Andrew Oliver - Chairman of Humber Marine and Renewables and Partner at Andrew Jackson Solicitors LLP

Andrew is a trusted specialist in the field of marine law and commercial fisheries, both nationally and internationally. He advises on the sale, purchase and financing of vessels, licenses, fishing quota and fishing effort. Andrew also advises on marine environmental matters including pollution, environmental protection and marine spatial planning.

Andrew’s regulatory expertise and experience means he regularly advises in connection with investigations carried out by local Inshore Fisheries and Conservation authorities, MMO, MCA and various other government departments.

He has been involved in offshore energy in all forms, especially in respect of vessel sales, purchase and charters, health and safety issues, and the interaction of the renewables industry with other users of the sea.

Orsted - Keynote Speaker - Patrick Harnett, Head of European Execution Programmes

Patrick Harnett is the Head of European Execution Programmes at Orsted, overseeing a portfolio of over 6GW of offshore wind projects – notably Hornsea 3, which will be the largest offshore wind project in the world. Patrick has worked in various roles across Orsted since joining in 2016 and most recently was the Senior Programme Director for Hornsea 2, currently the world’s largest offshore wind farm. Patrick has previously held senior positions in Centrica including being the Head of Solar, Head of Operational Excellence and Project Director for Lincs offshore wind farm. Patrick is passionate about people, engineering and the construction and commissioning of world leading projects.

Marc Adams – Senior Supply Chain Development Manager - Orsted

Marc is the Senior Supply Chain Development Manager at Ørsted with a focus on building UK supply chain capacity to support Ørsted asset projects globally and is currently part of the Hornsea 3 project team. Prior to that Marc has over 15 years experience in building supply chains, supporting exports and attracting inward investment for the UK Government with a specific focus on offshore wind. During his time as Head of Offshore Wind at The UK’s Department for International Trade he played an active role in the early development of the Offshore Wind Sector Deal. Marc is a currently member of the following supply chain related groups: Renewable UK supply chain group, Fit for Offshore Renewables Industry Advisory Group and the Offshore Wind Growth Partnership Reference Group.

Dafydd Williams - Head of Policy, Communications & Economic Development (Humber) ABP

Dafydd joined ABP in January 2017 as the Head of Policy, Communications & Economic Development for the Humber. He is responsible for all of ABP Humber’s external relations, policy developments, partnerships and manages large projects like Brexit planning and Freeport status and several regeneration schemes. Prior to ABP, Dafydd worked for eight years for Yorkshire Water in various roles including latterly as Group Head of Corporate Affairs. He has previously worked for PR agencies managing accounts for a number of big names in the housing, retail, energy and transport sectors.

Dafydd is the former Leader of City of York Council and has extensive political experience having worked for MPs and ministers between 1999 and 2007. He has been a magistrate for the last 11 years and is the former Chair of Hull College Group.

Andrew Elmes – Head of Business Development, UK&I - Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy

Andrew represents Siemens Gamesa Offshore in UK and Ireland.

From a first career as a military engineer, Andrew joined Siemens Wind Power in 2007, project managing UK onshore windfarms as well as establishing the first UK project and construction teams.

After a brief emigration to Australia, he returned to Siemens in 2015 to manage the port and preassembly development for Siemens Gamesa’s flagship Port of Hull facility. He then led the wind turbine team to deliver Scottish Power’s East Anglia ONE offshore windfarm, on a project that saw the first scale deployment of 66kV electrical design, as well as completing through the outbreak of the CV-19 pandemic.

Andrew lives in Surrey with his wife and two young sons.

Katharine York - Operations and Maintenance Centre of Excellence Manager for the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult

Katharine is the Operations and Maintenance Centre of Excellence Manager for the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult, supporting development of new technology and services to improve performance, increase reliability, enhance safety and reduce environmental impacts associated with offshore wind.

For more than a decade, Katharine has been coordinating maintenance and logistics on offshore wind farms, including establishing and running control rooms for 24/7 monitoring of turbines and vessels.

