Neil has been the Managing Director of EMEC – the world’s leading test facility for wave and tidal energy converters – since 2005 and has overseen the deployment of more marine energy technologies in the seas around Orkney than has been deployed at any other site in the world.

Through Neil’s leadership, EMEC is also pioneering the production of hydrogen in Orkney and that has led to multiple projects to seek the best ways to use it, particularly in transport. Most recently EMEC hosted the demonstration of production of synthetic fuel for aviation from hydrogen.

Neil hosts VIPs, policy makers and stakeholders on visits to the test facilities in Orkney on a regular basis and lobbies continuously for support for R&D activities both in the marine energy space but also more widely on matters relating to net zero.

Prior to working at EMEC, Neil worked as a project developer of a potential tidal scheme, following six years at the Environment Agency dealing with regulation and development issues.

Neil is a Chartered Engineer, Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers and a Chartered Environmentalist. He has spoken on marine energy extensively in the UK and internationally and is a passionate advocate for a sustainable energy future.

Neil was awarded an OBE in the Kings Birthday Honours in 2023 for services to Renewable Energy and the community of Orkney.