- Tim Pick, who recently served as the UK’s first Offshore Wind Champion
- Isobel Sheldon OBE, Trustee of The Faraday Institution
- Professor Simon Weeks, former Chief Technology Officer at the Aerospace Technology Institute
6 July 2023
The Offshore Wind Growth Partnership (OWGP) has today (Thursday) appointed three new non-executive directors to its Board to help guide its £100 million offshore wind supply chain development programme in the UK.
The new board members – Tim Pick, Isobel Sheldon OBE and Professor Simon Weeks – bring decades of experience across several strategically important sectors including offshore wind, energy, battery research and development, electric vehicles, and aerospace. Current OWGP Board Chair Martin Whitmarsh and Director Stephen Burgin will retire from the Board at the end of July.
OWGP Programme Director Anil Sayhan said: “We are immensely grateful to Martin and Stephen for their guidance over the last four years. Under their leadership, OWGP has established itself as the UK’s flagship growth funding and business support organisation dedicated to offshore wind. I also would like to congratulate Tim, Isobel and Simon on their appointments as we get ready to take OWGP to its next phase of growth.”
Tim Pick, outgoing Offshore Wind Champion, said: “Since my former role as Offshore Wind Champion, I’ve become a passionate advocate for the offshore wind sector as it continues its evolution from a niche activity to a core component of the UK’s future energy system. I’m excited to help unlock the opportunities of this high-growth sector for UK supply chain companies, who are well-placed to make the most of our engineering and industrial heritage right across the country.”
Isobel Sheldon OBE said: “I’ve been passionate about climate and sustainability from a very young age, having devoted much of my career to helping UK Companies use green electrons to power transportation. I’m very excited to apply my business development experience to help bring new players into the supply of green electrons through offshore wind, an area the UK can lead the way in.”
Professor Simon Weeks said: “Having been involved in the UK’s strategically important aerospace sector for many years, I’m delighted to help the UK take its next steps in the development of offshore wind. I’m excited to help the UK to take full advantage of the opportunities ahead, ensuring UK expertise, companies and communities can benefit from the growth of this clean energy source.”
Since its inception in 2019, OWGP has allocated approximately £15 million to over 200 projects. OWGP’s supported companies are working towards their 2030 ambitions, which add up to more than £3 billion in increased turnover and 8,500 additional jobs.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
Tim Pick is a seasoned energy projects professional with more than 25 years experience in major international law firms advising on the development and financing of some of the largest and most complex energy projects. He was recently appointed to serve as the UK’s first Offshore Wind Champion, co-chairing the Offshore Wind Acceleration Taskforce (OWAT) established by the British Energy Security Strategy. Tim is a passionate advocate for the offshore wind sector as it continues its evolution from a niche activity to a core component of the UK’s future energy system.
Isobel Sheldon OBE brings 20 years of experience in battery technology, and was awarded an OBE in 2020 for her services to the development of batteries for electric vehicles. She is currently on the Board of Trustees for the Faraday Institution, with former roles at Johnson Matthey, Ricardo, as well as running her own business. Isobel is passionate about both Net Zero and business development – with much of her career dedicated to helping established and growing organisations to pursue the electrification of transport.
Professor Simon Weeks was the Chief Technology Officer for the Aerospace Technology Institute, accountable for technical direction of the UK’s national aerospace technology strategy and £5 billion programme. Simon is a Visiting Professor in Engineering Science at Oxford University, a chartered engineer and a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society and Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership.
Irene MacKinnon, PR Manager, 07563 393412, irene.mackinnon@ore.catapult.org.uk
The Offshore Wind Growth Partnership (OWGP) is a long-term business transformation programme that has been established as part of the UK Offshore Wind Sector Deal. It will promote closer collaboration across the supply chain, implement structured productivity improvement programmes and facilitate shared growth opportunities between developers and the supply chain.
Over the next ten years delivery will focus on direct support to supply chain companies through a combination of strategic capability assessments, advisory services and grant funding. Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult will manage the delivery of OWGP with support from specialist delivery partners.
OWGP plays a key role in delivery of the Offshore Wind Sector Deal and is funded by members of the Offshore Wind Industry Council (OWIC), with a budget of £100m over ten years. The programme supports the growth of UK businesses looking to capitalise on the huge opportunities offered by the global offshore wind sector.
Over 1200 companies have now registered an interest with OWGP programmes to date. For more information and to apply, visit: https://owgp.org.uk/about/funding-opportunities
The Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult
ORE Catapult is the UK’s leading innovation centre for offshore renewable energy, established in 2013 by the UK Government as part of a network of Catapults set up by Innovate UK in high growth industries.
In 2023, we are celebrating 10 years of combining world-leading test and demonstration facilities with engineering and research expertise to accelerate technology development, reduce costs, and enhance economic growth across the UK. Find out more at https://ore.catapult.org.uk/10-year/
ORE Catapult operates in Glasgow, Blyth, Levenmouth, Aberdeen, the Humber, the East of England, the South West and Wales, and operates a collaborative research partnership in China.
About the Offshore Wind Industry Council (OWIC)
The Offshore Wind Industry Council (OWIC) is a senior Government and industry forum, OWIC established in 2013 to drive the development of the world-leading offshore wind sector in the UK.