15 Years of Accord – Meet the Team Series: Zakiah Zakaria

As we celebrate Accord’s 15th anniversary, we’re taking time to recognise the people who have helped shape our journey. Launching our Meet the Team series, we’re spotlighting Senior Consultant Zakiah Zakaria, based in our Australia office

Zakiah joined Accord in 2021 after building her career in metering and allocation roles across the oil and gas sector. With a strong technical background and a clear ambition to specialise, she saw in Accord the opportunity to deepen her expertise and take on new responsibilities.

In this Q&A, Zakiah reflects on how her role has evolved, the experience of being part of a global and employee-owned business, and what makes Accord’s culture so unique.

Q: Can you tell us a bit about your background and how you came to join Accord?

I graduated in 2005 and began my career with a national oil and gas company, where I held various roles within the metering and allocation engineering discipline. This was followed by a tenure at a major operating company, continuing my work in the same field.

Over time, I came to realise that I wanted to specialise in metering and allocation. In 2020, I had the opportunity to meet Accord’s founder, Phil Stockton, during a business interaction in Perth. That encounter ultimately led me to join Accord—a decision I remain genuinely pleased with.

Q: What was your first role here, and how has your role evolved since?

Since joining Accord, my role has evolved significantly. In my previous position with an operating company, my experience was primarily as a business user or owner of an allocation system. I had never been directly involved in system development.

My first assignment at Accord involved comprehensive testing and supporting the stabilization of a complex allocation system that had been implemented externally. Following that, I became part of the Accord system delivery team, contributing to the development of allocation systems for clients in both the UK and Australia. Exposure to various implementation approaches across different companies has deepened my appreciation for Accord’s methodology and way of working.

Through these opportunities, I’ve been able to work with highly experienced colleagues at Accord, and I’m really enjoying the on-the-job mentoring I’m getting!

Q: How has Accord supported your professional growth?

Before joining Accord, I had always envisioned myself in a technical role. Since coming on board, I’ve had the opportunity to deepen my expertise and broaden my technical capabilities.

Working on system delivery has been a steep learning curve, but it has also allowed me to become more specialised and focused—aligning closely with my long-term career aspirations.

Q: What advice would you give to someone just starting their career?

If I could offer advice to my younger self, it would be to embrace an open mindset. As the industry continues to evolve, traditional growth milestones have become increasingly fluid and less clearly defined. Often, the fewer constraints you place on your path, the more opportunities you uncover.

You may not follow a conventional path toward becoming the successful professional you once envisioned, but each opportunity along the way offers valuable lessons and growth, helping you carve out a unique niche in your field and personal journey.

Q: What makes Accord’s culture unique?

One of the things I truly value at Accord is the ability to collectively determine what matters most and work toward it as a team. Without external shareholders setting priorities or targets, we enjoy a level of autonomy that makes a meaningful difference. As an employee-owned company, we benefit from clear visibility into the company’s vision and financial performance. That transparency empowers each of us to directly influence the direction of the business.

Q: What does it mean to you to be part of Accord’s 15-year journey?

I’ve been with Accord for four years and feel fortunate to have joined at a time when the company’s reputation was already strong and well established. It’s been a rewarding experience, and I’m genuinely grateful to be part of an organisation on such a positive trajectory.

I look forward to seeing this steady growth continue for many years to come, and I’m proud to play a direct role in that journey.

Q: How would you describe the team dynamic or working environment?

Across the projects I’ve been involved in, a consistent theme has been mutual respect and trust. Open and direct communication is encouraged, and importantly, it’s safe to do so—something that truly makes a difference.

While I may not yet have extensive experience in system delivery, I feel well supported. I’m not afraid to make mistakes and view them as part of the learning process. This creates an environment where everyone is empowered to grow at their own pace.

Q: How does being Employee-Owned influence the way people work together at Accord?

In many ways, being employee-owned gives you more stability, knowing you're less exposed to the frequent restructuring that this industry tends to go through. The fact that big decisions are not without thorough consultations from the employees means we are having direct influence on the decisions and direction of the company. That’s what makes Accord different from other companies I’ve worked for.

I can see that everyone is trying their best, because at the end of the day we all have a stake in it. We’re each given flexibility, but there’s also a shared commitment to delivering. That’s not something I take for granted.

Q: How does being part of a global team shape your experience?

While remote work facilitates this arrangement, it can occasionally be difficult to find a truly effective replacement for the spontaneous, relationship-building conversations that often happen around the coffee machine.

However, being so far from most of the crew offers an added opportunity. My involvement in business development activities in this region is largely driven by our relatively limited presence here- an area that likely wouldn’t be a priority for me if I were based in Aberdeen.

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Keep an eye out over the coming weeks as we continue to share more stories and reflections from across the team, counting down to our official anniversary celebration.

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