Our team
If you’d like to contact any member of the EMEC team, please email info@emec.org.uk or call (0)1856 852060.
EXECUTIVE TEAM |
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Neil KermodeManaging DirectorNeil was appointed as Managing Director in November 2005. He is directly accountable to the Board for all operations and is responsible for meeting the Board’s objectives for EMEC’s operational, environmental, financial and commercial performance. T: +44 (0)1856 852061 |
Matthew FinnCommercial DirectorMatthew supports the Managing Director to enable the vision for EMEC growth, providing a business development regime that establishes a firm commercial approach; liaises with developers, funders, and partners; and participates in new initiatives driving growth and revenue. T: +44 (0)1856 852064 |
Donna RitchFinance DirectorDonna is responsible for finance, HR, administration and facilities; managing forecasting, monthly accounts, invoicing and cash flow; facilitating HR processes and activities for the organisation; and managing administration processes and EMEC’s office facilities. T: +44 (0)1856 852040 |
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Jonathan LindsayOperations and Technology DirectorJonathan has responsibility for ensuring that our operations are planned and executed in a safe and professional manner to meet agreed client objectives. He also deputises for the Managing Director in his absence and provides support in all operational aspects of our work. T: +44 (0)1856 852009 |
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ADMINISTRATION & QUALITY TEAM |
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Lesley BewsQuality ManagerLesley’s role is to manage EMECs Integrated Management System and assist the organisation in maintaining compliance with ISO 17025, EMEC’s accreditation with UKAS. She works with all staff to maintain a system that promotes a culture of compliant working practices and leadership behaviours across the organisation. T: +44 (0)1856 852234 |
Corrine SinclairContracts ManagerCorrine provides support across the business by ensuring that the appropriate legal agreements are implemented to facilitate the execution of contractual obligations. Corrine develops and maintains the effective contractual processes and management to support the company’s commercial goals. T: +44 (0)1856 852003 |
Cath RussellPA to the Executive TeamCath supports the Executive Team, and in particular the Managing Director. This involves providing a high standard of confidential administrative support, and includes arranging meetings and travel. T: +44 (0)1856 852240 |
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Molly HarrisHR OfficerMolly manages all recruitment, selection and onboarding for the company as well as managing the HR system, company training plan and STEM activities, and acts as first point of call for HR queries. Molly also assists the Quality Manager with routine Quality Management tasks. T: +44 (0)1856 852047 |
Karen FlettFinance OfficerKaren provides administrative support to the finance team by assisting with the tracking of budgets, processing invoices and payments, assisting with the annual audit process and assisting with the development and maintenance of all necessary systems, policies and procedures to ensure effective, efficient financial management within the company. T: +44 (0)1856 852065 |
Pete DonaldAdministration OfficerPete provides administrative support across the organisation by providing reception cover, undergoing office health and safety checks, record keeping, liaising with suppliers, travel booking, proofreading and formatting services and general day to day admin tasks. T: +44 (0)1856 852060 |
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Ray BanksSenior IT Systems OfficerRay helps to maintain EMEC’s IT systems and software ensuring consistency across the organisation. In conjunction with the project management team, Ray also creates and maintains project information tools using appropriate software, and ensures relevant staff are adequately trained to use them. Ray manages the provision of telecommunications equipment and liaises with external IT providers to ensure services are delivered as required. T: +44 (0)1856 852046 |
Erika KempAdministration OfficerErika provides administrative support across the support team and wider organisation by assisting with reception cover, travel bookings, proof reading, procurement and HR related tasks including recruitment and the HR system. T: +44 (0)1856 852210 |
Kyle LeaskIT Systems OfficerKyle assists the Senior IT Systems Officer with the maintenance and development of EMEC’s IT systems and software ensuring consistency of use across the organisation. Kyle also supports the wider-organisation with the provision of training and guidance documentation, resolving IT issues and reviewing change requests as they arise. T:+44(0)1856 852213 |
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT & MARKETING TEAM |
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Rob FlynnCommercial ManagerRob identifies, secures and manages new commercial opportunities to support the long term growth of EMEC. Rob focuses on EMEC’s international collaborations, and building a portfolio of clients and partners from around the world. He maintains EMEC’s presence globally as a trusted partner in the energy sector. T: +44 (0)7984 078414 |
