Engineering firm WSP has boosted its renewables business with two senior appointments.
Simon Cox (pictured) has been appointed associate director for offshore wind where he will support the development and delivery of a range of projects.
WSP currently works with clients on major offshore wind projects which involve a multi-disciplinary approach, including specialists in environmental, quality management and inspections.
Cox has over nearly 20 years’ engineering expertise within wind energy, and through the last ten years he has focused on leadership and business development of advisory services in offshore wind.
His record of involvement in high-profile projects includes Orsted’s Hornsea 1 and acting as a technical advisor for Green Investment Group and TotalEnergies’ Outer Dowsing Crown Estate Round 4 seabed lease.
Cox said: “I’m delighted to be joining such an innovative company at a time when the UK is firmly on the path to net zero emissions by 2050.
“Offshore wind will play an increasingly important role in diversifying the UK’s energy footprint to achieve this ambition and I’m looking forward to helping WSP lead the way.”
In addition, Brian Macdonald has joined as service line director for renewables to bolster WSP’s technical expertise in onshore and offshore wind, solar PV, battery energy systems (BES), and hydrogen.
Previously Wood’s business development director for renewables, Macdonald led on defining the firm’s growth and development strategy, as well as key account management across all renewable energy technologies, project development phases and service lines
Furthermore, over the past 10 years, he has led and delivered renewable energy projects around the globe.
Macdonald said: “Since joining WSP I’ve been impressed with the breadth of expertise in energy technologies such as battery storage, offshore wind, solar, hydrogen and CCUS, to name a few.
“I’m looking forward to the challenges ahead in delivering successful projects for clients in their different journeys to net zero.”
WSP head of energy Fiachra Ó Cléirigh, added: “As WSP’s renewables offering grows stronger, it is exciting to welcome strategic hires that will add to the richness of expertise already within the team.
“Brian and Simon both bring extensive knowledge and experience that will help WSP to lead in the energy transition to net zero.
“Together, we will create value for our clients globally by enabling the commercial adoption of innovative technologies, the mass adoption of renewables and the transformation of existing assets on the journey to a decarbonised society.”
In 2020, WSP made an industry-leading commitment to halve the carbon footprint of all designs and advice provided to clients by 2030.