The National Subsea Research Initiative (NSRI) has appointed Tony Laing as its new director of research and market acceleration.
Bringing more than 35 years’ experience, Mr Laing will be tasked with ensuring the UK’s subsea technology needs are understood and met within an increasingly diverse business environment and the associated complex innovation and funding landscape.
Mr Laing has been an independent consultant within the oil and gas industry since 2015, delivering strategic commercial projects for a range of technology and engineering service companies as well as academia.
Prior to this he was global director of integrated solutions at Schlumberger and OneSubsea, where he was responsible for the development and delivery of a new business model, integrating the field development offering of Schlumberger, Cameron and Framo Engineering. He also held positions within Marathon, Boreas (Atkins), Aker and smaller technology companies, where he played an integral role in many industry firsts, both in technology and product commercialisation.
Mr Laing is well known for supporting the wider industry, which includes being a fellow member of the Society of Underwater Technology and treasurer of the Aberdeen branch.
Based at Subsea UK in Westhill, Aberdeen, he will take over the reins from Dr Gordon Drummond who has returned to Subsea 7 following his three year secondment to NSRI.
Commenting on his appointment, Mr Laing said: “NSRI has a major role to play as a knowledge hub for subsea research and development, not only within oil and gas but across the wider offshore renewable energy sectors including marine and ocean science. I believe I can apply my knowledge and experience to build upon the fantastic work that has been delivered to date, promoting technological innovation and ensuring the industry needs are met. I look forward to working with businesses, technology developers, universities and academics as they look for support in bringing new innovations to market that can push the UK energy industry forward for years to come.”
As the subsea focused technology research partner organisation of Subsea UK, NSRI is supported by companies, including Total, Shell, BP, Subsea 7, Wood and Scottish Enterprise. The organisation plays a key role in communicating the needs of the industry to the supply chain, encouraging market-led development of technology.
Chairman of NSRI, Peter Blake said, “Many know Tony within the oil and gas sector, with his extensive experience and lateral creative thinking I believe he will take the robust foundation of NSRI and build upon it within the next phase. There is considerable challenge driving subsea technology and commercialisation to ensure the UK remains a preeminent hub within the global industry. The excellent work done by Gordon Drummond established NSRI as the focal point for subsea research and development. I look forward in continuing this work with Tony and I’m sure many others throughout the sector will too”
Chief executive of Subsea UK, Neil Gordon said: “With extensive subsea experience in developing and deploying technology and an understanding of the innovation landscape involved in such work, I believe Tony will help to drive NSRI forward while ensuring the technology needs of subsea end users are recognised and progressed.”
Working collaboratively with other organisations to align industry, academia and government; NSRI aims to lead on the drive to identify and support the commercialisation of technology that will deliver significant economic gains across the sector, and in turn advance the export of UK subsea technology.
