Christmas message from the HM & R Chairman
Dear Member and Supporter
Even though I have only been in the post as chairman of Humber Marine & Renewables’ refreshed board of directors for less than 3 months, I am delighted to be addressing HM&R’s members and supporters through the chairman’s annual Christmas message!
HM&R has evolved very quickly over the past 18 months and that evolution continues at pace. Despite only being in the chairman’s seat for a relatively short period of time, we have all been incredibly busy. Representing our members both locally, Nationally and overseas at conferences and exhibitions. My reintroduction into the marine & renewables industry has been helped along by invitations to attend conferences and awards events hosted by Renewables UK, NOF and Mersey Maritime. I have met so many enthusiastic and hard-working individuals keen to support and enhance our industry. In this short time, we have also rekindled HM&R’s relationships with some of our neighbouring partners in the UK and further afield on both the near continent and in North America.
In and around the Humber area, I believe that we haven’t even started in terms of harnessing the full potential the area has to offer to our members. In addition to the ongoing growth in the marine and offshore renewables industries, the emerging potential for Net-Zero/Decarbonisation is ever present. We are also looking to move further north into Noth Yorkshire to explore new membership opportunities. All of this coupled with the opportunities that the Free Port initiatives makes for a very exciting future.
Throughout 2023 we have continued to provide our growing and diverse membership with opportunities to develop and grow their businesses. Our Offshore Wind Connections (OWC2024), event in May, now in its 11th year, proved to be incredibly successful and coupled with the Humber Renewables Awards Dinner, is now the centrepiece to the region’s marine and renewables calendar. And it is no coincidence that today sees the official launch of OWC2024 and the Humber Awards Dinner that will take place on 1-2 May 2024. We are delighted that RWE is our headline sponsor for OWC2024. We have already sold sponsorship and exhibition packages and we do hope that you can attend the events.
We are planning further membership initiatives going forward into 2024. Over and above our current offering (including our hugely successful Windy Miller events – What, you have never attended one?!), we are very keen to hear more from our members in terms of how we can assist more. Whether that is organising supply chain events, helping to address skills shortages, assisting with other challenges, or anything else, please let us know how we can help you more. We are here to support you, so let us know how we can assist.
So based upon what I have been involved in in the last couple of months, 2024 is going to be an incredibly busy year for all of us and whilst everything seems positive, 2023 has still proved to be incredibly challenging for many (both home and overseas). But let’s stay positive.
And ending on a positive note, on behalf of HM&R’s board of directors and staff, I would firstly like to thank our members and supporters for all of their help and support over the past 12 months. And I would of course like to extend our sincere festive wishes to all of our members and supporters, and wish you all a very successful and prosperous 2024.
Merry Christmas
Iain Butterworth
Director/Solicitor
