Energi Coast announces new Chair
Posted on 28 July 2026
Energi Coast, North East England’s offshore wind cluster, has appointed Tom Nightingale as Chair as the region moves into a new era.
Highly experienced in the UK’s offshore wind industry, Tom is Local Supply Chain Manager (UK) for Equinor’s Power Business, supporting supply chain development activities for UK projects.
He was appointed Deputy Chair of Energi Coast in April 2025, after spending 4 years as part of its Leadership Group. Tom is replacing Tony Quinn, who is retiring after chairing the cluster since 2021.
Prior to joining Equinor, Tom spent 20 years working in the region’s supply chain sector, holding marketing, strategy and business development roles with companies including Technip, DeepOcean, JDR Cable Systems and Baker Hughes.
Established in 2011, Energi Coast is one of eight UK offshore wind clusters. It is owned and operated by NOF, the UK’s strongest energy sector membership organisation proactively supporting over 400 members with business development, marketing, industry intelligence, strategic introductions, events and supply chain engagement.
Energi Coast’s Leadership Group is made up of more than 30 key regional businesses and stakeholders involved in offshore wind, and the cluster works to showcase supply chain capabilities and promote the region as a key hub for servicing both the UK and international offshore wind markets.
The wider Energi Coast cluster includes more than 300 North East England suppliers.
Tom’s appointment as Energi Coast Chair comes after the recent launch of the 10-Year Vision and Strategy for North East England Offshore Wind. Commissioned by NOF on behalf of the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority and Tees Valley Combined Authority, the strategy was developed with support from Energi Coast and its Leadership Group and focuses on the region’s role in defining the next phase of offshore wind industrialisation in the UK.
The strategy outlines targeted interventions to build delivery momentum in offshore wind over the next decade and how the region can set the standard in full-system offshore electrical solutions and lead the development of deeper-water technologies.
North East England’s role in the future of offshore wind was strengthened in March, with the announcement from The Crown Estate that a new offshore wind leasing round in 2027 could accommodate a capacity of around 6GW or more, predominantly located off the coast of the North East of England. This could result in the creation of up to 10,000 direct jobs and a potential economic boost to the UK of over £12 billion.
Commenting on his appointment, Tom Nightingale said: “I am delighted to be appointed as Energi Coast Chair. North East England is the home of offshore wind in the UK, with the industry, infrastructure and expertise to support projects across the UK and beyond.
“Now is a fantastic time to lead the cluster as we move into the next phase of offshore wind development off our coastline, while construction and operation continue on some of the world’s largest projects.
“I look forward to working with the fantastic people and companies in this great region to support the delivery of the 10-Year Vision and Strategy."
Joanne Leng MBE, Chief Executive of NOF, said: “Tom has played a crucial role in Energi Coast’s development, strengthening our links to industry and Government, and making a huge contribution to the organisation’s development. He is a true ambassador for North East England’s offshore wind cluster.
“I’m therefore very excited to see him take up the position of Chair, as we open a new chapter for offshore wind in the region.
“My heartfelt thanks go to outgoing Chair Tony Quinn, whose passion for offshore wind and immense experience have been central to Energi Coast’s growth and success. We wish him all the best in his retirement.”
Tony Quinn added: “A new Prime Minister promising greater devolved power to the regions in pursuit of economic growth, seems like an opportune time for us to be moving into the delivery phase of our 10-year strategy for offshore wind. It is also an ideal time to be handing over the role of Chair to Tom. With his strong National and Regional profile, coupled with his experience at various levels within the value chain, he is well placed to lead the Cluster into the next phase. I am confident that with the backing of our world class businesses, leading universities and local government colleagues, he will go on to achieve great things for the region.
I would like to thank everyone in the leadership group for their generous support, which has made my five-year tenure as Chair thoroughly enjoyable. It has been an honour and genuine privilege to lead such a talented group of people.”
The North East of England has been active in the offshore wind sector since the inception of the industry. The first UK offshore wind farm built in 2000 and subsequently the first successfully decommissioned in the UK is located off the coast of Blyth, Northumberland.
It has the UK’s most complete regional innovation ecosystem for offshore wind, combining advanced test infrastructure - including at the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult in Blyth - university-led research and development capabilities and targeted skills provision.
The cluster has globally significant port infrastructure, extensive capabilities in manufacturing, fabrication, assembly, logistics and operations & maintenance, and a world-leading supply chain.
For more information on Energi Coast, visit https://energicoast.co.uk/
