• Greg Hands MP has visited Aberdeen, the major UK energy hub, for the first time since he was appointed UK Energy Minister last month
• Mr. Hands has welcomed Sian Lloyd-Rees as the new Supply Chain Champion for OGUK – a key deliverable for the North Sea Transition Deal

Energy Minister Greg Hands MP has today welcomed Sian Lloyd-Rees as OGUK’s Supply Chain Champion. The announcement was made during Mr. Hands’ first visit to Aberdeen since his recent appointment as Minister of State at the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy.

Ms. Lloyd-Rees is UK Managing Director of Aker Offshore Wind and a board member of OGUK, the leading representative body for the UK’s offshore oil and gas industry.

In her role as Supply Chain Champion, Ms. Lloyd-Rees will support OGUK in representing energy businesses that generate £27 billion a year and employ 92,000 people across the UK. She will ensure these companies deliver the clean and innovative energy technologies that will help move the UK towards a low carbon future.

The new role of Supply Chain Champion was created as part of the North Sea Transition Deal, a partnership between the UK Government and the UK offshore oil and gas industry. The Deal commits to harnessing the sector’s skills in a green energy revolution and building local capability. It is the first of its kind by any G7 country and was signed in March 2021 on behalf of the UK Government by Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng, and on behalf of the UK oil and gas industry by OGUK CEO Deirdre Michie OBE, who was also part of today’s visit.

Mr. Hands congratulated Ms. Lloyd-Rees on her appointment, as she supports the work of OGUK in championing the industry as it works to support the Government achieve net zero emissions by 2050.

A key aim will be to ensure UK firms are in an early strong position to compete and win contracts for new UK energy projects. It is estimated that 40,000 supply chain jobs will be created in the UK by 2030 through the North Sea Transition Deal, in areas such as carbon capture, hydrogen production and the conversion of offshore oil and gas installations to run on electricity.

With the right support, the UK energy supply chain has the potential to develop highly exportable services, creating jobs and boosting the economy, as well as helping to position the UK as a world leader in low carbon energy by supporting other countries as they work to cut their carbon emissions.

The Minister also visited Robert Gordon University’s Energy Transition Institute where he was given a demonstration of their drilling simulator that helps train the country’s future energy experts virtually.

He then visited Harbour Energy’s Aberdeen control room and communicated with workers offshore. Finally, he met recent helicopter pilot graduates at CHC Heliport, who will service employees in both the UK’s offshore oil and gas and renewable energy sectors in the coming years and decades.

Energy & Climate Change Minister Greg Hands said: 
“Through our landmark North Sea Transition Deal, we are backing the decarbonisation of the oil and gas industry, while supporting workers across the UK in the transition to a lower carbon economy.

“The appointment of Sian Lloyd-Rees as OGUK’s Supply Chain Champion shows that together we are working to deliver on the commitments from the Deal. It was a privilege to visit Aberdeen today and meet Sian and OGUK members, and I look forward to working with them closely as we build a cleaner energy future in the sector.”

Deirdre Michie, Chief Executive of OGUK, which represents the UK offshore oil and gas industry, said: 
“It was a real pleasure to welcome the Minister up to Aberdeen, which is one of many UK energy communities that has the world-leading expertise to help keep the country functioning, while hitting net zero emissions by 2050.

“It was also great to announce Sian Lloyd-Rees as OGUK’s Supply Chain Champion. The UK companies and workers that have long supported the oil and gas industry will be essential in leading this green energy revolution. Sian will work with us to champion their cause to government and to the rest of the industry. I am delighted she has agreed to take on this role.

“We need to ensure a managed transition that takes people with us and supports the UK’s use of oil and gas while accelerating low carbon technologies like wind, hydrogen and carbon capture, which are so crucial to the UK achieving net zero emissions by 2050.”

Sian Lloyd-Rees as OGUK’s Supply Chain Champion and Deirdre Michie, Chief Executive of OGUK

Speaking of her role, Ms. Lloyd-Rees said: 
“Over 1,000 UK companies support the UK’s energy industry and many export globally, generating £60 billion for our economy in the five years preceding the pandemic. Their technology, innovation, skills and capabilities will be key to achieving the changes needed in our energy systems. I’m honoured to champion their cause.”

KeyFacts Energy Industry Directory: Oil & Gas UK