Energy Burst Issue 2 by NOF Energy

Issue

#02 SPRING/SUMMER 2013

this issue q CALGARY & ALBERTA 10 q ANNUAL DINNER 48 q MILITARY2ENERGY 18 q MEMBER NEWS 38

The official membership magazine of NOF Energy

Calgary & Alberta Valuing Employees Energy Force - Military2Energy Team Member Spotlight: Paul Livingstone NOF Energy Annual Dinner Upcoming NOF Energy Events

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your partner in energy CR E AT ING FuT uRE TA lE NT R E s E A RC h & IN N ovATI o N W o Rk Fo RC E DE vE lop m E NT T E C hN olo Gy T RA N sF E R Bu s INEss & Com m uN I Ty

From any angle, you can profit from our knowledge

Explore future opportunities at: www.rgu.ac.uk/business-services Business Services | T: +44 (0) 1224 263320 | business@rgu.ac.uk

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05 Welcome 10 Calgary & Alberta 15 Valuing Employees 18 Energy Force 30 Train to Gain 32 Vulnerability in Leadership 38 News

Strategic Partners 42 Meet The Team 45 NOF Energyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Silver Anniversary 46 Annual Dinner 48 Offshore Europe 2013 52 Events 53 Join us 54

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ENERGY BURST EDITION 2

Welcome from George Rafferty The official membership magazine of NOF Energy

Energy Burst introduction

NOF ENERGY TEAM George Rafferty Chief Executive Joanne Leng MBE Deputy Chief Executive Clare Weirs Director Business Services Carolyn Clithero Executive Assistant

WELCOME TO THE SECOND EDITION OF THE NOF ENERGY MAGAZINE, ENERGY BURST.

Paul Livingstone Business Development Manager

Caroline Lofthouse Business Development Manager

he positive feedback we received about the first edition from our members and those in the wider NOF Energy network confirmed that there is definitely a place for a publication like this that can further highlight the importance of the NOF Energy network and the vital role we play within the energy industry. In addition, it enables NOF Energy to provide another platform to showcase the high quality companies that are within our membership and the excellent products and services they offer to industry. With, for example, the recent publishing of the draft Energy Bill and the clarification of tax relief for decommissioning costs for North Sea assets in the Budget, there is growing optimism within the supply chain. The Government has reconfirmed its commitment to the energy industry as it acknowledges how important the sector is to the economy and UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s future power requirements. In addition, the advances being made in technology by supply chain companies is increasing the longevity of existing energy

resources while enabling the exploitation of new and emerging resources. This optimism was very evident at our recent national conference and exhibition, which was attended by over three hundred industry professionals who heard from some of the industryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading executives. They also took the opportunity to network with representatives from across the oil, gas, nuclear and offshore renewables sectors.

Kristie Leng Trainee Events Manager Jenna Spencer Business Development Executive Jennifer Smith Events Coordinator Zara Moustapha Finance Assistant Danielle McCarthy Administrator

I hope 2013 proves to be the start of the next growth period for the supply chain. This year is also special for NOF Energy as it marks our 25th anniversary. On 4th July we are holding a special Silver Jubilee Dinner to celebrate the achievements of the organisation and our members and, of course, look forward to the future. I do hope to see you at our celebrations for more information visit our website www.nofenergy.co.uk or speak to my colleague Kristie Leng on +44 (0) 191 384 6464.

George Rafferty Chief Executive, NOF Energy

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A NEW BUSINESS, BRINGING LEADING EDGE TECHNOLOGIES TO THE SUBSEA INDUSTRY

art of the Reef Subsea Group, Reef Subsea Power & Umbilical (RSPU), based out of Thornaby, StocktonOn-Tees, is a relatively new player to the subsea market, but has already secured a significant contract on one of the largest European Offshore Wind Farms to date and has brought two new subsea trenching tools to market.

umbilicals, and in March 2013 it commenced installation and burial of the total 161 interarray power cables of Gwynt Y Môr (GYM) Offshore Wind Farm, located 13 kilometres off the North Wales coast in Liverpool Bay. It will see Reef Subsea Group pull together to deliver a suite of integrated subsea engineering services using its sophisticated equipment and highly experienced personnel.

