Meet Euan Slater, Business Development Manager, Mintra

“If I can leave a client feeling like they’ve genuinely been helped and understood, then I’ve done my job right.”

Euan Slater brings a dynamic mix of energy, humour and a wealth of industry experience to his role as Business Development Manager at Mintra. Born and bred in Aberdeen, his career has spanned continents and crossed sectors, from recruitment to oil and gas, project management and business development, before joining Mintra in May 2022 and diving into the world of software, digital learning and HR solutions.

Early Lessons and a Global Outlook

As part of a placement year during his Honours degree in Business Studies from Robert Gordon University, Euan spent a year in New York working for an Irish tour operator. His time there coincided with the 9/11 attacks, a sobering and perspective-shifting experience that left a lasting impression. “It was a hard moment, but it taught me the importance of resilience and that travelling provides unique experiences to learn from, whether good or bad.” Inspired by this, he travelled across Australia, returning to Aberdeen with an open mind and a hunger to explore new opportunities.

From Recruitment to Oil & Gas

Back in Aberdeen, he cut his teeth in recruitment before relocating to Newcastle for a fun, fast-paced year in the same field. However, hungry for a new challenge, Euan wanted to do more with his business academics, and the booming oil and gas sector back home was too good an opportunity to miss.

He returned and landed an in-house recruitment role with GE Oil & Gas, quickly shifting into project delivery, where he managed major clients’ wellheads and tubulars through manufacturing and service centres.

This was the start of his journey towards Project Management, and he went on to a new role with Siemens Industrial Gas Turbines. Taking on greater responsibility, managing not just materials but teams of field technicians, mobilising for planned and corrective maintenance. Euan developed a strong track record in project management and client engagement, working with major clients like Shell. He earned his APMP qualification and became known for his ability to bring people together, solve complex problems and get the job done.

Finding His Place at Mintra

When the pandemic hit, like many others, Euan re-evaluated his path. That journey led him to Mintra. Joining the team was a bold shift into software and digital services, but one that felt right.

“It was a fresh challenge. I was new to the software industry, but I felt like everything I’d done up to that point had prepared me for it. Most importantly, I like what Mintra sell, and believing in what you sell is critical to me.”

Joining Mintra, Euan found his stride in a role that combines his passion for people with the thrill of sales. As Business Development Manager, Euan is responsible for identifying opportunities, building and nurturing client relationships, managing key accounts, and supporting organisations as they navigate their training and competence needs.

Winning Work and Building Trust

A standout moment for Euan at Mintra was winning his first big contract in a challenging post-COVID market with a Logistics powerhouse. Since then, he’s also proudly brought on other key clients in the Energy and Offshore Oil and Gas sectors.

“One of the things I enjoy most about my job is interacting with people. I love the buzz of a new opportunity, the satisfaction of seeing new business hit the board, knowing you played a big part in something that ultimately helps keep people safe or develop them professionally.”

Euan’s project management background continues to inform his client-first approach. He believes the key to success lies in consistent, proactive communication and meaningful face-to-face engagement to maintain a solid working rhythm, not just when problems arise.

“If you’re close to your client, you can spot and solve problems before they escalate. Integration is always better than escalation,” he explains. He’s a big advocate for one-to-one workshops, getting clients, support teams and product experts in the same room to create space to surface potential issues and work through them collaboratively.

“Clients turn into Net Promoters when they feel heard and supported. You can’t divert a ship if you don’t know where it’s drifting.”

With firsthand experience of how offshore operators prioritise spend and operate under safety-critical conditions, Euan is able to help clients align training solutions with operational realities. As Mintra expands its VR and immersive training offering, his real-world relevance is more valuable than ever.

“It’s not just about ticking boxes, it’s about delivering training that’s useful, relevant and memorable for the people on the ground. I want to be part of shaping solutions that actually stick.”

Culture, Challenge and Future Goals

Euan thrives in Mintra’s collaborative and flexible working culture. “The UK and Central Europe team is brilliant. We trust each other, support each other and just get things done.”

He values the open culture, where people are approachable, managers don’t shut their doors, and work-life balance is more than just a buzzword.

Still, like any job, there are challenges. “Quarter-end pressure can take its toll, especially when you’ve done your bit and your success depends on factors outside your control. That’s sales!”

Looking ahead, Euan hopes to continue building on his wins, contributing to the team and being respected by his clients and peers, eventually growing into a leadership role. “I’ve led teams before, and I’d love to return to that once I’ve nailed a few more of my personal goals in this role.”

Outside of Work: Car Babble and More

When he’s not closing deals or supporting existing clients, Euan pours creativity into one of his hobbies: Car Babble, a growing YouTube channel where he reviews vehicles with insight, humour and a bit of real-world honesty.

“Car Babble is a creative outlet for me. I’ve always loved writing, comedy and storytelling. I watched loads of car reviews, figured out what I liked and didn’t, and put my own slant on things.”

Each video can take between 5 and 20 hours to produce, from scripting to filming and editing. He aims to publish two to three a month and has set himself the goal of reaching 10,000 subscribers. With over 4,500 loyal followers and an average of 1,000–2,000 daily views, the channel has doubled in size over the last year and continues to build momentum.

Euan also enjoys golf, basketball and a pool table hustle. He lives in Aberdeenshire with his wife, two football-mad sons and their family dog, though he admits finding time for all his hobbies isn’t quite as easy as it used to be.

Looking Ahead

Euan is excited about the next stage of his journey with Mintra. “There’s so much potential in what we’re doing. The industries we serve are changing fast, and I’m proud to be part of a team helping shape what comes next.”