Len Taylor - Northern Powerhouse Sector Specialist Offshore Wind and Renewables

Len Taylor - Northern Powerhouse Sector Specialist Offshore Wind and Renewables

Len has over 15+ years’ experience in the energy sector covering all aspects from offshore wind, biomass/biofuels, through to CCUS, and more latterly with hydrogen. He has held very senior roles during that time with many major companies such as AMEC, DONG Energy (now Orsted), and Whessoe Engineering (part of Samsung C&T).

Having had the experience of perspectives from the owner operator side as well as the major EPC side he has a unique experience with the very broad experience in the energy sector coupled with considerable international experience building up business in India, Malaysia, China, Bahrain and Libya.

Duncan Slater - International Trade Adviser with the DBT (Department for Business and Trade)

Duncan has worked in his current role, as an International Trade Adviser with the Department for Business and Trade for over 10 years, supporting businesses in developing and growing export sales. Before that, he has gained extensive experience in business management since 1984, holding senior management roles including Sales Director and General Manager. He worked overseas for over 20 years in many countries, experiencing first hand different business cultures and industry sectors. This was followed by undertaking work in London, Wales and South Yorkshire.

He has an in-depth knowledge of domestic and international business operation, along with a full understanding of basic business practice and the key factors essential for developing business in this country and internationally. In recent years, Duncan has led highly successful DIT trade missions to the Netherlands for businesses operating in the Renewable Energy sector and is a keen advocate of supporting all businesses both small and large to develop and grow in overseas markets.

Emma Toulson – Humber Offshore Wind Cluster Champion/ Ørsted

Emma Toulson is the Humber Offshore Wind Cluster (HOWC) Champion/ Ørsted in the UK. Working predominantly in the regions where Ørsted are developing, constructing or operating projects, she leads on engagement with regional and local government, skills, the supply chain and local communities.

Emma was a key contributor to the Offshore Wind Sector Deal leading on the ‘Place: Clusters’ element which aims to grow existing clusters and create more opportunities for investment and growth in regional economies across the UK.

Prior to joining Ørsted Emma worked for the Humber Local Enterprise Partnership as Sector Development Manager on secondment from WSP engineering consultancy. She was awarded the 2019 “Humber Renewables Champion Award” for her work over the years on the development of the Humber Energy Estuary.

Jane Cooper - Director of Offshore Wind, RenewableUK

Jane started with RenewableUK as Director of Offshore Wind in September 2022. In this role, Jane leads the team delivering the Offshore Wind Sector Deal. Having worked at Orsted for ten years, Jane has a proven track record in the industry with a deep understanding of the challenges faced by the sector to meet its targets for 2030 and beyond. Currently serving on the Government’s Green Skills Delivery Group, Jane holds an MSc from City University and is a Chartered Mechanical Engineer. Jane previously worked at Rolls Royce and Orange and is passionate about equality, diversity and inclusion.

Zoe Keeton - Head of Stakeholders and local markets UK and Ireland, RWE

Zoë has almost 30 years’ energy industry experience in both private and government sectors. She was actively involved in the industry’s negotiation of the Offshore Wind Sector Deal and is chair of the OFTO Expert Group. Previously, she established the government’s first Aviation Management Board, addressing the impacts of wind farms on radar, has chaired working groups on planning and noise, and redesigned npower’s fuel poverty programmes.

In her current role she now focuses on how to maximize the socio economic benefits from offshore wind, via policy measures to create broad, sustainable supply chains and to build the skilled labor force that will be required to deliver net zero targets. She is also a diversity champion for RWE Renewables, promoting equality, diversity and inclusion across the business.

Danielle Lane - Director of Offshore Development UK and Ireland, RWE

Danielle is Director of Offshore Development UK & Ireland for RWE. She joined RWE in January 2022 from Vattenfall where she held positions as Director of Asset Value & Partnering and Director of Offshore Market Development. She was joined Vattenfall in 2018 and was also Vattenfall’s UK Country Manager.

Danielle previously worked for Ørsted where she headed their UK regulatory and public affairs team, leading engagement with UK Government for the first CFDs awarded to UK offshore wind projects. Prior to Ørsted, Danielle worked at The Crown Estate where she had responsibility for design and implementation of the Round 3 offshore wind leasing tender and Centrica where she was Project Manager for the Round 2 offshore wind farms.