Lisa MacKenzieMarketing and Communications ManagerLisa is responsible for promoting EMEC, its facilities and services, its clients, and wider industry development. She leads the marketing team, managing EMEC’s digital media, events, marketing resources, and media liaison. Lisa also leads communications and dissemination work packages for grant funded projects, including ReFLEX Orkney and FloTEC. T: +44 (0)1856 852207 |
Eileen LinklaterExternal Relationship ManagerEileen manages relationships with key stakeholders. With a strong understanding of EMEC’s services and market knowledge, her role involves developing creative solutions for existing clients, as well as pursuing new business opportunities with the wider commercial team and implementing EMEC’s public affairs strategy. T: +44 (0)1856 852249 |
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Dernis MediavillaMarine Energy Development ManagerDernis supports the Commercial Manager in identifying, developing and securing opportunities for EMEC to grow its portfolio of wave, tidal and floating wind projects. Dernis leads on engagement with new developers of offshore renewable energy technologies and develops opportunities for testing on EMEC sites and builds and maintains strong networks in the sector, encouraging collaborations between EMEC and key supply chain partners. T:+44 (0)1856 852218 |
James WalkerHydrogen Development ManagerAs part of the commercial team, James identifies, develops and contracts opportunities for EMEC to enable growth of the hydrogen-related R&D and business streams, expanding EMEC’s green hydrogen production, transportation and utilisation capabilities. James liaises with government and key stakeholders to address market mechanisms and business models to allow development of the sector. T:+44 (0)1856 852043 |
Catrin SutherlandSenior Commercial OfficerCatrin supports the implementation of EMEC’s sales and marketing strategies. She assists the Business Development Manager with EMEC’s business development activities, as well as contributing to the delivery of marketing services to external projects and market research. T: +44 (0)1856 852225 |
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Carly TaitSenior Marketing OfficerCarly’s main focus at EMEC is the delivery of communication and dissemination work packages for EMEC’s grant funded projects including TIGER, MONITOR and RESOURCECODE. She also supports the implementation of EMEC’s marketing strategy. T: +44 (0)1856 852204 |
Caron OagSenior Marketing Officer (Hydrogen)Caron supports the development and implementation of EMEC’s hydrogen marketing strategy, and facilitates hydrogen events and media enquiries. She leads the communications for EMEC’s hydrogen projects including ITEG and HyFLYER. T: +44 (0)1856 852219 |
Dave MacRaeMarketing OfficerDave assists the marketing team with the implementation of EMEC’s marketing strategy, developing EMEC’s international brand awareness across ocean energy, hydrogen and energy systems sectors. Dave also supports the delivery of project dissemination work packages, and coordinates engagement activities. T: +44 (0)1856 852212 |
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Jack BreckenridgeEvents OfficerJack coorindates and promotes EMEC’s participation at in person and virtual events, and supports the hosting of visitors to EMEC’s facilities. Jack works to promote event engagement on EMEC’s website and social media, creating and sharing visually engaging graphics and content. Jack organises virtual events to promote EMEC, industry and project progress and disseminate results into lessons learnt. T: +44(0)1856 852202 |
Lara SantosStakeholder Engagement OfficerLara supports the commercial team by coordinating EMEC’s stakeholder engagement plans, contributing to the public affairs strategy and developing resources relating to marine energy, hydrogen and energy systems for schools, the local community and visitors. T: +44(0)1856 852008 |
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OPERATIONS AND TECHNICAL TEAM |
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John SkuseOperations & Maintenance ManagerJohn is responsible for leading the Operations & Maintenance team, to ensure assets are fit for purpose, and to ensure all day to day operations are planned and executed safely and in accordance with requirements of EMEC’s Integrated Management System and polices. T: +44 (0)1856 852231 |
Vacant postTechnical Manager |
Nick WyattSenior Electrical & Performance Test EngineerNick ensures that EMEC’s electrical systems meet client requirements and are operated to relevant standards in a safe and efficient manner, ensuring availability of HV electrical connections and a range of electrical measurement equipment. T: +44 (0)1856 852244 |
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Donald SinclairOperations EngineerDonald assists in maintaining availability and proper functioning of all HV electrical connections and SCADA system associated with the test sites. He also works with developers to solve operational problems of a technical or data-related nature and provides first line technical support at substation sites (wave and tidal) including ‘engineer level’ maintenance of SCADA system. T: +44 (0)1856 852201 |
