Added: 18th August 2025 by ExxonMobil
An ExxonMobil Fawley engineer has revealed how he overcame homesickness by channelling his efforts into helping grow a thriving multicultural support group.
Omar Said, from Kuwait, first moved to the UK to study for a Mechanical Engineering degree at the University of Sheffield in 2015. After discovering ExxonMobil at a careers fair, he embarked on a placement as a Maintenance Analyst, an office-based role which placed Omar at the centre of operations. The placement served as an ideal balance of practical and theoretical learning, honing Omar's natural curiosity, supported by valuable mentoring from his colleagues.
Omar's decision to accept ExxonMobil's offer of a full-time role after he finished university was solidified when he discovered that most of his colleagues had come through ExxonMobil's graduate scheme.
After starting the position of Materials Contract Coordinator at Fawley in 2020, Omar acted as a delegate for the site, liaising with the procurement department at ExxonMobil Czech Republic, and managing purchases from small bolts to large reactors.
In 2021, he transitioned to Turnaround Cost Engineer, focusing on estimating, cost control, and project closures for maintenance turnarounds, overseeing a portfolio of up to £200 million.
Two years later, Omar took on his current role as Integrated Event Cost Engineer, integrating cost management with engineering processes for large-scale events.
Omar said: “During my time at ExxonMobil, I've had various roles, each helping me gain a greater understanding of how Fawley and the wider company operates. I was always given the trust and confidence I needed to thrive. Even as an intern, I could share my opinions, which really boosted my confidence.”
However, despite his career thriving, being 3,000 miles away from home provided its own set of challenges, something Omar decided to address through ExxonMobil's employee resource group the EMBRACE network, which achieved recognition as a finalist in the Global IChemE Awards. The group supports ethnic minority colleagues and promotes diversity and inclusion within the workplace.
“One of the things I appreciated early on at ExxonMobil was the opportunity to meet people from different cultures. We would talk about traditions and what people celebrate, and this is where I first encountered EMBRACE,” explained Omar.
“Although EMBRACE existed before I joined, I helped to grow it into what it is today, expanding its on-site presence and introducing the Fawley Food Festival.”
Celebrating cultural diversity and inclusion in the workplace, the Fawley Food Festival served over 400 meals and 900 samples to more than 300 colleagues, featuring delicious cuisine from regions such as the Middle East, Nigeria, Poland, and Malaysia.
Cultural representatives hosted the stalls, fostering important—and sometimes difficult—discussions and highlighting the importance of cultural appreciation within the workplace.
Today, the EMBRACE committee is UK-wide, with ten members nationwide, five of whom are based at Fawley.
Omar continued: “Our mission goes beyond celebrating different cultures; we're also committed to supporting STEM students, women, and minority groups in overcoming barriers and entering the industry.
“For example, as an international employee, I faced challenges with the visa sponsorship process, which wasn't very clear at the time. I nearly didn't apply because of it. Now, we've clarified the process and openly communicate that ExxonMobil sponsors visas, making it easier for future applicants and fostering a more inclusive and diverse team.”
The future continues to be bright for Omar, who plans to change roles once more in 2025, this time as a Mechanical Integrity Engineer. In this position, Omar will work on equipment strategies and determine the most economical way to maintain equipment, combining his previous experience in cost management, procurement, and engineering analysis.
As for Embrace, Omar has visions of expanding into the community, taking with him ExxonMobil Fawley's core values on how to build a diverse workforce where individual and cultural differences are respected.
“Through EMBRACE, we are leading the initiative for everybody to become effective allies in promoting diversity and inclusion,” said Omar. “Being an ally helps create a more inclusive and respectful workplace for all as we strive to foster empathy, continuous learning, and accountability, while addressing microaggressions. It’s vital that we emphasise the importance of being active advocates by joining ally programmes like EMBRACE and ensuring that everyone’s voice is heard.”