RSPU specialises in the installation and burial of submarine cables, flexible products and

The Polar Prince DP2 multi-role construction vessel, which is on long-term charter from GC Rieber Shipping, is being used as the platform for the installation and burial spread and will be on contract throughout 2013. The spread

Q1000 jet trencher mobilised on-board the Reef Despina, for trenching of submarine cables, flexible products, umbilicals and rigid pipelines

is designed for future Offshore Wind Farm developments, calling for increasing maximum bend radius of infield inter‐array cables. This will put RSPU in a good position for securing the UK Round 3 Tenders to come, as well as for other large wind farm developments in the North European waters. Fundamental in securing the project was RSPU’s track record and experience in handling previous offshore wind and oil & gas installation and burial workscopes. The

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young company has managed to complete a number of workscopes in offshore wind (Thanet, Greater Gabbard & Lincs Offshore Wind Farm) and has made a name for itself in the oil & gas market in the North Sea and Europe. RSPU also delivered a compelling technical solution and put forward a unique cable burial spread to meet Gwynt Y Mor’s requirements. Daryl Lynch, Managing Director of RSPU says, “This contract is a significant milestone for RSPU and cements our place as a key player in the offshore renewables sector when it comes to offshore cable installation and burial. Gwynt y Môr wind farm promises to be one of the most prestigious European offshore wind farms to date, which we hope will help to propel Reef Subsea and its subsidiaries reputation even further. RSPU is committed to delivering high quality engineering and management throughout the lifecycle of this campaign, to ensure we meet client expectations and deliver a successful project.” RSPU has made significant investments since it started operation, having had two multi-million pound subsea trenching assets built at local equipment manufacturer, SMD, based in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. These owned assets include the Q1000 industry-leading jet trencher and the Heavy Duty Inter-Array (HDIA) cable plough, which was delivered in January 2013 and will play a significant part on

the GYM project. The HDIA cable plough is a proven design, capable of providing the safe burial of submarine cables in consolidated soils, including stiff clays. The plough will be used to simultaneously install and bury the 161 inter-array cables on GYM Offshore Wind Farm, which is expected to complete in March 2014. RSPU’s second subsea tool, the Q1000, was brought to market at the end of last year and can provide the trenching of flexible products and rigid pipelines up to 3 metres. The Q1000 jet trencher was launched in October 2012, and has already completed its maiden project in the UK supported by the Reef Subsea owned vessel, Reef Despina. The Q1000 is capable of operating in extremely challenging environments, particularly associated with offshore wind farms, with the aid of its heavy latch beam Launch and Recovery System (LARS). As part of RSPU’s ambition to become the leading installation and trenching partner of choice, it also wants to continue its growth at the Stockton base, having already reached a headcount of 38 permanent onshore personnel, and over 30 offshore. RSPU would like further strengthen this already experienced team and has ambitions to grow to 57 onshore personnel by the end of the year.

Schoeller-Bleckmann UK (SBUK) is a major stockholder in Nickel Alloys, SuperDuplex, Duplex, 6Moly and Stainless Steel Tube, Pipe and other components. Via our parent company Bohler Uddeholm UK Ltd we have access to Wire, Rod, Round Bars, Plates and Forgings in the full range of corrosion resistant alloys. Our particular strengths lie in the supply of STAINLESS STEELS and EXOTIC GRADES – Duplex UNS 31803, Super Duplex 32760/50 and 6moly (UNS S31254). Our duplex materials are produced to a high specification and conforms to the latest NORSOK/ SHELL/ARAMCO/PDO requirements while our UK stockholding is ISO 9001, 14001, and 18001 accredited. SCHOELLER BLECKMANN UK EUROPEAN BUSINESS PARK TAYLORS LANE, OLDBURY WEST MIDLANDS B69 2BN

Tel: 0121 552 1535 Fax: 0121 627 9282 Email: sales@schoeller-bleckmann.co.uk

Sales Office and Warehouse in Jebel Ali, Dubai Sales Office in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Web: www.schoeller-bleckmann.co.uk

ENERGY BURST EDITION 2

ADVERTISING FEATURE

MacGregor Offshore Service in Aberdeen

acGregor Aberdeen service operates out of Altens industrial estate from a modern facility with focus on providing first class service, predominantly for vessels in North Sea operating davits, cranes and winches.