Florence UngaroMarine Operations SpecialistFlorence manages marine operations and projects across all EMEC and associated sites. Florence manages teams in a project management setting and has sound knowledge of working in the marine environment. T: +44 (0)1856 852005 |
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David DarbinyanSenior Metocean EngineerDavid oversees EMEC’s metocean data collection, quality control, criteria development and provides support to various stakeholders with regards to metocean information. With a background in physical oceanography, David worked as a metocean specialist for over 10 years, on offshore industry projects around Russia and South East Asia. T: +44 (0)1856 852200 |
Caitlin LongEnvironment and Consents SpecialistAt EMEC we ensure that our operational and delivery support covers our customer lifecycle from funding through to deployment at our wave and tidal sites. Fundamental to this is our consenting process and environmental monitoring capabilities, making it easier to inform or frame a deployment campaign at our sites. Caitlin is our specialist in all aspects of consenting and environmental monitoring. T: +44 (0)1856 852044 |
Richard KilpatrickElectrical EngineerRichard assists with the management of electrical safety across EMEC’s sites, including facilitation of new client’s electrical connections, and the maintenance and record keeping of our 11kV electrical system. Richard works closely with the Operations Team and assists with maintaining the availability and correct functioning of electrical systems whilst ensuring HSE policies and procedures are followed. T: +44 (0)1856 852069 |
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Jerry GibsonOperations TechnicianJerry supports the final assembly, installation, commissioning, service and maintenance of all EMEC’s hydrogen assets. Jerry ensures that all executed service activities are based on hydrogen and electrical safety standards working according to EMEC’s health and safety processes on all sites; as well as managing large and small equipment improvement projects in the plant. T: +44 (0)1856 852243 |
Dave WakefieldOperations TechnicianDave’s role is to maintain and operate EMEC’s assets to a high standard, assist the management of site operations and support the delivery of EMEC’s technical verification services. T: +44 (0)1856 852233 |
Scott CrawfordSenior Systems EngineerScott is developing the instrument and control system for EMEC’s hydrogen and electrical assets within the ITEG project. T: +44(0)7701 368650 |
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Richy AinsworthU.S Project EngineerRichy is now located in New Jersey, leading on project delivery and development in the United States. Continuing our work this side of the Atlantic is key to achieving our company vision of a ‘globally successful marine energy industry as part of a clean energy system’. To this end, having Richy based in the U.S brings learning and experience from EMEC to aid growth of the sector in North America. T: +44 (0)1856 852045 |
Angus BrownMaintenance Technician, EdayAngus carries out preventive and corrective maintenance at the Eday substation and Flaughton Hill. He helps to manage the facilities within the substation, laydown area and grounds, assisting with first line technical support across EMEC’s infrastructure including its newly installed hydrogen plant. T: +44 (0)1856 852205 |
Cristina Martinez LozanoPerformance Test EngineerCristina supports EMEC’s services into collaborative R&D projects focussed on marine energy device testing and performance assessment, adhering to standards and assisting with accreditation audits. Cris also works with developers and other project partners, managing the progress and delivery of EMEC’s projects and ensuring outputs are delivered on time and within budget. T: +44 (0)1856 852247 |
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Ana CoutoAcoustic EngineerAna develops and supports delivery of EMEC’s environmental monitoring services, including acoustics, for clients and within national and internationally funded R&D projects. Ana works with the operational team to plan and deliver environmental surveys at test sites and offsite as required. Ana also develops test plans and procedures to ensure full quality assurance measures have been implemented. T: +44 (0)1856 852060 |
Yann CorlayPerformance Test EngineerYann supports EMEC’s services into collaborative R&D projects focussed on marine energy device testing and performance assessment. Yann also works with developers and other project partners, managing the progress and delivery of EMEC’s projects and ensuring outputs are delivered on time, and within budget. T: +44 (0)1856 852217 |
Donald LeaverEnvironment & Consents OfficerDonald supports the acquisition, maintenance and streamlining of all statutory consents required at EMEC or other identified sites. Donald contributes to EMEC projects by providing environmental technical expertise. T: +44 (0)1856 852245 |
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Alyona NaberezhnykhResearch Engineer (iDCore)Alyona is currently working towards an EngD through the EPSRC Industrial CDT in Offshore Renewable Energy (IDCORE) programme and will be based at EMEC for three years. The work will consist of development of data driven turbulence models for tidal site characterisation as well as assessment of turbulence impacts on turbine performance. T: +44 (0)7584 434418
