Guy Arnold serves as the Deputy Director of Supply Chain at Great British Energy, the UK’s publicly backed clean energy investment company. In this role, Guy supports Rob Gilbert (Director) in developing and delivering a national supply chain strategy to support the UK’s energy transition. Guy’s role also includes responsibility for GBE’s Supply Chain Grant fund for offshore wind and networks as well as the design and delivery of all its competed and concessional funding for the supply chain.
Guy brings just under a decade of experience in government helping successive ministers navigate high-profile policy challenges as well as designing and delivering major funding programmes. Through his work at the Cabinet Office and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero he has worked with industry, policymakers, and regulators to address national supply chain bottlenecks and accelerate clean energy delivery.
In Guy and Rob, who has over a decade of experience helping companies navigate supply chain bottlenecks, the senior leadership of GBE’s supply chain team replicates GBE’s position as a bridge between the private and public sector. Together, they are focused on ensuring Great British Energy supply chain activity builds the UK’s industrial capabilities, while delivering on the country’s net-zero ambitions.
Nicky Marr is a writer and presenter, event host and life coach, based in Inverness and working all over Scotland.
As a conference host she is in demand across numerous sectors, from construction and energy, to food and drink, the rural economy, women in business and energy. She’s a Humanist Celebrant too, working closely with couples and families to create joyful wedding ceremonies and meaningful final farewells.
Away from work you’ll find her out on the road in her van, exploring undiscovered parts of Scotland, France, or Spain, or knee-deep in the soil, battling with slugs and pigeons to keep the meagre crops on her allotment alive.
Stephen Emerson is the Scotland Editor for Insider Media, sister publication to The Scotsman. With more than 20 years’ experience in journalism, he leads coverage of Scotland’s corporate finance, property, and innovation sectors, with a growing focus on the green economy.
Stephen has spearheaded features and events exploring investment, sustainability and skills development across Scotland, bringing together leaders from business, government, and education to share insights on the country’s transition to net zero.
Before joining Insider Media, he held senior editorial roles at national and regional publications, he was previously The Scotsman’s Head of Digital and Managing Editor for The Business Magazine.
Passionate about showcasing the people and ideas driving sustainable growth, Stephen regularly interviews entrepreneurs and policymakers to highlight the opportunities emerging from Scotland’s low-carbon transition.
Christianna Logan is the Director of Customers and Stakeholders at SSEN Transmission, one of the world’s fastest‑growing electricity network companies and part of SSE plc, a FTSE 100 energy company.
Christianna has over 18 years’ experience across SSE, holding a range of roles spanning strategy, business development, sustainability and innovation, across both market‑based and regulated parts of the energy industry.
In her executive role, Christianna has collective accountability for the delivery of over £29bn of investment in major capital projects and management of SSEN Transmission’s critical national infrastructure assets. Christianna and her team build the stakeholder relationships that will enable delivery of this investment, manage contracts to connect large‑scale low‑carbon energy projects to the GB network, and advocate for a policy environment that supports government and societal ambitions while creating enduring benefits for the communities hosting this infrastructure.
Christianna also chairs SSEN Transmission’s Digital Subcommittee and champions the digitalisation of the organisation, including the ethical adoption of artificial intelligence.
Greg is SSEN Transmission’s Head of Corporate Affairs, responsible for managing Public Affairs and Policy, External Communications and Brand for SSEN Transmission.
Greg joined SSE in 2005, starting his career in the call centre for SSE’s Retail business, before joining Corporate Affairs in 2010 where he has held a variety of roles including Scottish Public Affairs Manager for the SSE Group and Head of External Relations for SSE’s Distribution and Transmission networks.
Maggie Cunningham is Chair of Kyle and Lochalsh Community Development Trust; Chair of An Comunn Gaidhealach, which runs The Royal National Mòd, the major annual Gaelic Festival; Co-chair of The Highland Poverty Commission which reports in the middle of June; and a director of Highland CIC.
She worked as a senior editorial leader in the BBC for over 20 years and was part of its award winning coaching and leadership network during that time. She was a founding Board member of Sistema Scotland from 2006 to 2019.
She left the BBC in 2009 to follow a freelance career in leadership consultation, facilitation and executive coaching. She is now retired and uses her experience and skills in a voluntary capacity.
Cris Thacker is the Communications Manager at Fred. Olsen Renewables, looking after communications, stakeholder engagement and media relations across the UK.
A big supporter of renewable energy — and a former Highlands resident — Cris grabs any chance to return north for work, family or holidays (not necessarily in that order). He focuses on keeping messaging clear, straightforward and helpful, making it easier to support projects and build strong relationships with local communities and partners.