MacGregor is the world’s leading brand of engineering solutions and services for handling marine cargoes and offshore loads. MacGregor products serve the maritime transportation, offshore and naval logistics markets, in ports and terminals as well as on board ships.

MacGregor Aberdeen forms part of a regional footprint covering Norway and the UK, as well as being part of a larger global offshore service organisation that has operations in all major offshore hubs representing service for our own OEM products of deep water load handling equipment, our brands being formally Hydramarine AS and Plimsoll Pte - now rebranded as MacGregor offshore load handling equipment.

Our cargo flow solutions integrate cargo access, stowage, care and handling functions to suit a particular ship’s cargo profile. This benefits its productivity, environmental impact and profitable service lifetime. www.macgregor-group.com

The service provided from Aberdeen is a 24 / 7 on demand port service business, as well as planned maintenance for its regular service customer accounts. The speciality service offered by the Aberdeen operation is its deep knowledge, and experience of advanced rescue systems for MOB / rescue boat davits, fast rescue boat davits systems, daughter craft davit systems, general purpose davits, and fast rescue cranes.

”Emergency Box” HDM Davit emergency spare parts kits tailored to your davit specification

MacGregor Aberdeen is Lloyds Approved to LR URZ17 for servicing & testing of lifeboats / launching appliances / onload release gear. (Formally MCA ILSTO Approval) other accreditations includeLRQA ISO9001 – ISO14001, LR URZ17 – Survey, Servicing & Testing of Lifting Appliances, with the mission to have LRQA IMS in place middle of 2013. Please contact Steve Goodchild for more information on MacGregor offshore service: Tel: +44 (0)1224 347050 steve.goodchild@cargotec.com sales.abn@cargotec.com

MacGregor is part of Cargotec. Cargotec’s sales totalled EUR 3.3 billion in 2012 and it employs approximately 10,500 people. Cargotec’s class B shares are quoted on NASDAQ OMX Helsinki under symbol CGCBV. www.cargotec.com

Driving innovation and sustainability offshore MacGregor provides comprehensive market-driven engineering solutions for subsea load handling, anchor handling, towing and mooring. mooring. Perfectly to your ship’s design and requirements, these MacGregor systemsthe expand the operational on Perfectly matched matched to your ship’s design and requirements, these MacGregor systems expand operational envelope envelope on all fronts, all fronts, making sureprofit that you from our pioneering technology and its lifelong sustainable performance. making sure that you fromprofit our pioneering technology and its lifelong sustainable performance. MacGregor’s global network is always close to customers and our service portfolio ranges from spare parts to training for equipment operators and maintenance engineers. We understand the offshore industry’s ever growing demand for operational flexibility and increased equipment reliability. Your success is our mission. MacGregorisispart partof ofCargotec. Cargotec. Cargotec’s sales 2011 and it employs approximately 10,500 people. MacGregor sales totalled totalled EUR EUR3.1 3.3billion billioninin 2012 and it employs approximately 10,500 people. Cargotec’s sharesare arequoted quotedon onNASDAQ NASDAQOMX OMX Helsinki under symbol CGCBV. www.cargotec.com. Cargotec’s class Helsinki under symbol CGCBV. www.cargotec.com. class BB shares

www.macgregor-group.com

ENERGY BURST EDITION 2

WORDS: XXXXXXX

lberta’s energy sector is a key economic driver and has been for decades. The rich resources available in Alberta, Canada account for the third largest reserves of crude in the world and the largest deposits of oil sands in the world. International companies are investing billions of dollars into this industry – an estimated $20 billion of capital investment in 2012 alone. BP’s Statistical Review of world energy in 2011 highlights Canada as the world’s sixth largest oil producer and the world’s third largest natural gas producer and Calgary is home to the head office of nearly every major oil and gas company in the country. The city is also the base for major pipeline operators and manufacturers, oilfield service companies, drilling companies, energyrelated engineering firms and consulting firms, and numerous other industry bodies and associations.

