Humber renewables champion returns as judge for 2025 awards – as deadline nears
The judging panel for the Humber Renewables Award has been assembled as the deadline for entries nears.
Former Humber Renewables Champion Kurt Christensen will chair the panel, bringing top tier credentials to the role.
A pioneering figure as offshore wind emerged in the region, he pivoted from fish to green energy to provide vital services to developers as the first turbines were planned, then delivered, in the near North Sea.
Kurt was a founding director of Grimsby Renewables Partnership, which went on to merge with Team Humber Marine Alliance to become Humber Marine & Renewables – organiser of the awards. He and colleagues were leading lights in supply chain activation, with his Windpower Support business going on to run a fleet of crew transfer vessels to near-shore farms, as well as offering quayside solutions.
The popular fish auctioneer, who came to the region as a toddler, has been twice decorated by his birth nation of Denmark for his efforts, the second acknowledging his commitment to offshore wind. He now wants to see accolades flow for inspiring and high performing businesses in the region, with the deadline of Friday, March 14 looming.
Kurt said: “This fantastic industry is rapidly closing in on 20 years of continuous activity, and celebrating those succeeding in the sector is something we take great pleasure and pride in.
“Innovation, courage and determination has been witnessed countless times on the incredible and exciting journey businesses and organisations have been on. We’ve seen a new way of thinking adopted and it has opened our eyes to the wider renewables sector too. Leading the world in offshore wind has given the Humber the platform to outline all the effort that is ongoing to decarbonisation.”
He will be joined by Sheena McGuinness, head of renewables at financial consultancy RSM UK – who returns to the panel after her debut in 2024 – and fellow Humber Marine and Renewables director Dave Laister, who after a long career in business journalism in the Humber is now PR and media director at creative communications consultancy Fred Marketing.
Sheena said: “I am delighted to have been invited back after an excellent experience in 2024. It was an eye-opening opportunity to understand what is being achieved in businesses big and small across such a proud region. I look forward to delving into further success this year, and encourage anyone considering an application to go for it!”
Dave added: “We really should celebrate out achievements across our strategic strengths as a region, and the Humber Renewables Awards provide the perfect platform to do just that, and inspire those around us.
“Nominations help business leaders pause and take stock of what has been done, while the enhanced profile that comes with a shortlisting and a win is invaluable. Good luck to everyone who enters.”
Humber Renewables Awards forms a fitting finale to the Offshore Wind Connections conference and exhibition, with both taking place at DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Hull on May 1. OWC 2025 opens with a drinks reception on the evening of April 30.
Companies and organisations with something to shout about can enter online via the dedicated website www.humber-renewables.com. Categories and criteria are listed online.
Orsted, Rix Renewables and RWE all return as partners, with Business Live as media partner.
Further opportunities remain for businesses keen to be involved in a showcase event, with tickets for the gala dinner also now available.
For more information email awards@humber-renewables.com
This year’s categories for the Humber Renewables Awards:
Humber Renewables Small Business of the Year (under 50 employees)
Sponsored by Orsted
This category will recognise those who have spotted an opportunity in the renewables market. The winner will be able to demonstrate fast growth, a healthy profit and a solid plan for the future. It could be a company set up solely to work in green energy or a traditional business which has branched out. One of the reasons Siemens Gamesa decided to invest in Hull was because of the great engineering and maritime infrastructure the Humber already has. Enter here.
Last year’s winner: River Energy and Renewables Ltd
Humber Renewables Medium / Large Business of the Year (50+ employees)
Running a major company is tough in any field but in an evolving sector like renewable energy it has complexities beyond most. Businesses have to be instantly adaptable, on top of the latest technology and ready to make the most of opportunities offered by the Government’s regularly updating green agenda. This award’s winner will be a regional firm with at least 50 employees and bold ambitions to become even bigger. Judges will be looking at past financial performance and recruitment in the past year. Enter here.
Last year’s winner: RWE
Best Renewable Energy Project or Installation
This prize is for the game-changers that are making it happen. Judges will be looking for a winning project that produces clean power, is built to the highest of standards and encapsulates the area’s expertise. The category is open to schemes of any scale, from multi-million pound developments to micro-generation programmes. It could be won by a firm focused on renewables or a company, public sector organisation or educational establishment which has done its bit to reduce our carbon footprint. Enter here.
Last year’s winner: Tidal Transit
Excellence in Renewable Skills and Training
Multinational green energy companies may have their eyes on the region and feet on the ground but success in bringing them here means nothing if they cannot find qualified employees. Getting the training right for any potential workforce is vital and this award will celebrate those organisations which have done most to create a much-needed skills base. The category is open to employers, specialist centres and education providers. Enter here.
Last year’s winner: Hull College
Renewables Education
This category will reward the educators who have done most to promote the value of clean power and understand the opportunities it brings. It could be as part of an energy qualification or learning programme run by a university of college, or a one-off project at a primary or secondary school. Entries will be able to demonstrate what the aims of the project were, how they were achieved and any feedback from students. Submissions may also include details of whether, and how, the project was supported by industry. Enter here.
This award is returning after a break in 2024.
Green Innovation
Green energy can be cheaper than its fossil fuel equivalents and this is down to innovation. This award will reward firms of any size that go out of their way to be more efficient and are not afraid to come up with novel approaches. Judges will be looking to see how innovation has made a real difference. That could be developing a different business model, refining existing technology to make it leaner and more effective, or introducing a new solution. This award is not just open to energy firms. Companies in the recycling sphere, or those reducing consumption are welcome, as are businesses where inventive methods have seen carbon footprints reduced. Enter here.
This award is also returning after a break in 2024.
Engaging The Community / Community Project
This category will recognise a renewable energy project that has the community at its heart. This could either be through raising public awareness of renewable energy needs or involving a local community in a project. Or this could be a renewables project driven by a local community or organisation, or one that is to the benefit of one. Going the extra mile in support of major initiatives is welcome too, ensuring the Humber and its hinterland reaps what it deserves from hosting such industrial endeavour. Enter here.
Last year’s winner: Projekt Renewable
Humber Renewables Woman of the Year
Sponsored by RWE
This award aims to recognise and celebrate women working in the energy sector who go above and beyond business-as-usual. This may be someone who has consistently demonstrated outstanding leadership, has contributed significantly to the expansion and improvement of the power sector or it could be a young role model who is destined to shape the future of renewable energy, having been acclaimed by peers or the wider industry. Enter here.
Last year’s winner: Lauren Little, Orsted / Humber Offshore Wind Industrial Cluster
Humber Renewables Apprentice of the Year
Green collar jobs are the envy of many, providing a clear contribution to a better world, with highly skilled on-task learning the backbone of career starts. It is an industry at the heart of levelling-up and perceived vocational and academic differences were swept away on an early tide when it came to getting ahead in renewables. We want to celebrate the success of those engaged in an apprenticeship programme. Enter here.
Last year’s winner: Ryah Russell
Humber Renewables Champion 2024
The winner of this award will have a passionate focus on promoting the renewables industry in this region. It could be an individual, public sector body or company – the key is a real focus on making the Humber the Energy Estuary. They will have tirelessly campaigned to promote green power. A worthy winner would be anyone who has helped attract new investment, encouraged Government support of the ambition or paved the way for more jobs. It could also be an organisation or person who has ensured the reputation stretches beyond the region. Judges will be looking for candidates whose aim was not just to further their own business, but to create opportunities for all. This is a special award, bestowed by the panel.
Last year’s winner: Camilla Carlbom Flinn, Pentagon Marine Ltd / HM&R