UK: Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult Appoints Non-Executive Board

The Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult, the Glasgow-based UK innovation centre established to accelerate the growth and commercialisation of offshore wind, wave and tidal technologies, has strengthened its Board with the appointment of four distinguished Non-Executive Directors under the Chairmanship of Colin Hood, former Chief Operating Officer of SSE.

Helen Liddell (Rt Hon Baroness Liddell of Coatdyke), former UK Energy Minister, brings further experience to her position from previous roles as Scottish Secretary and CEO of Business Ventures, a company specialising in high tech business start-ups.

Professor Sir Jim McDonald is the Principal and Vice Chancellor of the University of Strathclyde, Chairman of both the Scottish Research Partnership in Engineering and the Scottish Energy Technology Partnership, and co-Chair with the First Minister of the Energy Advisory Board in Scotland.

Alan Moore OBE, past Chair of the Renewables Advisory Board and of RenewableUK, has over 40 years experience in research and power generation across all energy sources including wind, wave and tidal, and was responsible for the investment, development, construction and operation of North Hoyle, the UK’s first major offshore wind farm.

Rob Saunders, Head of Energy at the Technology Strategy Board, the UK Innovation Agency, has 15 years industrial experience in bringing innovative products to market and has led the Technology Strategy Board’s offshore renewable energy funding since 2011.

Colin Hood welcomed the new Board Members:
“The Catapult has passed a milestone in attracting such distinguished professionals to serve on the Board together with our experienced and growing management team. With £50 million funding recently approved by the Technology Strategy Board, and major announcements on our funding of pilot projects imminent, we are now on our way to making a significant difference to the offshore renewable energy sector. Our aim is to make the sector a world-beating engine of economic growth.”

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Press release, May 23, 2013; Image: Morgan Sindall