Robert Caesar, Group HSSE Manager, Tucker Energy Services Holding Limited.
Photo Credit: Luvo Cinematography
“I think what makes my professional story unique, and hopefully an inspiration, is that I was able to successfully pivot and thrive within the oil and gas sector, from starting out as a journeyman to eventually become a senior HSSE professional, through what may be considered as unconventional routes.”
As a young boy, Robert would join his father (an Estate Manager at Caroni (1975) Limited) and watch the process of hauling and loading bundles of sugarcane. Looking back, he realizes that none of the cranes would likely meet current safety standards, but he believes that this process of observation gave him a keen eye and sixth sense regarding workplace safety. And although his story didn’t begin in safety, his journey has led him to be a passionate advocate for a culture of safety, and not just in industry alone.
Robert’s involvement in oil and gas sectors began after successfully completing a Journeyman Diploma, earned through an international collaboration between the MIC Institute of Technology, the German Chamber of Crafts and Trades, Fitz Werner GmbH, and ICON-INSTITUT of Aachen, Germany. Robert’s early professional journey took him through key industrial sites across Trinidad and Tobago including the Point Lisas Industrial Estate, Pointe-a-Pierre, Galeota, Chaguaramas, Point Fortin, Santa Flora as well as various offshore facilities. He expanded his technical and hands-on experience in welding & fabrication, maintenance and operations, and the ability to adapt in high stakes industrial settings. This tremendous exposure to diverse working environments and complex projects served as a catalyst for his move to specialize in the HSSE field. Robert’s segue to safety stemmed from having multiple experiences in the industry where safety procedures existed but enforcement had not yet become a culture within organizations.
A definite highlight of his career was the key HSSE role which he played in the construction of the first offshore platform built in Trinidad and Tobago (in 2003), BHP Billiton’s K1 Platform.
Today Robert is the Group Health, Safety and Environment Manager at Tucker Energy Services Holding Limited, a position which gives him oversight of all HSSE functions across the Tucker Group in T&T and Regionally
Robert espouses a belief in continuous learning which led him to invest in managerial and leadership development- Quality Certification from the ASQ Certification Board and more recently, certification in Operations Management from the Technical Institute for Learning.
Alongside his personal achievement and effort, Robert is grateful for the expertise, guidance and combined experience of industry experts and local pioneers, whose invaluable input he has relied upon at different stages throughout his career: their accomplishments quite accurately place them among the who’s who in the local business and energy sector - Michael Mahabir (Chairman – Damus Limited), Trevor Lynch (Chairman – Hydro Tech Limited), Roger Packer (Director – Tucker Energy Services Limited) and Christopher Tucker (Executive Chairman – Tucker Energy Services Holdings Limited). His respect and admiration for each of them is evident and confirmed as he relates, “Each of these men played a unique role in my development, and I carry their lessons with me every day. Being part of Tucker’s family values which are anchored in leadership, honesty, integrity, respect, traditions, commitment, trust, communication, perseverance, knowledge and love have profoundly shaped my journey. These principles have not only guided my personal growth but also fueled my professional success.”
Robert’s profound respect for the sector that has nurtured his professional life is quite clear: “Trinidad and Tobago’s energy sector is a fascinating space with global significance. As a powerhouse in the Caribbean, being part of T&T’s energy conversation means empowering local innovation by engaging with natural gas dominance, petrochemical innovation and the fast-growing interest in renewables and carbon capture technologies, all with a drive to achieve and maintain a stronger safety culture.”
Drawing on his 33 years of knowledge and experience, he asserted that “There’s immense opportunity for young persons entering the industry, especially those who are adaptable and forward-thinking. Build a diverse skill set, learn beyond engineering, think beyond the rig, network relentlessly, pursue certifications & training and be entrepreneurial.”
Robert currently serves on the Energy Chamber’s Sustainability of the Energy Services Taskforce and admits that he is “a passionate advocate for workplace safety, I am deeply committed to fostering a strong safety culture. I strive to ensure that safety is not just a priority, but a core value embedded in our company’s ethos.” His commitment to safety extends beyond the sector as he is a also a volunteer with Arrive Alive, coaching and lecturing on the importance of road safety.
Of course, he appreciates the importance of a work-life balance. Robert is a devoted family man, and an active sportsman, playing competitive lawn tennis and football at the Masters Level.