Our team
Executive Team |
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Neil KermodeManaging DirectorClick for role and contact infoNeil 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. Contact: |
Matthew FinnCommercial DirectorClick for role and contact infoMatthew 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. Contact: |
Donna RitchFinance DirectorClick for role and contact infoDonna oversees the finance function and is responsible for corporate governance. She manages the full range of support services including HR processes and activities, administration, office facilities and IT support and development. Donna also oversees quality management & contracts management processes. Contact: |
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Jonathan LindsayOperations and Technology DirectorClick for role and contact infoJonathan 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. Contact: |
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Business Support Team |
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Cath RussellOffice ManagerClick for role and contact infoCath manages EMEC’s office facilities and coordinates admin support across the company ensuring a high level of customer service internally and externally. Contact: |
Pete DonaldAdministration OfficerClick for role and contact infoPete 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. Contact: |
Christine ScottFinance ManagerClick for role and contact infoChristine manages the finance function, including budgeting, managing cashflow and presenting financial reports. Christine leads the audit process and works with others within EMEC to establish and maintain effective financial processes. Contact: |
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Molly HarrisHR ManagerClick for role and contact infoMolly manages the HR function including resourcing, recruitment, HR procedures and processes. Molly also leads on the HR tasks in the business support team plan and manages EMEC’s job evaluation, salary review and succession planning processes, acting as first point of contact for all HR queries. Contact: |
Lauren WarnockHR OfficerClick for role and contact infoLauren supports the HR function, assisting with resourcing and recruitment, and supporting implementation of HR strategies, policies and procedures across the organisation. Lauren also provides HR support to all staff, acting as a point of contact for HR queries. Contact: |
Lesley BewsQuality ManagerClick for role and contact infoLesley’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. Contact: |
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Ray BanksIT Systems ManagerClick for role and contact infoRay 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. Contact: |
Corrine SinclairContracts ManagerClick for role and contact infoCorrine 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. Contact: |
Karen FlettFinance OfficerClick for role and contact infoKaren 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. Contact: |
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Commercial Team |
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Matthew StoreyCommercial Manager (maternity cover)Click for role and contact info Matt identifies, secures and manages new commercial opportunities to support the long term growth of EMEC. He focuses on EMEC’s international collaborations and building a portfolio of clients and partners from around the world. Contact: |
Lisa MacKenzieMarketing and Communications ManagerClick for role and contact infoLisa 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 oversees delivery of communications and dissemination work packages for grant funded projects, including ReFLEX Orkney. Contact: |
Eileen LinklaterExternal Relationship ManagerClick for role and contact infoEileen 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. Contact: |
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Caron OagHydrogen Development ManagerClick for role and contact infoCaron supports the Commercial Manager in identifying, developing and securing opportunities for EMEC to grow and develop the hydrogen sector. Caron leads on engagement with clients and suppliers in the hydrogen sector as well as positioning EMEC to deliver on its strategic aims within hydrogen. Caron and the wider team also focus on developing new services in the hydrogen sector. Contact: |
Dave MacRaeMarketing OfficerClick for role and contact infoDave 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. Contact: |
Craig DibbProject Development Coordinator (ICNZ)Click for role and contact infoCraig works with the Island Centre for Net Zero (ICNZ) partners to identify, develop and contract opportunities for the ICNZ to grow its research and development activities, supporting the Project Director in the development of the centre’s longer-term strategy. Contact: |
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Colin KeldieMarketing OfficerClick for role and contact infoColin supports the implementation of EMEC’s marketing strategy. Colin is a professional photographer, capturing photos and video of EMEC and client activities, as well as supporting content creation focussing on video production and graphic design. Contact: |
Erika KempClient Relationship OfficerClick for role and contact infoErika supports EMEC’s commercial team to deliver sales and marketing strategies, focussing on service delivery and repeat business. This includes leading commercial delivery tasks by liaising with EMEC’s Project Management Office, preparing and monitoring project deliverables and consultancy. Erika also gathers market intelligence by meeting clients, identifying funding and commercial opportunities, facilitates capture of lessons learnt, and supports marketing activities. Contact: |
Karen JamiesonKnowledge Exchange Coordinator (ICNZ)Click for role and contact infoAs part of the Marketing Team, Karen leads Communications and Knowledge Exchange for the Islands Centre for Net Zero. Contact: |
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Francesca PerottiStakeholder Engagement OfficerClick for role and contact infoFrancesca coordinates delivery of EMEC’s stakeholder engagement activities, maintaining strong relationships with key stakeholders to build support for EMEC activities in pursuit of a just transition.. She also supports EMEC’s public affairs work. Contact: |
