about making Apollo an enjoyable place to work. Believing that a healthy body promotes mental wellbeing, Steve is a keen runner and cyclist, and leads Apollo’s running club.

Nigel Robinson leads Apollo’s Marine Energies work, helping clients navigate the technical and commercial realities of marine assets and operations, be that in the offshore renewables, floating production or offshore construction. His focus is on where engineering makes a difference – delivering practical design, sound delivery and insightful problem-solving.

Nigel brings decades of hands-on experience in marine operations, dynamic systems, innovative design and structural integrity. He’s worked across the UK and internationally, taking on senior engineering and leadership roles that balance strategy with delivery.

A Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Nigel is trusted by clients to provide clarity, challenge when needed, and lead projects that move the energy transition forward.

Marissa Stephen is Apollo’s Business Development Director. With a background in oil and gas and a reputation for building lasting client partnerships, she brings clarity, consistency, and energy to every engagement. Her focus is simple – help clients succeed, and the rest follows.

After a 15-year break to raise her family, Marissa returned to an industry transformed by technology and decarbonisation goals. She brings a fresh perspective, grounded in deep sector knowledge and driven by personal conviction. For Marissa, the transition to low-carbon energy isn’t just strategy – it’s something to be part of.

Clients value her openness, her commitment to delivery and her ability to stay focused on what matters most – long-term partnerships, not just one-off wins.

When she’s not working, you’ll find her outdoors – cycling, running, skiing, or horse riding.

Phil Westmorland is our Decarbonisation Director with a purpose to be a Tour de force in the transition to an efficient low-carbon society. The decarbonisation unit works to empower clients with comprehensive knowledge to make informed decisions regarding energy efficiency and the transition of their operations, processes, and assets from fossil-based fuels and chemicals to sustainable, low-carbon energy and chemical sources.

A chartered engineer and a fellow of the IChemE, he has over 20 years of experience in successfully delivering a wide variety of projects to support the energy sector. Being a process engineer Phil is an advocate for the efficient use of energy and materials and a champion for NetZero. He is active in sustainable energy and has led hydrogen, CCUS and carbon abatement projects within Apollo and has a strong track record of delivery for our clients.

Within his role, Phil also helps manage our systems, processes and procedures as well as competency assurance to ensure we are minimising costs, maximising quality, and providing value for our clients.

A Director with over 20 years of extensive management and marketing experience in the oil and gas industry. An individual with a wide range of leadership skills including a proven ability to motivate, develop and grow teams whilst articulating key messages, concepts and solutions. A proven ability to work on his own initiative whilst remaining an effective team player. Jonathan is an adaptable and resolute negotiator with a proven ability to see through problems and offer appropriate business solutions.

Jonathan has recently been appointed as our Strategy and Growth Director to build on our business in the West of England and Wales in nuclear, marine renewables, hydrogen and carbon capture and storage. As well as this Jonathan is also involved in helping companies within the Tech X scheme working with NZTC.