Energy industry stalwart Sian Lloyd Rees has joined the board of the Net Zero Technology Centre (NZTC).
Ms Rees, the UK managing director of Aker Offshore Wind and the sector’s “supply chain champion”, will work with NZTC chief executive Colette Cohen and chairman Martin Gilbert to set the centre’s strategic direction.
‘Great track record’
Ms Rees said: “The centre has a great track record of delivering technology innovations that are shaping our future energy industry, and I am excited to have the opportunity to contribute towards defining its future strategic direction.”
In a career spanning over 25 years, Ms Rees has extensive business experience as a senior leader in the energy and IT industry.
She has held several leadership roles in blue-chip and start-up companies.
Sian Lloyd Rees of @akersolutions discusses the similarity between topsides and floating offshore wind and the transferable skills in these sectors #netzero pic.twitter.com/IixeMRtfUw
— Net Zero Technology Centre (@netzero_tc) September 3, 2019
She is vice co-chairwoman of the board of industry body Offshore Energies UK and last year was named the industry’s supply chain champion for delivering the North Sea Transition Deal, signed with government.
Ms Rees also sits on the board of the Aberdeen Energy Transition Zone and is a member of the steering group for the DeepWind Cluster, representing firms in the Scottish offshore wind supply chain.
“Her wealth of experience in leading organisations and driving innovation will bring invaluable wisdom and insight to the centre as we continue to support the energy industry in decarbonising and diversifying to deliver a net-zero future,” Ms Cohen said.
All change at the top at CNR International
Meanwhile, a senior figure at North Sea operator CNR International has decided to call time on his career.
David Whitehouse, the company’s managing director and vice-president of development operations, has announced his retirement after two decades with CNR.
He has been replaced by Barry Duncan, who is now in the roles of MD and vice-president for finance.
Mr Duncan was previously vice-president and finance director at the oil and gas firm.
Another leading energy industry figure with a new role is Brenda Wyllie.
Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (Stem) education charity TechFest has appointed her as its new chairwoman.
Ms Wyllie, northern North Sea and west of Shetland area manager for the North Sea Transition Authority, takes over from energy journalist Jeremy Cresswell in the role.
“This is an exciting time to join the TechFest board,” Ms Wyllie said, adding: “The organisation is extremely passionate about what it does and we have already started to strategise how we can maximise its activity.”
Alongside a year-round programme of education events, TechFest also runs Aberdeen and North-east Scotland’s annual festival of Stem.
‘I was in awe of the ambition and mission’
Ms Wyllie said: “From the moment I took my kids to a TechFest summer festival, I was in awe of the ambition and mission.
“The hands-on experiments encourage young people to embrace Stem subjects, completely aligned with my parenting ethos.
“It is amazing to see how young people understand the basic principles far more when they are allowed to have fun.
“TechFest truly provides STEM accessibility to all ages and I am excited to play a part in it.”
Conversation