Benj Sykes and Julian Brown to join board of leading innovation centre
The Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult has announced the appointment of two senior industrialists as Non-Executive Directors. Benj Sykes, Head of UK Market Development, Consenting and External Affairs at Orsted, and Julian Brown, former Vice President and Country Manager of MHI Vestas, will join the innovation centre’s board, effective from 1st June 2021.
Commenting on the appointments, ORE Catapult Chairman, Colin Hood, said, “The Offshore Wind industry lies at the heart of the UK’s drive for net zero and the levelling up agenda across the country. With ORE Catapult’s focus on driving innovation to realise the huge economic and job potential from this green revolution, the extensive, varied and unique industry experience that Benj and Julian together bring to our board will be invaluable to our future success and impact”.
Benj Sykes said, “The offshore wind industry has made huge strides in the UK in recent years but there is still lots more to do to secure both net zero and a green economic recovery throughout the country. ORE Catapult must continue to grow its leading role in driving innovation and growth to capture this opportunity, and I am excited to be able to join their board at such a critical time”.
Julian Brown said, “It’s great to be joining the Board of ORE Catapult. I have supported the development of the Catapult as a challenging friend since its inception. Joining the board, I am keen to encourage the team to even greater ambition, building on the great work already achieved.”
Following a maximum term of six years serving on the ORE Catapult board, Julia King, the Baroness Brown of Cambridge, has stepped down from her Non-Executive role.
Colin Hood commented, “I am immensely grateful for Baroness Brown’s considerable contribution to ORE Catapult over the years that she has sat on our board. During that time, she has been hugely influential in shaping the Catapult’s strategic direction and success, and her insight into industry, academia and policy have been invaluable”.
Baroness Brown said, “Over the past six years we have seen the cost of renewable energy tumbling, a sector deal between the offshore wind industry and Government, and binding commitments to achieving carbon reduction targets. It is great to be leaving the Catapult in such a strong position, and I look forward to seeing it continue to play a critical role in reaching the Government’s target of 40GW of offshore wind by 2030, with real economic and employment benefits throughout the country”.
About the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult
ORE Catapult was established in 2013 by the UK Government and is part of a network of Catapults set up by Innovate UK in high growth industries. It is the UK’s leading innovation centre for offshore renewable energy.
Independent and trusted, with a unique combination of world-leading test and demonstration facilities and engineering and research expertise, ORE Catapult convenes the sector and delivers applied research, accelerating technology development, reducing risk and cost and enhancing UK-wide economic growth.
Active throughout the UK, ORE Catapult has operations in Glasgow, Blyth, Levenmouth, Aberdeen, the Humber, the East of England, the South West and Wales and operates a collaborative research partnership in China. It has supported over a thousand UK SMEs and delivered more than 400 research projects.
ORE Catapult’s Board overseas its governance and strategic direction. Non-Executive Directors are recruited on a regular basis following industry best practice.
