The Scott Sutherland School of Architecture and Built Environment at Robert Gordon University (RGU) has appointed Norman McLennan as a Visiting Professor in recognition of his significant contribution to the Aberdeen university.

Norman is a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and Chair of the RICS (Scotland) Professional Energy Group Forum and has for many years been an RICS APC Chairman and Assessor for developing UK & Overseas candidates.

His professional industry experience spans over 30 years split between the oil and gas, energy, engineering and traditional construction sectors working in the UK, Europe and internationally with extensive supply chain management and commercial project management experience. He has a proven track record of success on a wide variety of traditional and non-traditional styles of contracting in different industry sectors.

Norman has held a variety of senior industry positions across the energy sector, more recently as the Vice President of Commercial Supply Chain for Sasol Exploration and Petroleum International which develops and manages the Sasol Group’s upstream interests in oil and gas exploration and production in Mozambique, South Africa, Canada, Gabon, Papua New Guinea, Botswana, Australia and Nigeria.

Positions prior to that included UK / European Head of Commercial Supply Chain for BG Group International Ltd, Commercial M&A Senior Manager for Chevron Texaco and an executive role within the Oil & Gas UK Supply Chain Directorate which involved stewardship of many important commercial and supply chain pan-industry initiatives for the upstream oil and gas sector.

Professor David McClean, head of RGU’s Scott Sutherland School, said: “Norman’s contribution as a hugely experienced and respected industry practitioner supporting the university has been invaluable in terms of lecturing and advising on development of relevant new competency-led courses to support industry and create exciting new career opportunities for our students.”

Sarah Speirs, RICS director for Scotland, welcomed the appointment, saying: “The university conferring this award on Norman is a testament to his long standing support of training and development of future professionals across the energy sector and is well deserved.”

Norman’s appointment commenced on January 1, 2016 and will continue to run in conjunction with his ongoing industry commitments.