After graduating in Geology from Birmingham University Malcolm joined Seismograph Services Ltd. (SSL) in 1965 and worked for a few years on seismic crews in the Niger Delta swamps whilst all around the country was in the grips of a civil war, and later, on Vibroseis crews in the desert of Oman. Returning to the UK he joined Amoco in 1969. Amoco had just discovered the Montrose Field, one of the earliest North Sea oil discoveries. In 1973 Malcolm joined Ranger Oil, working on Ninian, Pierce and Columba fields, he was at the forefront of the North Sea’s exploration.

Malcolm was headhunted in 1981, by one of the pioneering North Sea independent oil companies, Hamilton Oil, to be its Exploration Manager (later Vice-President Exploration). Hamilton Oil had discovered the Bruce Field, and found and developed the Argyll Field, with its pioneering world’s first FPSO in 1975. The period of the 1980s were by his own admission the peak of Malcolm’s career with oil and gas discoveries including; Ravenspurn North, Duncan, Hamilton, Hamilton North, Douglas, Keith and Lennox.  Working for Malcolm was challenging, exciting and rewarding, and everyone who worked in Hamilton was extremely proud of the kudos of being part of Malcom’s Exploration team. Malcolm was an inspirational leader.

In the 1990s Hamilton Oil was bought by another company and the culture changed. Malcolm was told to attend a meeting of managers in Australia. On the first morning of the meeting everyone in the room had to say in turn how they felt about being in the meeting…..

 Meeting organiser…”How do you feel about being in this meeting Malcolm?”
 Malcolm ……………..…”This is the second worst day of my life”
 Meeting organiser …"Oh dear when was the worst” 
 Malcolm ………………...”Yesterday….. when I arrived here”

Malcolm did not suffer fools, but more important he had the courage to stand up for his principles and say what he really felt. Most others would not. Unfortunately, this did not go down well with management and a few months later Malcolm left the company …. the office was never the same.

Malcolm returned to Ranger Oil as Director of Exploration in 1996 and continued his successful career. Later in 1996 the Petroleum Group of the Geological Society awarded Malcolm its prestigious Petroleum Group Medal. Other awards include WoodMac Exploration Company of the Year 1989 and 1990. In 1993 Malcolm was Chairman and an Honorary Member of the Petroleum Exploration Society of Great Britain (later GESGB).

Later roles included Tullow Oil and Non-Executive Directorships at Sterling Energy and Aurelian, and later Chairman of G.T.O., a small pioneering independent.

In 2021 Malcolm was interviewed by the GESGB. You can hear Malcolm’s story in his own words, on the GESGB membership platform.