UK: Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult Appoints Andrew Jamieson as CEO

The Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult today announces the appointment of Andrew Jamieson as its Chief Executive Officer. He joins the Catapult from his previous role as Policy & Innovation Director of ScottishPower Renewables.

As CEO of the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult, Jamieson will be responsible for delivering the short and long term objectives of the Catapult, including recruitment of the Catapult team and delivering a robust business plan.

The new Catapult will accelerate the development of commercially viable technologies applicable to offshore wind, wave and tidal power. It will do this by bringing together knowledge, expertise and state-of-the-art facilities to help UK businesses develop innovative, reliable and cost effective technologies that can reduce the cost of energy from offshore renewable energy sources.

Businesses working with the Catapult will reduce the financial and operational risk associated with bringing profitable products and services to market.

Jamieson brings over 20 years’ experience in the energy sector to the Catapult.  He joined ScottishPower in 1988 and has held various positions within the company, including engineering, marketing, investor relations and finance. In 2004 he joined ScottishPower Renewables, where he was responsible for energy policy and regulation.

Jamieson also holds a number of chairman responsibilities. He is currently Chairman of RenewableUK, the UK trade body for wind and marine renewables. Until recently he chaired the Government-Industry Offshore Wind Cost Reduction Task Force, which published a report setting out actions and solutions to reduce the cost of offshore wind energy by at least 25% by 2020.

Business Secretary, Vince Cable said:

“Offshore renewable energy presents an excellent opportunity for our economy. The new Catapult will help us seize that opportunity and look to the long term, bring new products quickly to market and create sustainable green growth.

“Andrew Jamieson has exactly the sort of skills and background needed to lead the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult, and I’m looking forward to working with him.”

Commenting on his appointment Andrew Jamieson said:

“I am delighted to be invited to be the CEO of the new Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult. The UK offers huge investment potential in the offshore wind, wave and tidal generation industries. We will work closely with industry large and small, academia, enterprises and Government to ensure we identify, create and commercialise the best technological and innovation solutions to serve our offshore generation industries, grow UK-based supply chains, and help them prosper for many years to come.”

Colin Hood, Chairman of the Offshore Renewable Catapult said:

“Andrew has shown exceptional leadership throughout his career, he is passionate about renewable energy and has extensive knowledge of the challenges associated with offshore renewables. He is also extremely well connected and can count on respect from the industry, research base and government. We are very excited that he has agreed to lead the Catapult, he is the right man for the job.”

Ian Gray, Chief Executive of the Technology Strategy Board said:

“We are delighted that Andrew has joined us at this important stage of establishing the Catapult. He has demonstrated leadership qualities throughout his career and brings considerable knowledge of renewable energies found offshore that will help lead the Catapult team.”

The Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult is part of a network of world-leading technology and innovation centres, established and overseen by the Technology Strategy Board as a long-term investment that will open up global opportunities for the UK and generate economic growth for the future.

When it becomes operational next year, the Catapult will be a national resource, based in Glasgow, with strong links with centres of excellence across the UK, such as the European Marine Energy Centre, Wave Hub, and the marine energy parks in the South West of England and Scotland. It will also establish an operational facility in Blyth, Northumberland.

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Press release, September 12, 2012; Image: Scottish Enterprise