Energy Industry Career: Thomas Tobias’s Journey Across the GCC

A career in the energy industry can span different markets, technologies and major projects. For Thomas Tobias, that journey has taken him from France to Qatar and the UAE, building seven years of experience across the GCC energy sector and developing a strong understanding of its challenges and opportunities.

As Business Development Manager – Energy at Duncan & Ross, Thomas works across key accounts, client relationships and regional growth. His experience, including a large green hydrogen project in Oman, has shaped how he approaches evolving energy markets, client needs and the delivery of the right expertise.

Building an International Energy Industry Career

Originally from France, Thomas has spent almost his entire professional career abroad. His experience across Qatar and the UAE has given him direct exposure to the GCC energy sector, while helping him build an understanding of its markets, challenges and opportunities. Could you share a short professional bio about your background, experience, and current role at Duncan & Ross?

I'm originally from France, but I've spent almost my entire career abroad. I started working for a large international energy company after graduating, and over the past seven years I've had the opportunity to work in both Qatar and the UAE. This experience has given me a strong understanding of the GCC energy sector, its challenges and opportunities, as well as a good network across the region. In my current role at Duncan & Ross, I manage key accounts within the energy sector while also focusing on developing our regional footprint, building new client relationships and identifying new opportunities.

An Industry That Continues to Evolve

The scale and international nature of energy first attracted Thomas to the industry. As the sector has evolved, his interest has expanded to the energy transition and the opportunities emerging across both traditional and new energy. What inspired you to build your career in the energy industry?

What initially attracted me to the energy sector was the scale and international nature of the industry. It is a sector that has a major impact on economies and societies, while also going through significant changes. Over the years, I became particularly interested in the energy transition and the opportunities it creates across both traditional and new energy sectors. I also enjoy working in an industry that is constantly evolving, where there is always something new to learn and new challenges to understand.

Building Business Through Relationships

Thomas’s experience across the energy sector has shaped a client-focused approach to business development. For him, understanding what clients really need, being responsive and building trust are central to creating long-term relationships and delivering real value.

How has your experience shaped the way you approach your role as a Business Manager today?

My experience has taught me that business is ultimately about people and relationships. Understanding what the client really needs, being responsive and building trust are essential. I try to bring that approach to every relationship, while making sure we deliver the right expertise and add real value to our clients.

A Green Hydrogen Project in Oman

One of the most valuable experiences in Thomas’s career came through a large green hydrogen project in Oman. The project exposed him to different stakeholders, markets and technical areas, while providing first-hand insight into the complexity of delivering a major energy project at scale.

What has been one of the most valuable experiences or projects in your career, and what did it teach you?

One of the most valuable experiences in my career was working on a large green hydrogen project in Oman. It was a first-of-its-kind project in terms of its scale and nature, involving innovative technologies that were still relatively new to the industry. The project gave me the opportunity to work across different stakeholders, markets and technical areas, while gaining direct exposure to the development of a large-scale industrial project. It gave me a strong understanding of the complexity, challenges and risks involved in delivering projects of this scale. This experience has been particularly valuable in my current role, as it allows me to better understand our clients’ challenges and what is at stake in delivering major energy projects.

Building Long-Term Relationships at Duncan & Ross

At Duncan & Ross, Thomas’s role brings together business development, client relationships and engineering expertise. What he values most is the opportunity to stay close to both clients and engineers, understand their challenges and build relationships that extend beyond individual projects.

What do you enjoy most about your role at Duncan & Ross, and what makes the company different for you?

What I enjoy most is the people and the relationships we build with both our clients and our engineers. Duncan & Ross gives us the opportunity to be close to our clients and genuinely understand their challenges. I am proud to be part of a company that has grown significantly while keeping a strong focus on people and long-term relationships.

Understanding What Clients Really Need

Supporting energy projects requires more than identifying the right technical background. Thomas believes understanding the wider project environment, location and client expectations is equally important when delivering the right engineering expertise.

From your perspective, what is most important when supporting clients and delivering the right engineering expertise?

I think the most important thing is to properly understand the client's needs before proposing a solution. It is not just about finding someone with the right technical background, but also understanding the project, the working environment, the location and the client's expectations. Being responsive and transparent throughout the process is also important, as it helps build trust and ensures we can provide the right support when it is needed.

Staying Curious in a Changing Energy Sector

As the energy sector continues to change, Thomas sees curiosity, adaptability and strong relationships as essential for professionals looking to build and grow their careers in the industry.

What advice would you give to someone looking to build a career in the energy industry?

Stay curious and keep learning. The energy sector is changing rapidly, so being adaptable is extremely important. Build strong relationships, learn from experienced people and always focus on delivering value. There are a lot of opportunities in the sector for people who are willing to develop and embrace change.

Thomas’s journey across the GCC reflects a career shaped by evolving energy markets, major projects and long-term relationships. From his experience on a large green hydrogen project in Oman to developing client relationships at Duncan & Ross, each stage has strengthened his understanding of what it takes to support complex energy projects and deliver meaningful value.

As the energy sector continues to evolve, Thomas remains focused on the principles that have shaped his career so far: staying curious, understanding client needs and building relationships that last.

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