A former chair of the Energy Institute (EI) Aberdeen, Highlands and Islands branch has been honoured at the organisation’s flagship event. 

During the annual branch dinner at Aberdeen’s Marcliffe Hotel & Spa on Thursday, April 27th Denis Pinto MEI was named at the latest recipient of the Award of Council, presented for meritorious service to the EI.

Now a consultant and with 22 years’ experience at bp plc Denis was chair of the local EI from 2003 until 2011. He has extensive commercial and engineering skills in flow measurement and hydrocarbon allocation, and he is often considered as a knowledge leader in these topics.

In a voluntary capacity, he was involved in creating the first branch of the EI Young Professionals Network (EI YPN) in April 2011 and serves on the Advisory Board of the Association of Black and Minority Ethnic Engineers (AFBE-UK), having been actively involved with setting up their Scottish branch in 2012. He is also a board member of the Diversity & Inclusion, AXIS Network Aberdeen; an Area Leader for the Federation of Small Businesses in North East Scotland and has been instrumental in the Scottish Universities’ “Best O&G MSc Project” competition. Denis also has a firm commitment to helping the next generation, acting as a mentor to many students and young professionals.

The presentation formed part of this year’s much-anticipated annual dinner which has a long-established reputation for attracting a large audience of industry representatives to hear from high-profile presenters from energy and associated industries. This year, they included Louise Kingham CBE (Senior Vice President, Europe & Head of Country, UK, bp plc and former CEO of the Energy Institute) and the Rt Hon Prof Charles Hendry CBE HonFEI, Vice President of the Energy Institute, and previous Minister of State for Energy from 2010-12. Also addressing delegates on the night were Nick Wayth CEng FEI FIMechE (Chief Executive of the Energy Institute) and Rebecca Allison (Chair EI AHI Branch and Net Zero Technology Centre). 

Commenting on the award, Denis Pinto said: 
‘I am truly honoured and privileged to have received an Award of Council at the branch annual dinner. 

“I have been volunteering for the Energy Institute locally for many years now because I feel very strongly that those working in the industry should give something back to help develop the next generation.  

“I am very pleased that my efforts have been recognised in this way and I hope others will be encouraged and inspired to do their bit to represent the sector, particularly when it comes to helping those setting out on their careers.”

KeyFacts Energy Industry Directory: Energy Institute (EI)