Meet the Team: Maxime Vougny-Metral, HSE Manager
Meet the Team: Maxime Vougny-Metral, HSE Manager
We’re thrilled to introduce Maxime Vougny-Metral, who joined Buchan Offshore Wind in February 2023 as our Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) Manager. With a rich background in HSE engineering and a passion for sustainable practices, Maxime is a vital part of our growing team.
Background and Experience
Originally from La Ciotat, near Marseille, Maxime has a diverse educational and professional journey. An engineer in Health, Safety, and Environment, he studied in France and embraced opportunities to travel during his studies, experiencing life in the Netherlands, Argentina, and China.
Maxime began his career in Africa, spending five years as an HSE Engineer on a subsea oil and gas project. After returning to France to focus on family, he took a year off to care for his first child and earn a forestry management diploma. He then joined Bureau Veritas as an HSE Advisor, focusing on onshore turbine construction before moving to BW IDEOL as HSE Manager. His responsibilities included managing the company’s Quality and Environment Management System and developing HSE processes for the FLOATGEN demonstrator.
When the opportunity arose to join Buchan Offshore Wind as a secondee, Maxime and his family were excited to relocate to Glasgow and embark on this new adventure.
Why Buchan Offshore Wind?
Maxime was inspired to join Buchan Offshore Wind not just for the chance to be part of a pioneering floating offshore wind project, but also to explore new experiences with his family. “After three years in La Ciotat, we were ready for a change,” he shares.
“Joining Buchan at such an early stage of the project allowed me to contribute my expertise and energy to something truly innovative.”
A Day in the Life
Maxime’s typical day can vary greatly depending on the project's phase. He balances overseeing HSE aspects of operational activities—such as Flidar maintenance, vessel inspections, and survey work—with supporting the organisation’s growth through training and process development. His insights from previous roles enrich the engineering team as they navigate challenges and conduct the best practices.
What Maxime Loves About the Team
One of Maxime’s favourite aspects of working at Buchan Offshore Wind is the opportunity to build from the ground up. “It’s not always comfortable, but it makes the job so interesting. I thrive in an environment where I can innovate and draw on experiences from other industries.”
Outside the Office
Outside of work, Maxime enjoys exploring the stunning landscapes of Scotland with his family. “Living as an expat is a wonderful experience,” he says. “We love cycling and discovering new cities and the rich culture of Scotland.”
Memorable Moments
A particularly memorable moment for Maxime occurred during a vessel inspection, where he faced the challenge of understanding the crew's accents.
“It was tough trying to decipher what they were saying, but I appreciate the challenge—it’s moments like these that make the experience memorable!”
Words of Wisdom
Maxime’s advice for those starting in a similar role is simple yet profound:
“Remain humble and open-minded.”