The Offshore Wind Industry Council has appointed Melissa Read of Equinor and Andrew Elmes of Siemens Energy as its new vice-chairs.
Energy minister and government co-chair of OWIC Michael Shanks said the pair bring extensive industry experience to support faster offshore wind deployment, investment and skills.
He said: “I’m delighted to welcome Melissa Read and Andrew Elmes as Vice-Chairs of the Offshore Wind Industry Council (OWIC).”
Shanks added: “Offshore wind is the backbone of Britain’s clean power future, providing home-grown energy that strengthens our security, protects households from fossil fuel price shocks, and creates thousands of skilled jobs.”
He said: “Together with industry, OWIC will drive faster build-out, unlock investment, and ensure the benefits of offshore wind reach every region across the UK.”
Read said: “I am delighted to be appointed as Vice-Chair of OWIC. 2025 marks 25 years of offshore wind in the UK and in that time we have positioned the UK as a global leader.”
She added: “The UK has an ambitious target of achieving Clean Power by 2030 which requires strong collaboration between industry players, UK Government, regulators and influential stakeholders.”
Read said: “OWIC’s strategic forum is key to driving this success, strengthening energy security and unlocking the UK’s journey towards net zero.”
Elmes said: “I am honoured by the opportunity to bring my project and infrastructure experience to this role, along with the perspective of the country’s largest energy supply chain company, to maximise the offshore wind contribution to our Clean Power 30 mission and beyond”.
OWIC industry co-chair Adam Morrison said: “It’s great to see Melissa and Andrew stepping up as Vice-Chairs at this crucial time for the industry, as we have a record amount of new capacity eligible for the upcoming auction for new offshore wind projects to go ahead.”
Morrison added: “OWIC is working hard to ensure that we make the most of this opportunity to strengthen the country’s energy security and stabilise electricity bills by maximising the volume that the UK Government procures in this vital allocation round, to maximise the opportunities to support growth in jobs and the supply chain.”
He said: “Andrew and Melissa bring valuable experience and are taking on key roles which will help us to achieve this”.
RenewableUK deputy chief executive Jane Cooper said: “Melissa and Andrew will help us to deliver OWIC’s wide-ranging work programme, including the expansion of our UK-based offshore wind supply chain all around the country, providing vital economic growth.”
Cooper added: “By focussing on high-value goods and services, we can triple our current manufacturing capacity, create 10,000 extra supply chain jobs and boost the UK’s economy by a further £25 billion between now and 2035”.