Calgary’s high concentration of engineers, physical scientists and technician professionals provide the research, development, engineering, technical consulting and technological expertise to support the growth of Alberta’s energy industry. Calgary scientists and engineers have been instrumental in the development of techniques for horizontal drilling, shale fracking, SAGD (Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage – an in situ method of extracting deeper oilsands deposits), THAI (Toe-to-Heel Air Injection) and other new technologies for extracting hydrocarbons – many of which were not in use a decade ago. In terms of opportunity for UK companies, Calgary and Alberta provide plenty. Firstly, many of the key players in the North Sea – for example Suncor, Talisman, Canadian Natural and Nexen – are headquartered in the

ENERGY BURST EDITION 2

city. That provides motivation for UK firms to set up shop in Calgary – not just to nurture relationships important to North Sea business, but also to leverage those relationships towards doing business with those companies in their Canadian backyard and around the globe. UK Companies like AMEC and Wood Group have led the way in this regard. Secondly, the UK Government’s renewed appetite for shale gas exploration and production provides a strong case for UK firms to partner with Canadian companies who are specialists in extracting gas via hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling, and have the environment-focused experience and expertise needed to do this safely and efficiently in the UK. Thirdly, as Alberta seeks to diversify its oil and gas export * MoneySense Magazine, 2013

markets, the East coast of Canada – and Europe – are becoming an increasingly enticing market prospect, accessed by pipeline or by Canada’s high-capacity rail network. Diversifying energy security and supply from Canada, a trusted ally and trading partner, has to be an attractive proposition to the UK, and offers significant potential for additional trade and business collaboration. In order to access new markets and to maintain precious social licence, Calgary’s core industry needs to enhance its environmental performance in oil & gas and reduce emissions while also diversifying into new forms of energy production. A number of firms from the UK and other European countries are already helping to deliver that vision. Calgary is well-equipped to support firms that are developing and commercialising new clean technology through a winning combination of human capital, financial clout, and a strong knowledge-based economy. Innovation and collaboration underpin everything that happens within Alberta’s energy sector. Canada’s Oil Sands Innovation Alliance (COSIA), is an alliance of oil sands

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Delivering world class multidiscipline engineering to the Oil and Gas, Petrochemical, Energy and Steel industries Nortech Solutions Ltd, along with sister company Nortech Oil and Gas Ltd, provide flexible and proactive multidiscipline Engineering design, Procurement and construction management assistance solutions (EPcma) from our offices, at Wynyard on Teesside. Our team of professionals have an enviable record of successful project delivery and client satisfaction including: • A range of process simplification and platform upgrade projects to promote operational Life Extension

• Offshore modifications, repair orders and likefor-like replacement work

• Offshore accommodation modules expansion, caisson repair and upgrade

• Upgrading of a Gas Making facility including new DCS control system

• ESDV Isolation solutions

• KP4 driven projects

• On-going upgrades to the utilities infrastructure and power plant at the Wilton site, Teesside

• Pigging options • Specialist Vendor integration and management

• Iron and Steel projects, expertly delivered via our Paul Wurth agency agreement

To find out more, please contact: Peter Doherty: peter.doherty@nortech-solutions.co.uk or Richard Skilbeck: richard.skilbeck@nortech-solutions.co.uk

Tel: +44 (0)1740 644 283

www.nortech-solutions.co.uk

“Total Engineering Excellence”

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producers, focused on accelerating the pace of improvement in environmental performance in Canada’s oil sands through collaborative action and innovation. Created in March 2012 with representatives from 12 companies, the Alliance targets improved measurement, accountability and environmental performance in the oil sands in four priority areas - tailings, water, land and greenhouse gases. Calgary hosted seven of the Virgin Earth Challenge finalists at the Global Clean Energy Congress in November 2011 and Virgin and several finalists returned in October 2012. Calgary’s own Carbon Engineering is one of the finalists. Alberta’s provincial policy framework has driven growth in the marketplace of technologies to address climate change. The Province has made a $2 billion plus commitment to the development of carbon capture and storage projects. Alberta was also the first province to place a price on carbon through the Provincial Greenhouse Gas Reduction Program.