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Luke EvansResearch Engineer (iDCore)Luke is currently working towards an EngD through the EPSRC Industrial CDT in Offshore Renewable Energy (IDCORE) programme, and will be based at EMEC for three years. The work will consist of development of the power performance assessment for IEC guidelines in conjunction with real-time data capture to aid control systems. T: +44 (0)7563 146480 |
Paul TaitEnvironment & Consents OfficerPaul provides additional support to the Environment and Consents Specialist regarding the acquisition, maintenance and streamlining of consents required across EMEC and other test sites. Paul also delivers into environmental projects that EMEC manages. T:+44 (0)1856 852060 |
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Craig DibbPerformance Test EngineerCraig supports EMEC’s services into collaborative R&D projects focussed on marine energy device testing and performance assessment, adhering to standards and assisting with accreditation audits. Craig also works with developers and other project partners, managing the progress and delivery of EMEC’s projects and ensuring outputs are delivered on time and within budget. T:+44 (0)1856 852209 |
Rhoy PhilbyHydrogen EngineerRhoy is responsible for the design, development, operation and continual improvement of hydrogen production and fuelling infrastructure at both company and customer owned locations. Rhoy acts as a subject matter expert for all hydrogen systems and provides guidance and technical expertise to projects relating to hydrogen. T: +44(0)1856 852060 |
James FergusonR&D EngineerJames has recently completed an EngD through the iDCore programme after 3 years working alongside EMEC, and has since stayed on with the company as an R&D Engineer. T: +44 (0)1856 852230 |
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Baptiste Mathie-ClaverieEngineering TechnicianBaptiste supports the provision of testing services for marine energy devices owned by EMEC’s clients and to ensure high availability of all EMEC facilities and equipment. He also provides technical support for EMEC owned and operated hydrogen production and storage equipment. T: +44(0)1856 852060
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PROJECT MANAGEMENT TEAM |
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Vacant postHead of Projects |
Chris WardProject ManagerEMEC is leading the £28m Innovate UK ReFLEX project, which aims to develop a smart local energy system across the Orkney Island Communities and beyond. Chris coordinates and supports the large team across the various work packages, ensuring the delivery plan is implemented, targets are met and the budgets are on track. Chris also manages the European funded ITEG project, ensuring outputs are delivered on time, on budget and to a high quality. T: +44 (0)1856 852241 |
Susan LearmonthProgramme Finance and Procurement ManagerSusan manages the implementation and success of the portolio of project activities and finance performances to manage EMEC’s procurement strategy. Susan supports the PMO ensuring best value for money and compliance with project requirements. T: +44 (0)1856 852006 |
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Lisa FitzpatrickProject Manager (OceanDEMO)Lisa manages the multi-million pound OceanDEMO project to ensure outputs are delivered on time, to a high quality and standard. Lisa oversees the work of the Project Team and liaises and leads engagement with the INTERREG Joint Secretariat. T: +44 (0)1856 852246 |
Danielle MoodieProject ManagerDanielle manages several EMEC projects, ensuring they are delivered on time and to a high quality. As part of the Project Management Team, Danielle reports on budget planning, cash flow projection, monitoring and control. Danielle supports the Programme Manager and Projects Owners in providing delivery reports on EMEC’s activities at internal and external events. T: +44 (0)1856 852041 |
Pierre-Olivier AzémarProject Officer (ITEG & ReFLEX)Pierre-Olivier supports the development and delivery of EMEC’s activities in the Energy Systems field by developing detailed scopes of work, budgets and schedules for the delivery of projects. Pierre-Olivier provides technical analysis and review for new Energy Systems opportunities, feeding into business cases, risk assessments and technical reports. T: +44 (0)1856 852248 |
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Carly BanksProject Administration OfficerCarly provides administrative support to the Project Management Office by assisting with tracking project costs and timesheet processing, gathering evidence for financial claims and ensuring all records are accurately maintained. T: +44(0)1856 852000 |
Sarah PurdueProject OfficerSarah provides support to the project management team with planning, resourcing, delivering and monitoring projects as part of the project management office. Sarah collects data to inform decisions on budget, resource, prioritisation or other relevant topics and manages the annual project peer review process, integrating efficient and effective project management tools. T: +44 (0)1856 852007 |
