Do you have a passion for improving competitiveness of the UK supply chains? Would you like to play a crucial role in developing the UK’s offshore wind sector?
Offshore Wind Growth Partnership is recruiting independent directors to join its Board from 1 July 2023. The new members will have an exciting mandate to take OWGP to its next phase of growth.
Why Offshore Wind?
Offshore wind will be the backbone of a clean, reliable, affordable energy system in the UK. In 2022, British Energy Security Strategy set an ambition to deliver an almost four-fold increase in offshore wind generation capacity to 50 GW by 2030; the associated industry expenditure is estimated as £155 billion. Globally, 130 GW of new capacity is forecast to be added between 2023 and 2027 – an average year-on-year capacity growth rate of 25%.
Offshore wind provides exciting growth opportunities for UK supply chain companies within the domestic market and overseas. In addition to generating economic value and skilled jobs, growing UK’s leading position in offshore wind further will ensure energy security, and enable UK to decarbonise its power system by 2035.
Offshore Wind Growth Partnership
OWGP was established in 2019 to:
- support the growth of the offshore wind supply chain in the United Kingdom
- deliver increased supply chain productivity, competitiveness and export capability
- facilitate new innovations and development of intellectual property
- encourage UK-Based businesses with transferable capabilities to enter the offshore wind sector
- cooperate with other key stakeholders to advance cross-sector engagement
- promote greater collaboration in the offshore wind sector within the UK and worldwide
OWGP’s core funding is provided by private offshore wind developers, represented through Offshore Wind Industry Council (OWIC).
OWGP’s supply chain growth programme has a headline size of £100 million over ten years. Since its inception, OWGP has allocated approximately £15 million to over 200 projects. Our supported companies are working towards their 2030 ambitions, which add up to more than £3 billion in increased turnover and 8,500 additional jobs.
Against the backdrop of unprecedented demand growth in Europe, the USA and elsewhere, and already stretched global supply chains, OWGP is preparing to enhance and expand its flagship Sector Deal implementation programme to support the next stage of UK’s offshore wind growth plan. OWGP promotes collaboration within the industry and works closely with a large number of stakeholders such as industry (developers and supply chain), government (including devolved administrations), OWIC, SOWEC, DESNZ, DBT, TCE, CES, trade bodies and others e.g., local enterprise partnerships, offshore wind clusters and regional agencies.
Governance
OWGP is set up as an independent, not-for-profit company limited by guarantee. The Board is responsible for review and approval of the work programme and budgets proposed by the Programme Director, and generally overseeing that the OWGP activities are performed in accordance with its plans and objectives.
The current Board composition is as follows:
- 4 independent directors
- 1 director appointed by ORE Catapult
- 1 director appointed by RenewableUK
- 1 OWGP Programme Director (executive member – leads the OWGP delivery team)
In addition to the above members, a representative from Offshore Wind Industry Council (OWIC) and a representative from OWIC OWGP Reference Group may attend Board meetings as observers.
Board members are appointed for a three-year term with a possibility of an extension of up to three further years at the discretion of the Board. This advert is for two independent directors to replace outgoing Board members.
The Role
The Board members will have an opportunity to shape the next phase of OWGP’s growth journey. As part of the role, the independent directors will be expected to:
- review the strategy set out by the OWGP management team,
- support the Programme Director and OWGP staff to ensure effective delivery,
- provide financial oversight,
- monitor programme performance,
- occasionally attend OWGP events and supplier visits, and
- act as an ambassador for OWGP and maintain relationships with key stakeholders.
Requirements
We are looking for candidates with experience relevant to supply chain growth and a passion to improve UK’s competitiveness in the global offshore wind market.
Eligible candidates are expected to demonstrate:
- Senior management experience
- A proven track record of sucessful leadership and governance
- An ability to develop strategic relationships with industry and government
- Strong understanding of enterprise support landscape
We recognise that each candidate will have a unique set of skills and experiences and can contribute to OWGP in different ways. Below, we have included a non-exclusive list of skills eligible candidates may possess:
- Offshore wind sector knowledge
- Manufacturing and technology sector knowledge
- Economic development, business advisory and funding programme leadership
- Supply chain development and productivity improvement in a major industrial sector e.g. aerospace, automotive, oil and gas
- Innovation and product development for export markets
- Investment (angel investment, venture capital, private equity) or business incubator expertise
We are looking for candidates who do not have conflicts of interest in terms of potential to benefit from OWGP support. Employees of companies that are members of the Offshore Wind Industry Council (OWIC) are not eligible because of potential conflicts of interest. Employees of government organisations that are connected to the offshore wind sector are also not eligible to avoid subsidy control implications.
OWGP values Diversity and Inclusion in the workplace. We believe diversity of our people is key to getting a range of ideas, points of view and different perspectives that ultimately ensures our success as an organisation. In addition to the skills listed above, the Nominations Committee will assess how each proposed candidate may enhance the current mix of skills and backgrounds present in the OWGP Board.
Remuneration and time commitment
Approximately 2 days per quarter which includes attendance at five board meetings held at various locations across the UK. Remuneration will be £8,000 per year plus travel expenses.
How to apply
Please send your CV and a covering letter of no more than two pages outlining how you meet the key elements of the role specification to lynne.mcintosh-grieve@owgp.org.uk by 29th May 2023.