Andrew is the primary point of contact for Energy related research and commercial engagement at the University of Edinburgh. He helps develop Energy collaborative relationships and projects across the University in areas including; Energy Network System Integration, Energy Storage, Hydrogen, CCS, CCU, Net Zero, Techno-economic analysis, Energy Policy, Energy Efficiency, Wave & Tidal Energy, Floating Wind & Solar, Wind Energy and Skills. Andrew has undertaken assessments on the number of jobs / roles that SCOTWIND / Offshore Wind will generate for the Scottish economy and has developed analysis that identifies the size of the skills gap that Scotland needs to bridge, if it is going to be able to build out the all the currently proposed Offshore Wind projects. In addition, Andrew is Co-Chair of the For the Green Freeport Skills and Fair Work Group where he authored the FGF Skills Plan including analysis of the training provision in the Forth area and the skills gap between provision and demand. He has also supported the SOWEC (Scottish Offshore Wind Energy Council) Skills Committee, and the Scottish Government Short Working Life Group on Offshore Wind Skills. Through these roles he has assessed course provision and education pathways, work with sector partners undertaking analysis and developing up and reskilling course options, initiatives designed to close the skills gap and social media campaign. Andrew has led a working group in the University identifying opportunities to develop micro credentials and short course which could help people transition into Offshore Wind and other Clean Energy jobs.
Alasdair is Managing Director of AFS Technologies, an ECITB Approved Training Provider and the UK’s leading centre for Connected Competence technical testing. With more than three decades of experience in the energy sector, he has held senior leadership roles spanning operations, business development, training, and workforce competency. Alasdair is the Technical Author of the latest edition of the Energy Institute Guidelines for the Design, Installation and Management of Small Bore Tubing Assemblies, a key industry reference shaping best practice across sectors. Under his direction, AFS Technologies has been recognised with the ECITB Training Organisation of the Year award three times since 2014, reflecting a sustained commitment to excellence in skills development. Alasdair continues to work closely with the Energy Institute, ECITB, and cross-sector partners to develop robust competency standards that support a safe, agile, and energy-transition-ready workforce. His leadership emphasises innovation, quality, and strong collaboration between industry and education.
Senior investment professional at the Scottish National Investment Bank, where he focuses on accelerating Scotland’s transition to net zero through strategic, high-impact investments. Ross has extensive experience across energy, infrastructure, and financial services, including significant exposure to the oil and gas sector. His career has spanned corporate and advisory roles, with a focus on M&A, capital allocation, and business transformation. Ross is passionate about supporting businesses to adapt and thrive in a low-carbon economy, leveraging his financial and strategic expertise to drive sustainable growth. Ross is a Chartered Accountant and holds an LLB (Hons) degree in Law from the University of Glasgow.
Murray Whittaker is currently Director of Projects at Whittaker Engineering Ltd, he started at Whittaker in 2011. Murray started his career at RollsWoodGroup (RWG) as an apprentice gas turbine engine technician. As
part of the apprenticeship, he completed his HND in mechanical engineering, as well as HNC in Electrical engineering. He then moved to an independent Rolls-Royce gas turbine company and worked as a field
service rep travelling and working both offshore in the UKCS and internationally, in countries such as Saudi Arabia, UAE, USA, Canada and many European countries. He then became workshop foreman, before
progressing to a Project Engineering position. Murray is the second generation of his family now working in the Energy sector, with 25 years’ experience and after joining Whittaker in 2011 he became a project engineer, before progressing to Director of Projects, looking after the UK business and operations in Mexico. Murray now has mainly a client facing role, using his practical field experience to help run major projects for Whittaker in line with the client requirements. He balances his time between the UK business and the operation in CD Del Carmen Mexico. Murray was awarded a “Global-Scot” title in 2018.
Kenny Hay is a Chartered Mechanical Engineer (MIMechE), senior O&M consultant, and project manager with over 22 years of experience spanning oil & gas, renewables, and hydrogen/PtX sectors. As a specialist in Energy Transition at Wood, Kenny provides strategic advisory across offshore wind and hydrogen/PtX projects. He also supports the diversification of Wood’s Operations service line into these emerging markets, helping shape the company’s growth in the UK’s evolving energy landscape.
Dr Philippa Parmiter is a strategic leader, dedicated to action on climate, and CEO of NECCUS, the industrial decarbonisation alliance for Scotland with the objective of achieving a thriving Scotland through decarbonisation. Previous roles include Development Manager (Gas Storage & Pipelines) at Crown Estate Scotland, and running the research consortium for CCS in Scotland, SCCS, for over ten years, delivering policy analysis, knowledge exchange, and business development. Philippa is a Chartered Engineer with a PhD in Physical Electronics and a MSc in Environmental Protection and Management and has worked for government, academia, an environmental consultancy and for an electronics start-up.
Before joining RGU, Sarah worked for a number of public sector organisations focussed on supporting the energy sector both in the UK and internationally. Sarah’s role at RGU has recently changed and includes developing strategic partnerships for the University with businesses, governments and other academic institutions both nationally and internationally. Sarah used to have responsibility for the team that recruited the University’s Graduate Apprenticeship places and co-ordinating the delivery of the University’s Upskilling portfolio. Sarah has represented RGU on the National Energy Skills Accelerator (NESA) Board for the past two years, having previously been on the Delivery Group.