Lara Santos AyllonPhD ResearcherClick for role and contact infoLara is a PhD researcher focusing on justice, energy and innovation Contact: |
Dernis MediavillaCommercial Manager (on maternity leave)Click for role and contact infoDernis identifies, secures and manages new commercial opportunities to support the long term growth of EMEC. She focuses on EMEC’s international collaborations and building a portfolio of clients and partners from around the world. Contact: |
Operations and Maintenance Team |
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Brendan BrankinOperations and Maintenance ManagerClick for role and contact infoBrendan is responsible for leading the Operations and 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. Contact: |
Richard HuntSenior Electrical & Performance Test EngineerClick for role and contact infoRichard ensures that EMEC’s electrical systems meet client’s requirements, that they are operated to relevant standards and to deliver power performance assessment of customers technologies. Contact: |
Robert LennieSenior Electrical & Performance Test EngineerClick for role and contact infoRobert ensures that EMEC’s electrical systems meet client’s requirements, that they are operated to relevant standards and to deliver power performance assessment of customers technologies. Contact: |
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Florence UngaroMarine Operations SpecialistClick for role and contact infoFlorence 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. |
Donald SinclairSenior Operations EngineerClick for role and contact infoDonald 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. Contact: |
Rhoy PhilbySenior Hydrogen EngineerClick for role and contact infoRhoy 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. Contact: |
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Graeme FrenchHSE ManagerClick for role and contact infoGraeme supports and manages the health, safety and environmental aspects of EMEC operations across all sites, offices and projects. He works closely with the Quality Manager to maintain EMECs Integrated Management System. Contact: |
Chelsea WillElectrical EngineerClick for role and contact infoChelsea assists in the management of EMEC’s HV and LV systems including client’s electrical connections and marine energy device performance testing. They are also responsible for the electrical design and construction work for EMEC’s electrical systems including management of defined work packages and client projects, and required operational activities at the marine energy test sites. Contact: |
Matt PallisterElectrical EngineerClick for role and contact info Matt assists in the management of EMEC’s HV and LV systems including client’s electrical connections and marine energy device performance testing. He is also responsible for the electrical design and construction work for EMEC’s electrical systems including management of defined work packages and client projects, and required operational activities at the marine energy test sites. Contact: |
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Baptiste Mathie-ClaverieEngineering TechnicianClick for role and contact infoBaptiste 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. Contact: |
Steven BruceHydrogen Engineering TechnicianClick for role and contact infoSteven supports with the specification, operation and maintenance of EMEC’s hydrogen assets. Contact: |
Jerry GibsonOperations TechnicianClick for role and contact infoJerry 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. Contact: |
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Pierre-Olivier AzémarOperations TechnicianClick for role and contact infoPierre-Olivier supports the Operations team in maintaining and ensuring good operation of EMEC’s assets to a high standard, assisting with the management of site operations and support the delivery of EMEC’s technical verification services. Contact: |
Kevin LockwoodMaintenance Technician – EdayClick for role and contact infoKevin 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. Contact: |
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Technical Team |
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Caroline LourieTechnical ManagerClick for role and contact infoCaroline supports EMEC from a technical perspective by managing the technical delivery team, driving the delivery of technical projects and overseeing the monitoring of new technologies and assessing their potential to ensure maximum value to the company and sector. Contact: |
Scott CrawfordSenior Systems EngineerClick for role and contact infoScott is developing the instrument and control system for EMEC’s hydrogen and electrical assets within the ITEG project. Contact: |
Donald LeaverSenior Environments and Consents OfficerClick for role and contact infoDonald 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. Contact: |
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Richard SeySenior Metocean EngineerClick for role and contact infoRichard is EMEC’s metocean and oceanographic subject matter technical expert. Richard leads and manages the collection, analysis, quality control and dissemination of all metocean and oceanographic measurement programmes. Contact: |
Millie GreenEnvironmental OfficerClick for role and contact infoMillie performs environmental monitoring services within EMEC’s projects. Millie implements EMEC’s environmental monitoring programme, supports the development of EMEC’s technical expertise, and undertakes fieldwork campaigns including survey design and data collection. She also prepares technical reports for use by the client, presents research findings and guidance to stakeholders, undertakes literature reviews, and provides guidance to mitigate, monitor and manage environmental risks associated with activities performed across EMEC’s projects and facilities. Contact: |