Danielle was educated at Imperial College and the University of Bath and holds an MBA from Open University.

Dan McGrail - Chief Executive - RenewableUK

Dan McGrail took up his post of Chief Executive at RenewableUK in May 2021. Previously he was the CEO of Siemens Engines. He joined Siemens UK in 2004 and has worked in a variety of roles across the energy industry.

Between 2010 and 2014 he led Siemens plans to develop and invest in offshore wind turbine manufacturing in the UK, securing the world-class offshore wind turbine blade factory and port facility in Hull, negotiating with the UK government and overseeing one of the company’s most significant factory investments in its recent history. The Final Investment Decision of £160m was announced in 2014, alongside a £150m investment by Associated British Ports to revitalise Hull’s Alexandra Dock.

As Managing Director of Siemens Power Generation from 2014-2017, he expanded Siemens UK’s activities in the thermal power market. He became CEO of Siemens Engines in November 2017, leading the rebranding of the company and helping to secure significant growth.

He served as Chair of the Association of Decentralised Energy from 2016 to 2019 and was Vice Chair until February 2021. He set up the Heat Network Industry Council to engage politicians and drive policy reform to build zero carbon heat networks.

He graduated from Liverpool John Moores University in 2003 with a degree in International Business Studies and Spanish. During his studies he spent a year at the University of Alicante and is fluent in Spanish. After graduating, he qualified with the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants. More recently he completed the CBI Leadership programme, in London, Brussels and Washington DC.

Sarah Rodgers, HR Business Partner - Siemens Gamesa

Sarah Rodgers, HR Business Partner, started with Siemens Gamesa in August 2022 – an experienced human resources specialist, Sarah has spent over 20 years in a variety of HR and Organisational Development roles within workplaces such as Smith & Nephew and the University of Hull.

At Siemens Gamesa, Sarah works within the Senior Leadership Team as the HR Partner for the Hull Blade Factory, covering the entire HR spectrum from providing operational support to implementing strategic projects.

Sarah is also a school governor at a local secondary school, specialising in future careers.

Janet Fallon - Interim CEO - MaritimeUK

Janet joined Maritime UK in May 2022 following a comprehensive career as a marine lawyer spanning over 30 years. With over 20 years’ experience in shaping the strategic direction of an organisation both in Board leadership and Non-Executive Board Director roles, Janet was also a former vice-president of a large commercially focussed organisation and responsible for a multi-million dollar client portfolio.

As Commercial Director, Janet is focused on developing strategic relationships across the sector to enable Maritime UK to deliver as effectively as possible against the Maritime 2050 strategy. She works with members to ensure engagement with Maritime UK’s work programme and maximum value for sponsors across Maritime UK’s suite of events and products. She is responsible for governance and compliance, managing the organisation's Finance, Audit and Risk Committee and grant reporting.

Janet became Interim Chief Executive in April 2023.

David Bould - Lead R & D Specialist - Orsted

David is Lead R&D Specialist in Ørsted’s Ventures & Open Innovation team. He is responsible for Ørsted’s work with external innovation ecosystems in the UK, including start-ups, universities, research organisations, and adjacent sectors. He has held positions in ORE Catapult, the University of Edinburgh and the Carbon Trust, specialising in offshore wind, wave and tidal energy, and energy systems. He also previously worked offshore as a Chief Field Geophysicist in the oil & gas seismic survey sector. He holds an MSc in Sustainable Energy Systems and a BSc in Computer Science and Management Science. Following several years living in Copenhagen, he has now relocated back home to Edinburgh.

Julian Cattermole - Managing Director - Boston Energy

Julian started his career in the Royal Marines where he served for 7 years. Before joining Boston Energy in 2019, Julian spent 20 years developing his skills and experience in a number of leadership roles across multiple sectors. This included the renewable energy sector, with a multi-country focus on business growth, achieved as a direct result of quality service and customer satisfaction.

Ian Coates - Manging Director of Specialist Marine Consultants Ltd (SMC)

Ian Coates Managing Director of Specialist Marine Consultants Ltd (SMC), has been a prominent figure in the offshore industry for over 30 years, establishing SMC back in 2006 and driving the company towards its current position of 300 personnel whilst been a globally renowned provider of services to the renewables sector.