Yvonne Crook is a force in sustainable development. As a founding member and Chair of Highland CIC, which comprises Highland Tourism and Highland Renewables, Yvonne is committed to a vision and collaboration that transforms the Highlands into a global leader in sustainable development. With a career spanning over 30 years in destination development, her expertise has left a mark on tourism in the Highlands, the UK, and Europe.
Yvonne’s outlook is driven by her belief in the Highlands' untapped potential as a beacon of sustainability. Throughout her career, she has spearheaded critical branding and repositioning efforts that have changed perceptions and markets.
Councillor Raymond Bremner has served as an Elected Member for Ward 3, Wick and East Caithness since 2017 and is currently Leader of The Highland Council as well as Leader of the Scottish National Party Group within the Council. His wider roles include membership of the Convention of the Highlands and Islands (COHI) and the Scottish Cities Alliance Leadership Group. Through these positions, Councillor Bremner plays an active role in helping to shape strategic development in the Highland area and representing Highland interests at a national level.
Before entering local government, Councillor Bremner held senior management positions in the private sector, including senior management roles within the production and manufacturing industry. Councillor Bremner also served as a Director of the Caithness Chamber of Commerce. He studied Business Management at Thurso College, now part of the University of Highlands and Islands (UHI North, West and Hebrides) and is a fluent Gaelic speaker with a strong commitment to culture and community life. His community involvement includes serving as a Trustee of Thrumster Community Development Association, the Flow Country, and is Chair of several Gaelic and cultural organisations. Outside his professional life, he is an accomplished musician, choir music director, keen gardener, and has a longstanding interest in Scottish and Caithness local history.”
I’m Deputy Director in Mission Control at DESNZ, leading delivery of the Clean Power 2030 Action Plan – our roadmap to a clean power system by 2030. That means driving deployment of renewables like wind and solar, boosting energy storage, consumer-led flexibility and upgrading the grid. I work across DESNZ and other departments to remove barriers and keep progress on track.
I bring over 18 years in the energy sector, covering policy, projects and programmes. Before my DESNZ role, I led Scotland’s draft Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan, shaped Scottish Governments wholesale market reform work, and played a key role in the delivery of the Scottish Governments Heat in Buildings Strategy and £1.8bn Low Carbon Heat programme.
I’ve also worked on community energy schemes, microgrid research and international collaborations, including Community Energy Malawi. I hold a BSc in Medical Microbiology, an MSc in Environmental Protection and Management from the University of Edinburgh and a PG in Renewables from the University of East London.
Callum Mackintosh is a local entrepreneur, plant hirer, and co-founder of Highlands & Islands Skills CIC, a community interest company set on establishing the National Infrastructure Skills Centre in Inverness. Passionate about innovation, workforce development, and the Highlands place in Scotland’s future, he champions practical solutions, industry collaboration, and regional growth through leadership, training, and forward-thinking initiatives.
Hayley Strachan heads Deloitte’s Global Employer Services practice in Scotland, where she helps employers engage, deploy, and retain their workforce on an international scale. With more than 17 years of experience collaborating with businesses in the energy sector, she brings deep expertise in global tax, payroll, and immigration compliance. In addition, Hayley offers strategic guidance on workforce management, ensuring organisations develop robust policies and strategies to optimise their global people operations.
Iain Sinclair is Chief Strategy Officer at Maraen, bringing more than two decades of leadership across energy supply chains. Has held executive roles spanning ports, manufacturing, engineering, construction, fabrication and energy services.
Iain led the Port of Nigg’s transformation into a leading offshore renewables hub, delivering critical infrastructure and innovative supply chain solutions for major projects. At Maraen, he drives portfoliowide growth initiatives, major investment programmes and as a recognised industry leader, strengthens alignment and engagement across the energy sector.
Iain is a Non-Executive Director at both Renewable UK, OWGP, Mocean Energy and Chair’s the Scottish Offshore Wind Ports Alliance
Malcolm is the Assistant Chief Executive for Highland Council responsible for Place. His responsibilities cover Property and Assets; Planning and Economic Development; Facilities and Fleet Management; Housing and Communities and Operations and Maintenance.
Recently, he has been responsible for driving forward significant economic development and transformational projects such as the Green Freeport, the £315m Highland City Region Deal (including Inverness Castle project), the Council’s in-house bus operations and its continued expansion, the Corran Ferry Replacement Programme, Active Travel and Bus Partnership schemes and the Levelling Up Fund project delivery.
Malcolm is a graduate of Glasgow University (MA Geography Hons, 1993), and Strathclyde University (MSc Urban and Regional Planning 1995). Originally from Stornoway in the Western Isles, he started his career with Kyle and Carrick District Council in 1995, before going on to work with East Ayrshire Council as part of the Ayrshire Joint Structure Plan team. He was appointed as a Planner at the Highland Council in November 1998 and has worked in several roles including Development Plans Manager, Head of Planning and Environment, the Council’s Lead on Organisational Redesign and Executive Chief Officer for Infrastructure, Environment and Economy before assuming his current role in May 2024.
