March 27, 2026 • 2 min read
Opening the forest: Febry’s journey from proposals to partnerships
Every conversation can lead to an opportunity if you listen carefully.
As our Business Development Manager in Indonesia, Febry Qobil Akhmad, known to colleagues as Qobil, is at his best when connecting with people. “I really love meeting new customers and potential partners,” he says. “Every conversation is different; you’re learning about new opportunities, new personalities and new ways of thinking. It’s never boring.”
Febry's role takes him from boardrooms to coffee shops, maintaining trust with existing customers and forging new relationships across various sectors, including upstream oil and gas, downstream chemicals and mining. He likens it to ‘opening the forest,’ uncovering opportunities that might otherwise stay hidden.
“Those conversations help us better understand how we can support customers, which gives us a greater opportunity to win the work,” he says.
Shaping a career through constant development
Febry has been with us since 2018, when he joined as a Proposal Coordinator during a downturn in the oil and gas markets. “It was a tough year,” he says. “Projects were being delayed or canceled, but we worked hard, won small projects and built momentum.”
He was promoted to Inside Sales Manager, leading our proposals for several major projects, including a large onshore facility for bp. In 2025, he stepped into the Business Development Manager role. “I’ve learned so much along the way,” he says.
Febry’s growth has been supported by leaders like his long‑time manager, who has worked with him through various successes and challenges. “My leaders push me a lot, but fairly. They want me to grow. They make sure I’m fully utilized, but they also respect my family time,” he says.
Facilitating knowledge through a global network
Febry covers all markets except power transmission, exploring any new projects that may be viable. He’s the first to admit he’s a generalist, but that’s a vital strength within his role. “I’m not the specialist, but I know how to connect customers with our specialists around the world,” he says.
As he sees it, that network of experts is one of our most significant advantages. “If a customer asks about carbon capture, I can call a colleague in the US. If it’s subsea, I know who to talk to in Australia. We have approximately 44,000 people around the globe, and we can tap into that expertise,” Febry says. “Customers really value that reach.”
Family, football and a sustainable future
Febry’s work has also shaped his view of the energy transition. “For me, it’s about the future – not just for myself, but for my children and even my grandchildren.”
Family is a constant in Febry’s life. He and his wife are raising three children, and he prioritizes being home each night. “I don’t want to work on a roster at a site because I want to be with them,” he says. Weekends are spent at football tournaments, cheering on his son’s team or supporting his daughters in their pursuits.
This balance is one of the reasons he’s stayed with us for all these years. “The company wants me to grow and supports me to do that,” he says. “It’s a really good experience. I hope this will be my last company because I’m happy here.”