Dr Alf Martinez-Felipe joined the University of Aberdeen in 2014, and is senior lecturer in chemical engineering since 2021. He has published over 60 peer-reviewed research papers with an h-index of 27, and over 2200 citations. Dr Martinez-Felipe is also a director at the Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group, with over 260 members driving the energy transition in the North-East of Scotland. He sits at the steering committees of the Energy Task force belonging to the European Space Agency, and the Energy Transition Zone’s Green Hydrogen Test and Demonstration Facilities. He is also secretary of the British Liquid Crystal Society, was observer at the COP29 conference for climate change held in Baku last year, and represented the University of Aberdeen at CERAWeek in Houston, earlier in 2025. He will shortly join as a fellow for the NATO’s Energy Security Centre of Excellence. Dr Martinez-Felipe is coordinator of two flagship MSc programmes in Aberdeen on Energy Transition Systems & Technologies, and Decommissioning, and he has been appointed as external evaluator for various universities in the UK and Europe. He is the principal investigator for the MHYSTIC project to repurpose infrastructure for hydrogen transport, and the lead at the University of Aberdeen for the THI2STLE small hydrogen valley, awarded by the European Union.
I have worked in education since 2007, after returning to university to complete a postgraduate degree in Secondary Teaching with Physical Education at 25. Following my probation year in the central belt I moved to Aberdeenshire to secure a permanent teaching post as Teacher of Physical Education at Fraserburgh Academy. In eight years at Fraserburgh Academy I worked as Teacher of Physical Education, Principal Teacher Faculty, and then Acting Depute Head with the remit for raising attainment. I moved to Mintlaw Academy in 2015 to take post as Depute Head Pastoral Care, before becoming job share Acting Head Teacher for two years. I moved to Peterhead Academy in August 2022 to take up post as Head Teacher in the town in which I live and am raising my family. In my almost 20 years living and teaching in the north east corner of Aberdeenshire I have learned a great deal about the people, communities, and the industries that thrive here. My very different roles, at three different schools, in three different north east communities helped me understand the aspects that must be taken into consideration when planning to effectively educate and prepare our young people for a prosperous future in and around where they live. The north east of Scotland is, and can continue to be, a self-sustaining economy with wonderful job opportunities with sector-leading organisations for our young people after they leave school. I believe it is vitally important that industry and schools (education as whole) work together to produce a future talent pipeline of young people, making sure they understand the wealth of opportunities on their doorstep, growing our economy in the north east and enhancing the standard of living for everyone living here. At Peterhead Academy we are changing how we deliver the curriculum, developing learning partnerships with local and national businesses, as well as Further and Higher Education establishments operating in our area, who can help us contextualise our curriculum to more effectively engage our young people in their learning and expose them to the careers available to them early enough that they provide the workforce of the future for all the organisations operating in north east Scotland and beyond.
David Reid is the Co-founder of Powering Futures. A former Vice-President of global professional services company Jacobs, David decided 35 years ago to spend time on roles which allows him to focus on opportunities which ‘ignite his passion’. This culminated in co-founding Powering Futures, an organisation which engages the next generation to create a pipeline of talent for organisations transitioning to Net Zero. Powering Futures prepares the workforce of the future for the jobs of the future.
An award-winning communications specialist and former BBC health correspondent, Eleanor Bradford has extensive experience advising Scottish brands in her role as Head of Corporate Communications for Muckle Media Group. She works with a diverse range of clients in the energy, food and drink, transport, education and health sectors. As well as her consulting work, Eleanor shares her insights as a media training expert and is a non-executive director on the boards of two local organisations.
Jenny has a proven background within strategic skills planning with a particular passion for supporting the Just Transition agenda within the UK. Currently employed as UK Skills Lead within the Shell UK Social Investment team, where her current focus of work is within the strategic development of skills interventions towards the delivery of the UK Social Investment strategy to help 15,000 people into jobs with a focus on the energy transition by 2035. Jenny is also Board Member of DYW North East and a former MCR Pathways Mentor. Prior to this, Jenny worked within the national government skills body Skills Development Scotland, gaining a broad range of experience in areas of green skills and just transition planning as well as sector development activities for the Energy sector.
Stewart McKinlay MEng (Manufacturing Sciences and Engineering) combines almost 40 years of industrial experience with SMEs and international manufacturers along with significant expertise in the education, training, and skills arena with employers, providers in FE/HE and private training providers. Before becoming NMIS Skills Director, Stewart was Associate Director with the Engineering Academy at the University of Strathclyde with an industry engagement remit and was one of a small team that developed the Engineering Graduate Apprenticeship programme. Stewart previously worked offshore in O&G and then with Semta and currently co-chairs the Skills Group for Making Scotland's Future and is a key driver in the HVMC Skills and Workforce Development Group. He is Chair of Equate Scotland’s Steering Board, Space Scotland’s Skills Group, and SOWEC’s Skills Group. Stewart is also the CEDEFOP community of apprenticeship experts for Scotland.