Alison Wilson is Interim Managing Director of Inverness & Cromarty Firth Green Freeport, where she is leading work to help secure investment, jobs, and industrial growth linked to offshore wind and the wider energy transition in the Highlands. She works with international investors, developers, and supply chain partners to attract large-scale investment into the Highlands, while supporting local business growth and regional development. With over 30 years’ experience across the public, private, and third sectors, Alison has a strong track record in economic and business development.
Alison is Highland Chair of the Institute of Directors and a Director of New Start Highland, a charity and social enterprise supporting people facing homelessness, poverty, and long-term unemployment in the Highlands.
Based in Orkney, EMEC is a not-for-profit innovation catalyst pioneering the transition to a clean energy future. EMEC is the world’s leading centre for testing wave and tidal energy converters in the sea and over the last 20 years has hosted more technologies than anywhere else in the world. EMEC also operates an R&D ecosystem integrating renewables with hydrogen and batteries – reducing the time, cost and risk of integrating new technologies into the future energy system.
After studying law Eileen worked in local government policy, until her enthusiasm for sustainable community development led her to join EMEC in August 2009. In her time at EMEC, she has worked with a huge range of technology companies large and small worldwide. As Corporate Affairs Director, the market intelligence gained from this breadth of experience directly feeds her role. This includes stakeholder engagement and industry lobbying activities, as the Centre has become a global focal point for low carbon innovation, involved in R&D projects with a total value of £538m.
Mike is Commercial Director of RIDG, a Scottish offshore wind developer, and a Director of the West of Orkney Windfarm, within which RIDG are the originating shareholders. Over the past 23 years, across both the public and private sector, Mike has led and contributed to a series of high profile, industry-enabling projects that have helped make the UK the world leader in offshore wind it is today. This includes leading the industry position on Round 3 at Renewable UK, designing and delivering the Offshore Wind Accelerator at the Carbon Trust, winning and developing the Hornsea Zone at Mainstream Renewable Power and delivering the UK Government’s supply chain objectives as a Sector Specialist at the Department for International Trade.
He holds an MA(Hons) from the University of Aberdeen, an MSc from Imperial College London and is an APM qualified project manager.
Specialising in workforce development, skills transformation, and strategic project management, Mark plays a pivotal role in shaping the future for the UK energy workforce, driving industry towards an equitable and sustainable transition to a net-zero economy.
With a deep understanding of the energy industry’s evolving skills landscape, Mark has 15 years’ experience, focusing on people development, training and required competencies. Mark leads a program of work aimed at fostering a workforce capable of meeting the demands of the energy transition. His work focuses on creating pathways for cross-skilling workers, promoting diversity and inclusion, and ensuring the energy industry remains a source of high-quality employment opportunities.
Stephen Sheridan, Director of Economic Development and Advancement, UHI, is an experienced leader in economic development, with over two decades in senior management within education and skills sectors. His career is marked by a commitment to fostering robust partnerships among industry, academia and government, particularly within the Highlands and Islands.
Claire Sim is Regional Skills Planning Lead for the Highlands and Islands at Skills Development Scotland and Project Lead for Workforce North. She supports place‑based activity, working with local authorities, employers and partners to align skills investment, support economic growth and deliver collaborative workforce solutions.
Originally from Orkney, Claire is currently based in Inverness.
For the last 15 years Chris Bruce has chaired East Lammermuir Community Council, the home of Torness Nuclear Power Station, seven onshore Windfarms and now seeing onshore works associated with EGL1 and Berwick Bank Windfarm. A retired nurse, he has had to learn quickly about the energy industry as the local area comes to terms with its National significance all over again. Chris is keen to see greater devolution of real decision making at local level, supported by a lively democratic debate on the issues that matter to local people.
Kiera started her renewables journey in 2021 through a graduate apprenticeship with aes renewables, quickly building a standout career in engineering. A first-class honours graduate, she designs PV systems, manages grid applications, supports maintenance teams, and champions STEM locally. She was recently named Supporting Net Zero Apprentice of the Year 2026.
Cath Curd has been with Community Energy Scotland for seven years, coming from a long standing role at the Knoydart Foundation where she was part of a team serving a population of 120 people who manage their community owned off-grid 300kW hydro scheme.
Key to her current role is cultivating the engagement between Community Energy Scotland’s members and the wider sector. Cath also helps deliver the Energy Learning Network, a UK wide partnership delivering resources to communities to help them increase their capacity to develop energy work.