Ian’s wealth of experience, accrued whilst holding a series of high-level managerial positions after a 17 year sea going career where Ian became qualified as a vessel Master working in the Oil and Gas exploration sector. Ian has become a leading marine and HSE consultant in the renewable sector. Working throughout Europe and developing SMC’s business in Taiwan and the US.

Further to his role as Managing Director at SMC, Ian maintains positions on the boards of the Marine Surveying Academy (part of the world-renowned International Institute of Marine Surveyors or 'IIMS'), and the Humberside Offshore Training Association (HOTA).

Dr Agota Mockute - Lecturer in Renewable Energy and NERC Knowledge Exchange Fellow in Offshore Wind and Natural Environment at the University of Hull

Dr Agota Mockute is a Lecturer in Renewable Energy and NERC Knowledge Exchange Fellow in Offshore Wind and Natural Environment at the University of Hull. She has graduated with MEng in Civil and Energy Engineering in 2015, followed by a PhD in 2019 with a focus on wave loading on offshore wind turbines. In 2019 Agota joined the University of Hull and has found her passion in the knowledge exchange domain – empowering the communication between academia, industry, and other stakeholders in offshore wind, to promote rapid yet sustainable expansion of this critical sector, both in installed capacity and the skilled workforce.

Adrian Clarke - Group Vice Principal Corporate Service - TEC Partnership

Adrian Clarke is the Group Vice Principal Corporate Service at TEC Partnership who offer Further and Higher Education provision on campuses from Skegness up to Scarborough and including Grimsby, Beverly, Bridlington and Hull. He is and has been a senior manager working in education and training for 30 years. He has led on the development many major projects including the University Centre in Grimsby, the re-location of campuses in Scarborough and many more.

His roles have been many and varied but covered most aspects for an education and training organisation having lead on curriculum planning and resourcing for many years.

Being a product of further education himself he has an absolute passion for the way it can transform people lives.

David Bacon - Managing Director of Bacon Engineering

After graduating from the University of Manchester with a degree in Environmental Resource Geology, David went on to join the Royal Navy as a Logistics Officer. During his 12 years of service, he worked in a wide range of Navy and Tri-Service roles and environments. He became a Non-Executive Director of Bacon Engineering in early 2017 before becoming the Managing Director and 5th generation of his family to lead the business in late 2021.

Since his studies, David has been a strong supporter of renewable energy and his innovative and progressive approach is helping to make Bacon Engineering a valued part of the offshore renewables O&M supply chain.

Glenn Jensen - Senior Assistant - Ron Dearing UTC

Senior Assistant Principal at the UK’s no 1 employer led school, Ron Dearing UTC. Glenn leads the school’s employer engagement strategy, focusing on how education can support industry in growing the future talent pipeline for the Engineering, Computing and Creative sectors

Joe Booth - Director - Hobson & Porter

Joe is a board director of Hobson & Porter; an onshore construction contractor established in Hull in the 1970’s. Hobson & Porter work across multiple sectors to deliver building-based construction services to clients in both the public and private sector. Joe joined Hobson & Porter in 2016 and the business has successfully delivered more than £30m of building construction projects in the Humber region directly linked with the offshore wind industry, for clients including Orsted, RWE, HETA and the University of Hull. Prior to this, Joe worked in strategic management and business development roles for both the infrastructure and energy sectors, working for both engineering and construction-led organisations in sectors including Biomass, Energy from Waste, Rail and Structures. Joe has worked in the Humber region for almost two decades and is passionate about the positive economic impact the offshore wind sector has made, and continues to make to local people, businesses and organisations in the area.

Simon Matson - Head of Operations - XceCo Ltd

Simon has worked in the offshore wind industry for over 10 years with experience of working for a large utility owner operator and also a start up asset management company. During his career in the renewables industry, he has worked in various roles from Maintenance Engineer to his current role as the Head of Operations at XceCo.

XceCo Ltd is a specialist asset management company, maximising value for the portfolio of offshore wind farms on behalf of their ultimate owners. This year Simon will oversee many offshore projects, including Davit Crane retrofit and structural remediation works involving internal diving works.