AIRTO member EMEC, the world’s leading ocean energy test and demonstration centre, has revealed its new executive leadership team as the company embarks on its next phase to pioneer a clean energy future.

EMEC’s leadership team:
•Matthew Finn, Managing Director
•Donna Ritch, Finance Director
•Mark Hamilton, Operations and Technology Director
•Eileen Linklater, Corporate Affairs Director

Matthew Finn has been appointed as EMEC’s new managing director, having worked at the company for 19 years and serving on the executive team as Commercial Director for the past five years. Matthew brings deep industry expertise and a clear vision for the company’s future, backed by an extensive track record of collaborating with a diverse range of organisations to drive research and technology development. He has secured over £200 million in funding for projects spanning wave and tidal energy, offshore wind, hydrogen, alternative fuels and islands decarbonisation.

Matthew has been a driving force behind the company’s growth ambitions, with future plans looking at expanding EMEC’s test and demonstration sites for wave and tidal energy to accelerate the progression from prototype demonstrations to array deployments, as well as developing infrastructure to support the burgeoning floating wind sector.

Whilst stepping aside from the Managing Director position, Neil Kermode, who has led EMEC for the past 20 years, receiving many industry accolades and an OBE for his services to renewable energy and to the community in Orkney, will remain with EMEC to ensure continuity and strategic guidance during the transition. As a passionate and unrelenting advocate for marine renewables, Neil will continue working at the company to champion support for the sector and a clean energy future.

On passing on the mantle of EMEC’s managing director role, Neil said:
“I am absolutely delighted that Matthew is taking over the reins and he has such a strong and capable team around him. I have loved leading EMEC and I’m confident that as I move back into a more supportive role we will continue to see marine energy develop in Orkney and further afield, and EMEC along with it.”