Calgary’s sustainable and renewable energy (SURE) cluster is working to develop solutions in renewable energies focused on solar, wind and biofuels. Alberta ranks third out of Canadian provinces in installed wind capacity (all onshore) and many more projects are in the pipeline. For solar developers Alberta is the sunniest province in Canada - it receives 2,330 hours of sunshine a year. Even more crucially, the majority of wind and solar projects across Canada are led by firms based in Calgary, as part of their strategy of developing a balanced energy portfolio. Alberta’s energy sector is a key economic driver for Canada and will continue to be into the future. Continued global investment into Alberta’s energy industry – including from the UK as a major trading partner - will ensure capital availability to develop key projects and fund new and innovative energy technologies to develop resources in the most economic, environmentally-friendly way possible. As an opportunity-maker, helping to spark and fuel Calgary’s growth, Calgary Economic Development plays a key role in connecting people with resources that can help connect incoming companies with the business community in Calgary - to identify synergies and opportunities to make a real impact on reducing the impact of carbon emissions in our atmosphere while diversifying the city’s economy.

Ultra Deep Water brings more challenges than just an alien environment. BEL Valves Ltd deliver high integrity valves for water depths to 3000m where alien creatures inhabit the water and where reliability is critical. We always operate: l in ultra-deep water l at extremes of pressure l at extremes of temperature For further information visit www.belvalves.com or email sales@belvalves.com

Excellence in Valve Engineering Excellence in Valve Engineering

www.belvalves.com

Representing businesses that provide goods and services to the energy industry in Eastern Canada onshore and offshore, renewable and non-renewable.

Learn more at www.MaritimesEnergy.com

ENERGY BURST EDITION 2

WORDS: TONY TOMLIN, PARTNER, TAXATION

re you and your employees prepared for the ‘green shoots’ of recovery? Whatever the economic climate, committed employees still have expectations regarding their reward and staff that remain in post after difficult times, particularly following redundancies are often confused and de-motivated. Without careful management, talent can be lost just at the point when the company most needs good people... If predictions are to be believed, we are beyond the deepest point of recession and are in the process of a steep and escalating climb back to ‘normality’. The roller coaster ride for many has been profound and unprecedented. If your company has managed its staff well during the difficult times, you will have: Continued at least to recognise the right employee behaviours even though you may have struggled to reward them Reviewed business process, HR policies, tax and administration to reveal any untapped efficiencies – examples include shorter

working weeks, changes to travel policies and salary sacrifice for pension contributions where savings can come through within a few months of implementation Kept communicating with employees about current HR and reward strategies – silence breeds fear and reduces employees’ engagement with the organisation Reminded employees about the value of their total reward package where they might otherwise focus only on base wages or salary Forward thinking companies will have made sure employees are engaged and committed to their jobs despite the tough economic climate. As business gathers some momentum the job market will be revived and employees can be tempted away. With increased commercial activity comes the need to identify key talent and ensure it is retained and rewarded. This talent has got you through the difficult times and will now help you respond to a recovering economy and to benefit from a more buoyant climate. So what now?

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Remember that Aunty you didn’t see very often when you were younger? At Christmas she’d present you with a beautifully packaged box of embroidered handkerchiefs. They probably weren’t a cheap present; she may have saved hard to buy them for you. You’d say a polite ‘thank you’ and find a drawer to leave them in. If you were lucky, Mum would palm them off on someone she’d forgotten to buy for. But it’s the thought that counts isn’t it? Not in business. And not when it comes to employee remuneration! The value (for value read ‘appreciation’) of a rigid remuneration package will depend entirely on the personal circumstances of the employee. Provide a free parking space for someone who catches the bus to work – no value. Provide exceptional Death in Service cover for a single person with no dependents – no value. Provide a staff canteen for someone who is out on the road all day – no value. Give private medical insurance to someone already covered under their spouse’s policy – no value. Provide a company van and allow a huge employee tax bill to arise – no negative value! In all of these cases, the appreciation (or lack of it) by the employee will bear no resemblance to the cost suffered by the business.

