UK regional offshore wind group Team Humber Marine Alliance has made new appointments to its leadership team following longstanding chair and chief executive Mark O’Reilly stepping down.
Andrew Oliver has been appointed chair of the directors and Camilla Carlbom Flinn chair of the group’s advisory board.
O’Reilly (pictured) took the chief role at the organisation in 2010 and will continue to sit on the board of directors.
Oliver, a partner at Andrew Jackson Solicitors and a specialist in shipping and maritime law, said O’Reilly “deserved a public thank you” for the impact of his work in championing the Humber.
Oliver said: “Mark was highly active in the early days of offshore wind and played no small part in securing the investment of original equipment manufacturers to the region.
“He shone a light on the opportunities provided by the burgeoning renewables sector and has guided countless supply chain companies to take advantage, resulting in new energy and buoyancy, new jobs and the formation of a regional cluster.”
Carlbom Flinn is chair of Immingham-based Carlbom Shipping and also holds regional Swedish and Finnish honorary consulate posts.
She said: “Spotting the potential to export e expertise developed by Humber companies in offshore renewables, Mark promoted the region at an international level, ensuring the Humber became the ‘go to’ destination for international delegations such as those from the US and South Korea who were eager to learn from us, particularly in setting up the local supply chain and liaising with major stakeholders.
“He also made Team Humber pivotal in helping the formation of specialist training providers to ensure local people developed the skills needed for the offshore wind revolution, and he has routinely lobbied Government to put our region high on their agenda.”
The organisation’s achievements under O’Reilly’s watch also include the annual conference Offshore Wind Connections.
In an additional move, Iain Elliott, who is the chief executive of Humberside Engineering Training association, has become chair of Team Humber’s Maritime & Offshore Skills Group.
Team Humber Marine Alliance recently opened an office in Scarborough to make it more accessible to maritime business north of the Humber and the supply chain inland towards York and Leeds.
O’Reilly is to spend more time on his business consultancy Square 5 Ltd.