Letter from CEO
Dear Members, Associates and Colleagues
It’s that time of year again … half time for 2016 and we are mainly winning here at THMA HQ and making some solid progress!
This year has seen us organising and participating in a number of high profile activities including our ground breaking Northern Powerhouse Offshore Wind Trade Mission to the USA in February. The USA is on the cusp of becoming a leading Offshore Wind market and they are seeking expertise to realise these aspirations. The Humber has this expertise in spades and I would suggest those members involved in this sector to keep it on their strategic radar!
Our partnerships continue to develop on all sides of the Atlantic including The Business Network for Offshore Wind – Maryland, OffshoreWind MA – Massachusetts and Virginia Offshore Wind Coalition/NovaVis.
Much closer to home we have been working with Mersey Maritime, Liverpool a group with similar aims and objectives to THMA’s. I had the pleasure of meeting with the Shipping Minister Robert Goodwill MP at a Mersey Maritime event in London and he was very encouraging of more business links between the Humber and the Mersey. Watch this space as they say!
Offshore Wind Connections 2016 (OWC 2016) in Bridlington proved to be another successful conference and exhibition that has gathered momentum over the years attracting key speakers and over 300 delegates from around the UK, USA and Europe. It’s now firmly established in the industry calendar and we are now looking to invite sponsors and partners to support us at OWC 2017.
The first year of the Humber University Technical College (UTC) has almost concluded and future results for students are looking very promising indeed. THMA was a founder in establishing this excellent facility and we’ll be looking for members to support further initiatives and engagement with the college.
In terms of skills development, we have established a THMA “Maritime & Offshore Skills group” which is Chaired by Mark Ranson who is Chair of Trustees at HOTA and Secretary of the National Workboat Association. Progress is being made in establishing more Maritime Skills capacity in the region and particular mention must be made here to Trinity House Academy with its proposed Maritime Apprenticeship programme and Grimsby Institute with its Modal Training initiative.
Our Advisory Board is now also well established and I’m delighted that Camilla Carlbom from member Carlbom Shipping Ltd, Immingham has become Vice Chairman of THMA. As well as being Chairman of Carlbom Shipping Ltd Camilla is Honorary Consul for Sweden for Humberside, Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire, Honorary Consul for Finland for Immingham, Grimsby and Hull as well as being Deputy Lieutenant of the County of Lincolnshire.
We have plenty of activities planned for the second half of the year including key exhibitions and workshops in partnership with our colleagues at Green Port Hull and the Humber LEP. I would draw your particularly attention to WindEnergy Hamburg in September where the region will have a high profile exhibition stand and we have a few spaces places available (some funding available to SME’s).
Following the BREXIT decision and resulting political turmoil we can only take a stoic approach by focusing on our areas of influence and to continue our objectives of promoting the region and increasing opportunities and prosperity to you our members and the wider community.
To sign off we are pleased that August see’s the launch of our “Windy Millers” social and networking group aimed at bringing together those who work in or are interested in the offshore wind industry around the Humber.
On behalf of the Board and team here at THMA HQ we wish you all a relaxing and peaceful summer.
Mark O’Reilly
CEO & Chairman