Communication, Consideration and Flexibility. Allowing employees to shape their own remuneration package by selecting elements of reward that are of most value to them results in maximum ‘bang for your buck’ (read ‘appreciation’). In flexible packages, tax-efficient and salary sacrifice perks can sit together with other flexibilities, e.g. holidays; and voluntary benefits, e.g. cash plans for dentist and optician. When you bundle schemes together under a flexible benefits scheme, the value of the individual components can be better communicated and understood. Flexible Benefits administration software can be used to make the benefit selections process efficient but, in any event, arrangements don’t need to be complicated and even small amounts of flexibility can be of significant value to employees and to the company. Many flexible benefits arrangements are self financing or generate savings (for employee and employer) by virtue of the tax-efficient perks incorporated including: Pensions – taking employee contributions out of the national insurance net (also mitigating the additional cost of pensions auto-enrolment)

Darchem Engineering

TAKING THE HEAT OUT OF YOUR PROBLEMS Tel: 01740 630461 | www.darchem.co.uk Darchem Engineering / Ironmasters Way / Stillington / Stockton on Tees / TS21 1LB

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– employees can save up to 41% on bus passes in some circumstances – huge savings where employees travel extensively on business or to temporary workplaces (sites) CO2 efficient cars where the tax bill is far cheaper than that relating to the salary exchanged Taking time to consider and communicate the value employees receive and perceive will enable you to be in great shape for the upturn. For more information please contacts Tony Tomlin, Partner, Taxation, RSM Tenon on anthony.tomlin@rsmtenon.com or 07800 617 021

Hydraulic & Offshore Supplies Supplying hydraulic hose, tube, & pipeline materials for nearly 30 years.

Hertel Valve & Rotating Services provide a comprehensive range of maintenance services both on-site and in our workshops around the UK. Services include:

Hertel Valve & Rotating Services are a comprehensive maintenance service provider with workshops in Teesside, Humber & Grangemouth, with on-site support provided throughout the UK. Services include:

 Valve Servicing & Repair  Rotating Equipment Service & Repair

 Hydraulic Bolting & Machining  Shutdown Management

   

Condition Monitoring Reverse Engineering Total Asset Management Database Inventory Control & Spares Management

Providing engineering solutions for the lifecycle of your assets from plant commissioning through to maintenance and decommissioning, HVRS are equipped to deliver unrivalled performance, on time, on budget.

Tel: +44 (0)191 549 7335 Email: hos@hos.co.uk Web: www.hos.co.uk

Setting the standard for industrial construction and maintenance services, worldwide. To discuss how HVRS can help drive your operations, contact Kayvon Azadi T: +44 (0) 1642 44 35 10 M: +44 (0) 7718 69 85 97 E: kayvonazadi@hertel.co.uk

ENERGY BURST EDITION 2

NOF ENERGY JOINS FORCES WITH THE BRITISH FORCES RESETTLEMENT SERVICES TO LAUNCH MILITARY2ENERGY CAREERS SERVICE OF Energy, the business support organisation for oil, gas, nuclear and offshore renewables, has teamed up with The British Forces Resettlement Services (BFRS) to launch The Military2Energy Careers Service. The service, which is designed to introduce ex-servicemen and women into careers in the energy sector, offers NOF Energy members the opportunity to communicate with and recruit from BFRS’s Armed Forces community of more than 14,000 skilled Service leavers. NOF Energy and the BFRS are hosting their second Military2Energy Careers Event on Thursday 27th June 2013, 8:30am to 13:00pm at Catterick Leisure Centre in Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire. The event, which is open to exmilitary personnel and organisations in the energy sector, is a chance for energy sector supply chain employers and training companies to meet, network and recruit from a network of highly skilled Armed Forces leavers interested in starting a career in the energy sector. The event follows on from the inaugural Military2Energy Careers Day in 2012, which proved successful for a number of ex-service people and employers. Each year, more than 20,000 individuals leave the Armed Forces. This figure is set to dramatically increase as the MoD plans to make 54,000 additional redundancies before 2015. The next round of redundancies will be announced on the 18th June 2013, shortly before the event. Many of these Service leavers possess valuable skills that are perfectly transferrable to roles in the energy sector and with staggered leaving dates, the Military2Energy

