Since joining Apollo as a graduate mechanical engineer in 2019, Calum Westland has worked across multiple parts of the business, from structural engineering in oil and gas to leading complex studies in the energy transition.
Now Head of Industrial Decarbonisation within our Sustainable Infrastructure team, he focuses on helping clients navigate the technical, commercial and regulatory challenges of moving to lower carbon energy systems.
In this interview, Calum reflects on his journey through Apollo, the projects that have shaped his career, and how industrial decarbonisation is being applied in practice today.
Can you tell us a bit about what you do at Apollo?
I joined Apollo fresh out of university in 2019 where I studied Mechanical Engineering. During my time at Apollo I have held a number of roles and worked across our different business streams. I started out as a graduate engineer working in our structural team delivering brownfield projects for the oil & gas industry as well as performing pipe stress analysis and computational fluid dynamics studies.
Following a strategic move by Apollo to grow into the energy transition space, my work pivoted away from oil & gas towards new energies. I am currently Apollo’s head of Industrial Decarbonisation.
My role involves leading a great team of consultants to deliver innovative projects at the forefront of the energy transition. Much of our work is centred on the production, transportation and utilisation of green molecules. The economics, regulatory landscape and practical challenges of the energy transition are complex, and we support our clients by providing clear, informed advice to help them identify the most effective path to achieving their objectives.
Can you share a few of the projects you've been involved in, and what your role was in each?
Three projects stand out from my time at Apollo to date.
- The first is the redevelopment of an existing oil and gas terminal into a green energy hub, producing green molecules using abundant local renewable power.
- The second is the conceptual study for the 7CO₂ carbon capture and shipping hub in Avonmouth,
- and the third is our work assessing low-carbon alternative fuels for UKCS assets as an alternative to electrification.
I played a leading role across all three, guiding the team to deliver outcomes that have subsequently progressed to the next stage.
What I found particularly rewarding was the cutting-edge nature of these projects and the meaningful impact they have the potential to deliver.
Which one stands out most to you, and why?
The redevelopment of the oil and gas terminal is the standout project for me.
The scale and potential of the masterplan we developed has the capacity to genuinely move the dial, transforming a legacy asset into a future-focused green energy hub. It exemplifies the energy transition in practice – repurposing infrastructure that has delivered significant value to the local community, while safeguarding its long-term role in a low-carbon future.
Who has been your biggest mentor or supporter at Apollo so far, and how have they helped you grow?
This is a difficult question, as I’ve worked with so many outstanding colleagues at Apollo who have taught me valuable lessons along the way.
That said, Phil Westmorland, Apollo’s Sustainable Infrastructure Director and my line manager, has had the biggest influence on my career to date. Phil brings a wealth of knowledge and embodies a strong can-do attitude, which I believe is central to Apollo’s culture.
The trust he has placed in me early in my career has been instrumental in my development, while his encouragement to push beyond my comfort zone has helped me grow professionally.
Favourite local restaurant and why?
I’m a big foodie and enjoy both traditional British cuisine and more adventurous flavours.
I’m a particular fan of curry, and Aberdeen has a fantastic scene with several standout restaurants. If I had to pick a favourite, it would be 8848, the food and service are both exceptional.