Amy SutcliffeEnvironment and Consents OfficerClick for role and contact infoAmy supports the Technical Team with supporting the acquisition, maintenance and streamlining of all statutory consents required at EMEC or other identified test sites. Amy will also deliver consenting and environmental technical expertise into EMEC projects. Contact: |
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Tiago MartinsMetocean Data EngineerClick for role and contact infoTiago supports with EMEC’s metocean data collection, quality control, criteria development and provides support to various stakeholders with regards to metocean information. Contact: |
Luke EvansProject EngineerClick for role and contact infoLuke oversees and executes EMEC’s projects encompassing marine energy performance assessments, hydrogen asset systems integration, electrical infrastructure alignment, and techno-economic analysis. Contact: +44 (0)7563 146480 |
Grant LeishmanProject EngineerClick for role and contact infoGrant oversees and executes EMEC’s projects encompassing marine energy performance assessments, hydrogen asset systems integration, electrical infrastructure alignment, and techno-economic analysis. Contact: |
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Felix TrotterEnvironmental SpecialistClick for role and contact infoFelix implements EMEC’s environmental monitoring programme, supports the development of EMEC’s technical expertise, and undertakes fieldwork campaigns including survey design and data collection. He also designs and implements statistical and machine learning models for data analysis and interpretation. Felix prepares technical reports for use by the client, presents research findings and guidance to stakeholders, undertakes literature reviews, and provides guidance to mitigate, monitor and manage environmental risks associated with activities performed across EMEC’s projects and facilities. Contact: |
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Project Management Team |
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Susan LearmonthHead of ProjectsClick for role and contact infoSusan leads EMEC’s project management office, overseeing the portfolio of projects, ensuring outputs are delivered on time and to a high quality. Susan manages the overall progress and delivery of EMEC’s projects, including the management of partners, funders, clients and stakeholders. Susan works closely and flexibly with EMEC staff from across the business, with a focus on close liaison with the Commercial Team. Contact: |
Leonore van VelzenProject ManagerClick for role and contact infoNoor 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. Contact: |
Carly TaitProject ManagerClick for role and contact infoCarly manages EMEC projects, ensuring they are delivered on time and to a high quality. Carly also manages the delivery of communication and dissemination work packages for EMEC’s grant funded projects including TIGER and FORWARD2030. Contact: |
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Heather TurnbullProject ManagerClick for role and contact infoHeather manages several EMEC projects to deliver outputs on time, and to a high quality. Heather 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. Contact: |
Craig GillonProject ManagerClick for role and contact infoCraig manages several EMEC projects to deliver outputs on time, and to a high quality. Craig 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. Contact: |
Nithiananthan VejayanProject ManagerClick for role and contact infoNithiananthan 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. Contact: |
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Myles HewardProject ManagerClick for role and contact infoMyles manages several EMEC projects to deliver outputs on time, and to a high quality. Myles is an experienced Marine Engineer and Surveyor who first joined EMEC in 2017 as a Performance Test Engineer. Contact: |
Luisa Perez MilneProject ManagerClick for role and contact infoLuisa manages projects across EMEC’s project portfolio, ranging from tidal, wave, hydrogen, offshore wind and integrated energy systems. Contact: |
John BegleyProject ManagerClick for role and contact infoJohn manages several EMEC projects to deliver outputs on time, and to a high quality. John 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. Contact: |
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Laura HuttonProject Director (ICNZ)Click for role and contact infoLaura is leading the Islands Centre for Net Zero (ICNZ) project, driving the project to accelerate the transition to net zero for Orkney, Shetland and the Outer Hebrides. Contact:
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Claire ThomsonAssistant Project Manager (ICNZ)Click for role and contact infoClaire provides support with planning, resourcing, delivering and monitoring projects as part of the ICNZ project. Claire supports ICNZ by using relevant processes and collecting data to inform decisions on budget, resource & prioritisation. She assists with the planning and execution of projects, and reports on key deliverables, KPIs, and project performance on a monthly, quarterly, and annual basis. Contact: |
Duncan GrayAssistant Project ManagerClick for role and contact infoDuncan provides support with planning, resourcing, delivering and monitoring projects as part of the Programme Management Office Team. Duncan supports project portfolios by using relevant processes and collecting data to inform decisions on budget, resource & prioritisation. He assists with the planning and execution of projects, and reports on key deliverables, KPIs, and project performance on a monthly, quarterly, and annual basis. Contact: |
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Mike PartridgeProjects ControllerClick for role and contact infoMike provides support to the Project Management Office, assisting with continuing development and daily operation of tools and systems for project monitoring and record keeping, procurement, risk management, timesheet management and cashflow. Mike is a Fellow of the Institute of Physics. Contact: |
Ingrid RitchProgramme Finance LeadClick for role and contact infoIngrid 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. Contact: |
