Optimizing Reliability, Risk and Compliance Through Human Factors Leadership - A Masterclass

Don Evans, a former Royal Air Force Wing Commander and fast jet aviator, has over 20 years’ experience leading a wide range of complex and demanding operations in hostile conditions within an international context. He was a qualified instructor on several aircraft types and was responsible for leadership training. Don is a Civil Aviation Authority qualified Crew Resource Management (‘Human Factors’) Trainer with extensive experience in this area across several industries with a focus on Oil & Gas.

Don is Head of Human Factors at Mission Performance, a global leadership consultancy, specialising in O&G with over 20 years’ experience. Don has led the design and implementation of the Well Operations Crew Resource Management & Human Factors programme. He has worked to introduce a series of trainings for Drillers, Engineers and Well Site leaders, delivering multiple courses across the world. Mentoring and coaching people to achieve their full potential as leaders and team members in a dynamic environment is Don's principal focus. He believes that effective leadership begins with demonstrating behaviors, standards and values to both your direct reports and entire team every day. These qualities — added to a clear purpose, consistent mentoring, and a determination to transform complexity into simplicity — form the basis for a high-performance environment.

Before joining Mission, Don held senior positions in a multinational telecoms company. He was responsible for the operational delivery of 2000 field engineers, as well as the training of several hundred apprentices. He implemented the honesty, rigour and accountability based on the ‘Just Culture’ of military aviation across his 120 strong management team, which led to a step change in safety, efficiency and employee engagement throughout his workforce. A keen sportsman, Don also represented the RAF and Great Britain at Bobsleigh before common sense combined with a few injuries led to him hanging up his ice spikes. During 9 years of competition, he competed for GB in international races as a 4-man and 2-man driver on over 30 occasions against the major Alpine nations.

Ross Preston, MC is a seasoned facilitator and coach, working in commercial, not for profit, and government sectors. He is passionate about teams and leaders, and through his experience has developed his perspectives of leadership beyond competencies to view leadership as a way of thinking and being; truly generating leadership at all levels.

For Ross, leading and being a part of teams began with a love of sport and his formative years in the British Royal Marine Commandos. He was decorated for his courage and outstanding leadership of combat operations in Afghanistan where he sustained serious injuries. Leaving as a Lieutenant Colonel after a dynamic and exciting 18 years, he adapted and developed his skills to meet the demands of a new role as director of operations for a vibrant, fast-moving global disaster relief charity.

In more recent years Ross and his young family moved to Canada, giving him the opportunity to focus fully on leader and team development. This has seen engagements with many clients and organisations all over the world, across all sectors and levels, developing and coaching leaders and teams to increase efficiency, profitability and individual personal happiness. He also took on the role of Partner heading up Mission Performance’s North America office. Mission Performance is a global leadership consultancy, specialising in O&G with over 20 years’ experience. Ross has delivered various trainings for Mission’s O&G clients worldwide. He is a qualified CRM (HF) Instructor.

Ross views leading and being part of a team as both an honour and a responsibility. However, it should not be onerous; we all seek to excel at what we enjoy and, although a serious business, leadership need not be sombre or grave. The strength of the Royal Marines’ ethos is legendary with a philosophy closely aligned to Ross’ beliefs. The Commando Qualities of Courage, Determination, Unselfishness and Cheerfulness in the Face of Adversity have consistently proven their worth. Ross has seen them carry the day in some exceptionally demanding circumstances.