Tyne-Powered businesses join forces at Global Offshore Wind
Posted on 25 July 2025
{IMAGE: Alex Wright Senior Account Manager, Invest Newcastle; Sara Dunlop Economic Growth and Skills Service Manager, South Tyneside Council; Ricci Boston Regional Director, Global Underwater Hub; Liam Donahue Marketing Co-ordinator, Shepherd Offshore; Ruth Finch Senior Marketing Manager, Kinewell]
Businesses from the North East came together to promote the Tyne on an international stage, at this year’s Global Offshore Wind event.
The annual conference, organised by Renewable UK, is the largest offshore wind event of its kind, attracting businesses and investors from around the globe.
The Tyne Powered stand brought together leading businesses and organisations to tell the story of the Tyne and its innovative, multi-skilled workforce.
Mayor Karen Clark, North East Combined Authority Cabinet Member for Home to the Green Energy Revolution, said: “The North East has always been famous for our shipbuilding and coal mining and have a strong history of leading the way in engineering and technology developments.
“Offshore wind and renewable energy will be the next part of our identity, and I want the region to be synonymous with these industries across the globe.
“We will harness the potential of our rivers, ports and coastline to create more green jobs, generate cleaner energy and become a world leader in renewable technologies. This will help us tackle the climate emergency, create opportunities for our communities and showcase the power of the North East on the global stage.”
Representing the Tyne were teams from A&P Group, Cundall, Global Underwater Hub, Kinewell, Metec Group, Port of Tyne and Shepherd Offshore Group, supported by North Tyneside Council, South Tyneside Council, Invest Newcastle and the North East Combined Authority.
“Working in partnership to promote the region and the Tyne illustrates the way we do business here in the North East,” explained Will Bevin-Nicholls, inward investment lead.
“We have the infrastructure, the supply chains and the skills – and together, businesses on the Tyne create a world-class hub, leading the way in renewable energy innovation and delivery.”
Hamza Sajid, business development manager at Kinewell, said: “As proud North East England innovators, we’re grateful for the continued support from the region that has helped us grow into a globally recognised business. Global Offshore Wind provided an invaluable opportunity to showcase our cutting-edge technology and connect with both new and long-standing international clients. It was inspiring to stand alongside fellow Tyne-based businesses, demonstrating the strength, depth and collaborative spirit of the region’s offshore wind capabilities.”
Simon Cross, production manager at Metec, said: “The event proved to be very successful for Metec group with good footfall and lead generation from the stand which was expertly set up by Tyne Powered. However it wasn’t just about sharing a stand – sharing business experiences and discussing potential collaboration showed the importance in bringing together local companies from the Tyneside region to showcase what makes the North East a fantastic area to base your business from and highlight the ongoing support you can receive.”
Cllr Margaret Meling, lead member for economic growth and transport at South Tyneside Council, said: “We are incredibly proud of our offshore sector here in South Tyneside and were delighted some of our businesses could join us at this event. What better way to truly showcase the Tyne’s credentials in offshore energy, than by putting these companies centre stage to do the talking. A unified approach which clearly shows how we work closely with business to create the right conditions for investment.”
Kevin McGee, Energy Sector Leader, Cundall, said: “To see the North East so well represented with such a strong voice in the room is hugely important. The Tyne is already playing a significant part in the green energy transition, and this event exemplified that the Tyne basin has all the technical, infrastructure and engineering capabilities, as well as a proven track record, to deliver a major piece of the UK’s green energy ambitions. For Cundall, demonstrating to the renewable energy sector that we are well placed with the design consultancy skills to support the energy sector in such a forum, and reinforcing our position as a key player on the Tyne, is key for our own business strategy.”
Charles Shepherd, managing director at Shepherd Offshore Group, said: “At Global Offshore Wind 2025 it was great to see the collaborative effort of the Tyne corridor showcasing the commitment to being one of leading contenders in the clean energy.”
Ricci Boston, regional director, with Global Underwater Hub said: “Partnering with Tyne Powered for Global Offshore Wind 2025 offered an opportunity for organisations with connections to the Tyne to have a united voice in promoting the region. Significant engineering below the waterline is required to install and bring onstream the planned offshore wind developments – both fixed and floating – around the UK and then reliably bring the power ashore. The UK’s underwater supply chain, a significant proportion of which is based in north-east England, has the skills, knowledge, capability and innovative thinking, to deliver on a grand scale’’
The Tyne will be represented at future industry events including Offshore Wind North East in November 2025.