Sarah PurdueSenior Project OfficerClick for role and contact infoSarah 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. Contact: |
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Catrin GarrettProject OfficerClick for role and contact infoCatrin provides support with planning, resourcing, delivering and monitoring projects as part of the Programme Management Office Team. Contact: |
Abbie SinclairProject Administration OfficerClick for role and contact infoAbbie provides administrative support to the Project Management Office (PMO). Contact: |
Sinead AdamProject Administration OfficerClick for role and contact infoSinead 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. Contact: |
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Associates |
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Andrew BaldockClick for roleAndy 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 HuntClick for roleAndy 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. |
Alistair GrayClick for roleAlistair served as EMEC non-executive director from 2005–2020. As the senior partner in an Accountancy Practice and serving on the Board of a number of companies Alistair has extensive commercial, accountancy, managerial, board and financial experience in a broad spectrum of industries. He has specialised in developing and funding renewable energy projects, and has substantial experience in project finance, financial modelling as well as technical, legal, and financial due diligence associated with infrastructure projects. His experience spans wind, marine energy, hydro, district heating schemes, solar, energy service companies and community energy projects. |
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Kris HydeClick for roleKris 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. |
Stuart BrownClick for roleStuart is a mechanical engineer and business-owner and has been working in offshore renewables at senior level for more than 13 years. In addition to consulting on more than 20 offshore wind projects in the North Sea, Stuart was CEO of the FloWave Ocean Energy Research Facility and consults to a number of clean ocean energy technology companies. He is very familiar with both the offshore wind sector and developing and commercialising world-class facilities for testing new & innovative clean ocean energy technologies – a perfect skill-set for developing our new floating offshore wind test and demonstration site. |
Penny JeffcoateClick for rolePenny is a Chartered marine engineer with extensive tidal energy experience, from PhD and Post Doctoral research, through to deployment and testing of commercial devices. Her work has been focussed on: site survey and analysis at multiple international sites; on site testing and associated marine activities; and performance analysis and reporting. |
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Joanna McDonaldClick for roleJoanna is working with EMEC as Communications Lead for the MAXBlade project. For 15 years she delivered training and operational risk management in waterborne emergency response with Maritime Rescue International Ltd. Between 2006-2009 she was Director of a small NGO in Uganda which was working to prevent drowning accidents in the Great Lakes region. Joanna worked with BP UK and Shell Netherlands in senior internal communications roles and has a particular interest in crisis communications and stakeholder management. She holds a Masters in Corporate Communications and Public Affairs, is a published researcher in the International Journal for Corporate Communications, and holds Level 4 Award Foundations of Security and Risk Management, and Level 5 Corporate Risk and Crisis Management from The Institute of Strategic Risk Management. |
David GrantClick for roleDavid has over 30 years research experience on hydrogen storage materials and systems. He has been involved with many applied and fundamental research projects, funded by government and industry. He is an associate of EMEC and currently based at the University of Nottingham (UoN) where he is Head of Advanced Materials and Director of the UoN Energy Institute. He is also an international expert on the IEA Technology Collaboration Program Task 40 “Energy Storage and Conversion Based on Hydrogen.” |
John ThoulessClick for roleJohn is an associate with EMEC providing strategic development support for the expansion of the Fall of Warness tidal site. He brings over 20 years’ experience in renewable energy. During his time as Head of Marine Development at SSE Renewables, John was closely involved in the development of both marine energy technologies and projects, overseeing four development sites in Orkney waters and advising on investments in tidal and wave energy companies. He subsequently held the position of Chief Operating Officer at an independent renewable energy developer, responsible for managing a team of some 20 development professionals and a project portfolio of over 1GW. This included overseeing, at the time, the world’s largest hybrid wind/solar PV development, a 375MW, circa £350m project, in South Australia. More recently John led on the commercialisation of the pioneering, smart local energy system project, ReFLEX, in Orkney. He has been a director and chair of project special purpose vehicles. John has a background in power engineering, with experience in the development, and construction, of thermal energy plants including combined heat and power. John’s skills include major energy project strategic development, techno-economic modelling & project investment appraisal, commercial negotiations & deal structuring, investor due diligence, project management & reporting, and securing development consents and stakeholder management. |
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Chris WhiteClick for roleChris 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. |
William GroundwaterClick for roleWilliam joined EMEC in 2022 as a Hydrogen Intern in the technical team as part of his industrial placement year for his Masters degree in Chemistry. Having returned to the University of Strathclyde to complete his studies, he is now a technical associate supporting project delivery work on an ad-hoc basis. |
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