I had the good fortune to meet with Mike Loggie recently, to find out about the high level of community work he spearheads in his role as Chief Executive of Saltire Energy Group.
It’s heartening to meet with an Aberdeen businessman who is so focused on ensuring his company does its utmost for the local communities in which it operates, but who is also so intent on encouraging other businesses to do their bit for young disadvantaged people.
We met at Aberdeen’s Mariner Hotel on Great Western Road – a fine establishment which the philanthropist has owned since 1996.
‘I was born in Aberdeen and began my career in the city in the 1970s through the tourism industry before gradually moving into the oil and gas industry,’ Mike began.
His company, a leading supplier of drilling tools to the offshore oil and gas industry, began in 1986 and is dedicated to supporting local community initiatives. It has invested considerably in projects, both locally but also internationally, through the company’s Saltire in the Community programme.
‘We strongly believe in providing potentially life-changing opportunities for disadvantaged young people in the community. As the company has grown, so too has the range of work being carried out to benefit thousands of young people. Our focus is all about giving the young people opportunities to allow them to take control of their future choices.’
Currently, Saltire Energy is involved in a variety of initiatives including a substantial donation to the Aquatics Centre, and ensuring thousands of local primary pupils from disadvantaged areas benefit from the Saltire Energy Sports for Schools Project.
His company launched the project in 2009 to encourage youngsters to stay active, and enable them to engage in activities which they might not normally have experienced.
Just last year an exceptionally generous donation of £1million was made to local children’s charity, Befriend a Child. Mike was determined to make sure the young people on the charity’s waiting list received the
much-needed support and friendship provided by Befriend a Child. Mike was made honorary patron of the charity in recognition of his long-standing affiliation and ongoing support.
‘Seeing the young people benefit is what keeps my company doing whatever we can to help. Businesses within the oil and gas industry are in a prime position to be doing what they can to better the futures of our next generation.’