A new East of England Offshore Wind Cluster Forum that brings together developers, local authorities, the supply chain and education providers has announced the appointment of its Chair and Vice-Chair.
The forum was launched in September to give one unified powerful voice to the region, forming to address challenges, encourage inward investment, promote the region’s supply chain capabilities and promote the region’s role in offshore wind, not only locally, but nationally and globally.
Over 100 votes were cast in a process open to all attendees of the first cluster forum meeting earlier in the year. With representatives from companies and organizations such as Vattenfall, ScottishPower Renewables, Equinor, Petrofac, Ørsted, Acteon, Proeon, Peel Ports, Norfolk County Council, Suffolk County Council, New Anglia LEP, East Coast College and UEA, the Chair and Vice-Chair have the support of many industry leaders and forward-thinking education providers.
Andrew Harston, a Director at Associated British Ports, who’s £25 million Lowestoft Eastern Energy Facility (LEEF) has just been granted development consent, has been elected as the Forum’s Chair.
Andrew, a champion of offshore wind in the east, said: “I am a passionate supporter and believer in the positive future for clean renewable energy globally, but especially close to home in the East of England.
I’m delighted to take on the role of Chair of the East of England Offshore Wind Cluster Forum and intend to use my position to ensure we promote all aspects of what we collectively do in offshore wind in the region, and why the East of England is the place to do it!”
Image: Denise Hone, Vice-Chair, East of England Offshore Wind Cluster Forum and Head of Training at Hexis Training. Image Credit: Denise Hone
Denise Hone, Head of Training and Development at Hexis Training, an offshore training specialist, has been elected to the position of Vice-Chair. Denise is passionate about skills, investing in future talent and getting industry to engage with students and young people to ensure the future wellbeing of the industry.
She said: “I’m thrilled to have been selected as Vice-Chair for the new Cluster Forum. I’m looking forward to working together with the forum members to drive the agenda for the regional offshore sector forward and hope my position will inspire other women in industry to speak up and get involved.”
The Chair and Vice-Chair will lead the forum in creating a long-term strategy and plan to attract further investment and opportunity to the region.
Martin Dronfield, Executive Chair at the East of England Energy Group and Commercial Director at clean energy consultant Opergy, said: “These new positions will drive the forum in its purpose to maximize on our regional skills and ability. Clean energy and offshore wind has the potential to generate mammoth capacity in our region so we must work together to secure its future.”
The next meeting of the East of England Cluster Forum will take place in the new year and welcomes new members, especially anyone with energy, ideas and commitment to the East Anglia region, the offshore wind sector and its future.
For more information on the Cluster Forum click here.