Ferguson Clemas-HowardFinance and Audit AdministratorFerguson provides administrative support to the company with project finance and audits. Based in the project management office, Ferguson helps prepare, submit and finalise claims for grant funded projects including expense recording, minute taking and updating the PMO team task lists to ensure targets are met. T: +(0)1856 852228 |
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Ingrid RitchProject Finance OfficerIngrid provides administrative support to the project management office with staff timesheet processing, contract management, supplier management and assisting the PMO with project claims and any other tasks as directed by the Programme Manager. T: +44 (0)1856 852060 |
Leonore van VelzenHydrogen Project ManagerNoor manages several EMEC Hydrogen projects and collaborates with the wider project management team, the operations and technical team, the business development team and clients to support the development and delivery of hydrogen related work at EMEC. T: +44 (0)1856 852223 |
Nithiananthan VejayanProject ManagerNithiananthan manages EMEC projects to deliver outputs on time, and to a high quality. Nithiananthan oversees the work of the project team to ensure delivery of the partnership agreement and necessary deliverables, working closely with all staff across the business. T: +44(0)1856 852060 |
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John BegleyProject Manager (MegaAWE)John supports the successful delivery of the MegaAWE (Maturing utility-scale Airborne Wind Energy towards commercialisation) project. This includes managing the progress and ensuring outputs are to a high standard, to time and budget, and to the client’s satisfaction. T: +44 (0)1856 852041 |
Matthew StoreyTechnical Project ManagerMatthew manages technical projects and key clients, ensuring that deliverables are met to the highest standards and to the client’s satisfaction. Matthew collaborates with the wider project management team, the business development team and the technical and operations team to develop plans for implementation of technical scopes of work and projects. T: +44 (0)1856 852067 |
Maud EzelProgramme OfficerMaud assists the Project Management Office by supporting the finance and project portfolio and managing PMO tools and processes including cashflow strategy, timesheet prioritisation, KPIs and procurement activities. T: +44 (0)1856 852235 |
ASSOCIATES |
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Chris WhiteChris joined EMEC in 2007 as a Senior Electrical Test Engineer. He now works part-time for the company, supporting the management of EMEC’s electrical infrastructure and feeding his experience into various projects. |
Kris HydeKris studied Physics, Materials Science and Metallurgy at the University of Manchester. He then worked within the hydrogen industry for 14 years at ITM Power PLC, and is one of the UK’s leading experts in hydrogen technology. He has skills in chemistry, electro-chemistry, process engineering, PLC programming, H&S and project management. |
Alistair GrayAs the senior partner in an Accountancy Practice and serving on the Board of a number of companies Alistair has considerable commercial experience, and has extensive accountancy, managerial, board member and financial experience in a broad spectrum of industries. Over the past two decades he has specialised in developing and funding renewable energy projects and has experience of a wide range of renewable energy projects featuring a variety of technologies including Wind, Marine, Hydro, District Heating Schemes, Solar, Energy Service Companies and Community Energy projects.
He has substantial experience in project finance, financial modelling and all aspects of technical, legal, and financial due diligence associated with infrastructure projects. Operationally, he is involved in the Renewable Energy sector daily and has a strong commercial understanding of the complex regulatory regime underpinning the industry and have a strong network of contacts within the sector.
Alistair served an EMEC non-executive director from 2005 – 2020. |
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Andrew BaldockAndy is a Chartered Engineer and has a Masters in Renewable Energy. Over the past 15 years, Andy has directed over 100 person-years of marine energy consultancy activity. He has an extremely broad and detailed understanding of all aspects of the challenges involved in taking marine energy concepts to first arrays. |
Andrew HuntAndy is a chartered mechanical engineer and a Fellow of both the Institute of Mechanical Engineers and Society for Underwater Technology. He has extensive subsea engineering experience spanning 24 years including 16 years in marine renewables. In recent years, that included spearheading the development of subsea direct embedment anchoring systems and ROVs. He now works part time for EMEC providing technical support across a number of projects. |
Myles HewardMyles is an experienced Marine Engineer and Surveyor who first joined EMEC in 2017 as a Performance Test Engineer. He now works with many companies offering consultancy services including EMEC, assisting the operations team on a part-time basis with technical, marine and logistical demands.
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