"Inspiring the next generation of scientists and engineers"
Thomas is a programme manager for Prosper's Stemovator programme (Formerly Young Engineers and Science Clubs). He supports schools and clubs across a number of STEM engagement projects and works with his team to deliver a wide range of initiatives with support from their industry partners. He is a passionate science communicator with extensive experience with numerous STEM organisations across the U.K. in a variety of roles including workshop development, event coordination, community outreach, project management and staff training. Thomas's background is in geology and physical sciences and in 2015 was awarded an M.Sc Geology from the University of Aberdeen.
As Head of Business and Commercial content at The Scotsman, Rosemary covers a range of topics, from sustainability to finance - as Editor of Scotsman Money - and food and drink and manages campaigns across print and digital. She is the regular host of The Scotsman's Sustainable Scotland podcast and other podcasts. She regularly chairs panel sessions, drawing on her in-depth knowledge of the Scottish business community. She is an experienced journalist who has previously been Personal Finance Editor for The Scotsman and Business News Editor of Scotland on Sunday. While working in London she was a Reporter and Editor with trade newspapers and magazines including Money Marketing, Mortgage Strategy and Broadcast, and has freelanced for national newspapers. She has also held senior communications roles, including time as Head of Communications at the Scotch Whisky Association and Director at PR consultancies.
Wyn Smollett, FCIPD, is a seasoned senior HR leader with over 30 years of strategic and operational experience, primarily within the energy and renewables sectors. Renowned for driving complex organisational change, Wyn has successfully led high-impact transformation initiatives including mergers, acquisitions, and TUPE transfers. With a strong track record in employee relations, reward strategy, and international HR, Wyn brings deep expertise in navigating complex industrial relations landscapes and leading high-performing teams. In the current role as People & Organisation Manager at Equinor, Wyn plays a pivotal role in shaping and
executing HR strategy across UK and international operations, championing excellence, agility, and sustainable organisational growth.
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.
Doug has over 35 years of experience in the energy sector, with a mechanical engineering background. He was a founder of EnerMech, an international services company providing maintenance and commissioning solutions to the energy industry. Under his leadership, EnerMech expanded to 42 bases across 23 countries, employing 4,000 staff and generating £415m in revenue. Prior to this, he played a key role at PSL Energy Services, driving its growth from a £20m UK-focused business to a £110m global operation before its sale to Halliburton. Earlier in his career, Doug spent a decade at KBR 1Production Services, leading EAME to an annual revenue of £200m.
Paul was appointed Head of Planning and Economy in 2020. Under this remit he leads on all aspects of Planning, Historic Environment, Economic Development, Environmental Health, Trading Standards and Roads Development. Aberdeenshire Council is at the forefront of the energy transition. With 3 ports supporting the sector, a strong supply chain, and a skilled workforce, the work of the Planning and Economy Service is enabling the energy transition by creating a skilled workforce, securing inward investment and consenting major wind, grid, hydrogen, CCUS and SAF projects. Paul is also a lead partner in the development of the North East of Scotland Investment Zone. The Investment Zone will drive green energy and digital tech innovation, linking education with industry and creating over 13,000 high value green jobs across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire. Paul co-leads the development and delivery of the North East of Scotland Regional Economic Strategy and is the Programme Sponsor for the Aberdeen City Region Deal Digital Workstream.
Andrew Hockey has four decades of experience and has held numerous directorships and CEO roles across the energy sector. Andrew was attracted to the ECITB by the challenge of ensuring the UK has an engineering workforce capable of delivering the energy transition and ultimately delivering net zero, which will have to be built.
Amy is a Sector Manager (Energy Transition) at Skills Development Scotland (SDS), liaising with Scottish Government, industry and educators who are all working towards delivering a just transition. Working nationally with a focus on the north/north-east, Amy re-established the Scottish Hydrogen Skills Group and has led on hydrogen skills research on behalf of the group. Prior to joining SDS, Amy worked for 12 years in a careers service at a university.
I have worked in North East Scotland College for over 25 years. My career with the College began as a lecturer in Animal Care. Since then I have been fortunate to be employed in a number of roles including Curriculum Manager; Operations Manager; Quality Manager; Director of Curriculum and Associate Vice Principal. I have worked across the region in all the main College Campuses and also with a wide range of subject teams – including engineering; construction; science; computing; business and creative industries. I have also had overall responsibility for leading on Equality and Diversity. These roles have provided me with a wealth of opportunity and experience in education and training. Since August 2023 I have been the College Strategic Lead for Energy Transitions. This post is dedicated to developing NESCol’s capacity and expertise in supporting a just transition for the region. Projects include working with external partners – principally ETZ and Shell UK - in the development of a dedicated Energy Transition Skills Hub in Aberdeen and procurement of an outreach vehicle to inspire and inform people about the transition, as well as liaising with industry on a refreshed curriculum offer. These innovations are designed to support the provision of a supply of skilled workers to match the evolving regional requirements of the energy industry and associated supply chain.
