Seated centre, Neil Gordon, chief executive of Global Underwater Hub and Gillian Martin MSP, Minister for Energy and the Environment

Global Underwater Hub (GUH) welcomed Gillian Martin MSP, Scottish Minister for Energy and the Environment, to its office in Westhill, Aberdeen last week.

The Minister met with the organisation’s chief executive Neil Gordon to learn more about the member-led organisation and its role in facilitating collaboration and growth across the underwater industry, which includes offshore renewables, oil and gas, aquaculture, defence, telecoms and marine science.

During the visit, Ms Martin also held discussions with some of GUH’s member companies, which represented the diversity of the UK’s underwater industry supply chain.  Central to the talks was how the power and resources of the waters off Scotland’s coasts can be maximised in an efficient and environmentally sustainable way by numerous different partners.

The complex challenge of ensuring the underwater industry has a workforce with the relevant, diverse skills required to capitalise fully on future investments was also discussed.  This included understanding what drives people to consider a career in the energy and underwater industries, the varied skilled trades that will be required and why there is a real need to retain talent in Scotland, as well as attracting talent to work in growing and emerging energy sectors.

Global Underwater Hub is the leading trade and industry development body for the UK’s £8billion underwater industry and is working to transform it into one of the country’s largest and fastest-growing industries.  Owned and governed by industry, Global Underwater Hub has received support from both the UK and Scottish governments.

Neil Gordon, chief executive of the Global Underwater Hub, said:
"It was a pleasure to welcome The Scottish Government’s Minister for Energy and the Environment to Global Underwater Hub and facilitate direct discussion between her and some of our member companies.  

"Engagement with government ministers – and politicians from all parties – is crucial to ensure they understand the challenges that businesses and industries are facing.  Dialogue with Ms Martin highlighted many of these issues, along with identifying where closer working between industry and government can be beneficial, and detailing where market opportunity exists.”

KeyFacts Energy Industry Directory: Global Underwater Hub