Press release: Lisa MacKenzie wins communicator award for EMEC
EMEC’s Lisa MacKenzie with Prof Paul Mitchell, Energy Technology Partnership (Credit: Tim Winterburn)
The European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC)’s Marketing and Communications Officer, Lisa MacKenzie, has been awarded the ‘Communicator Award’ at the Scottish Renewables Young Professionals Green Energy Awards held in the Glasgow Science Centre [Thursday 26 May 2016].
Following in the footsteps of the hugely successful Scottish Green Energy Awards, this event run by Scottish Renewables recognises the contribution being made by the next generation of thinkers, shapers and decision makers in the renewable energy sector – one of Scotland’s proudest environmental and economic success stories.
The communicator award is given each year to an individual working in marketing, PR or communications who has gone above and beyond the call of duty to achieve positive results for the renewables industry.
Lisa joined EMEC in 2011 as part of the ScotGrad Graduate Placement scheme sponsored by Highlands and Islands Enterprise. She quickly gained a permanent position as EMEC’s Marketing and Communications Officer, and for the last few years has been fundamental in making EMEC a world-leading brand in marine renewable energy.
Managing EMEC’s website and social media, as well as impressive media relations, Lisa’s work keeps EMEC, Orkney, and Scotland, at the forefront of the marine renewable energy industry globally.
EMEC’s Lisa MacKenzie alongside SME’s PLATO platform and SCHOTTEL tidal turbine (Credit Colin Keldie)
Lisa MacKenzie, EMEC’s Marketing & Communications Officer, said:
“My role at EMEC has given me the most amazing opportunities – to be at the forefront of an incredible new innovative sector in my home islands is a privilege. It also comes with a responsibility to tell the stories: spreading the word about the technological advances, achievements and learning that takes place on EMEC’s sites every single time something is tested in seawater.
“Being from Orkney, I’m delighted to see the impact that the renewables sector – and particularly marine renewables – is having in my community. Historically young people moved away to study and build a career, but renewables is attracting young professionals from around the world to come and live, work and study in Orkney. And I feel incredibly honoured to be part of that.
“Orkney acts as a great case study for the benefits this new sustainable energy source could bring in terms of tackling climate change, creating jobs, and contributing to energy security – by generating electricity from our own waters.”
In amongst her list of achievements Lisa has developed and maintained EMEC’s website (www.emec.org.uk) which in 2015 received 65,000 unique visitors from around the world. Lisa has also established successful social media channels – she has built EMEC’s twitter following to in excess of 2000 in 3 years. Having gathered well over 400 media contacts, EMEC’s reach in the local, national and international industry is extensive, and an important tool in conveying industry news.
Neil Kermode, Managing Director at EMEC, said:
“It is hard to sum up how wide Lisa’s reach is because her work is in everything we do. She is steadfastly focussed on making marine energy a success – her support is unfailing and her drive remarkable.”
Calum Davidson, Director of Energy and Low Carbon at Highlands and Islands Enterprise, adds:
“This is great news for Lisa and we are absolutely delighted for her. The ScotGrad scheme is about providing opportunities for young people to gain valuable experience and at the same time allow employers to sample the fresh thinking and ideas that graduates can bring to a business. This in turn encourages them to consider graduate recruitment as and when openings arise.
“Lisa’s success in this, and EMEC’s, is a great example of what can come from graduate placements and recruitment.”
For the full list of finalists and winners, visit: Scottish Renewables Young Professionals Green Energy Awards 2016