NOF Energy’s Joanne Leng MBE (left) and Hannah Price from the British Forces Resettlement Services (right) launch the Military2Energy Careers Service

Careers Services offers companies the opportunity to build a pipeline of skilled and able workers ready to resource future projects. The partnership is committed to tackling both industries’ key skills and employment issues. The Military2Energy

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The British Forces Resettlement Services, known as BFRS, is a notfor-profit organisation which provides help, support and advice to members of the Armed Forces and their families during their transition to civilian life and beyond. Created and operated by former Armed Forces personnel, BFRS has first-hand experience of rejoining civilian life and works to champion the skills, qualities and expertise possessed by those in the Armed Forces community. www.bfrss.org.uk

Careers Service allows NOF Energy members to take advantage of skilled ex-military personnel. It offers companies a constant influx of ex-servicemen and women for enrolment on training courses, opportunity to promote vacancies at any point and organises work trial placements with potential candidates through interaction with ex-military personnel at live and virtual career events and exhibitions, company listing on the BFRS website and inclusion in the BFRS newsletter. The service also provides organisations in the energy sector with a 12 month programme of support and multiple marketing opportunities to position their company as the employer of choice or leading training provider to the Armed Forces community. Joanne Leng MBE, Director Business

Development at NOF Energy, said: “The transferable skills of armed forces personnel make them perfect candidates for positions within the energy sector, with many possessing specialist engineering and technical skills in high demand from the sector.” “The Military2Energy Careers Service offers businesses in the energy sector an excellent platform to take advantage of the fantastic skills on offer and I would urge them to get involved with the scheme.” Hannah Price, Marketing Director from The British Forces Resettlement Services, said: “BFRS champions the skills, qualities and expertise possessed by those in the Armed Forces community and we’re thrilled to be working with NOF Energy to help promote the valuable contribution that ex-military personnel can make to the energy sector.”

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MARK SIMON SUCCESSFULLY MADE THE TRANSITION FROM THE MILITARY TO A CAREER IN THE ENERGY SECTOR WITH THE HELP OF MILITARY2ENERGY. HE IS NOW A TECHNICAL RECRUITMENT TEAM LEADER FOR MC2 CONTRACTING SERVICES, A RECRUITMENT FIRM WHICH SUPPLIES ENGINEERING PROFESSIONALS TO THE ENERGY SECTOR. HERE IS HIS SUCCESS STORY.

MARK SIMON

“Having served a total of 21 years in the Army I left as senior commander to help create a more stable home life for my family. I could also see that Military redundancies were in the pipeline and I wanted to be ahead of the wave when the thousands of highly skilled individuals leaving the Military began searching for jobs. “Within a year I had established myself as a professional global HR manager in a FTSE 100 company. It was important for me to continue to build on the experience and qualifications gained throughout my Military career however I wanted to be able to work in the North East to be closer to my family. I also wanted to build on my commercial experience and be in a position to influence a business on a global scale.”

“It was more than a year after leaving the Military that I discovered Military2Energy – just in time for their Catterick 2012 event.

“Unfortunately I could not attend the event as I was attending a PRINCE 2 project management course in Newcastle upon Tyne. I did however network with Military2Energy and the event’s exhibitors – an activity that proved highly effective for me. “After following up with all of the new contacts I made as a result of the Military2Energy event, the Managing Director of MC2 Contracting Services called me to talk about an opportunity in their company.”

“As a senior manager my current role sees me providing global technical recruitment within the Oil & Gas, Engineering and Manufacturing Sectors whilst growing the business on a global scale. I achieve this through the development of initiatives and building client and candidate portfolios in growth markets whilst also managing and providing strategic and operational direction to the Global Recruitment Team to ensure growth is maintained. I have also designed and implemented a full range of professional HR services including performance management, talent management and succession planning as well as taking a key lead in change management. “I am currently working alongside a 20Bn USD petrochemical client in Malaysia whilst also operating with existing and new clients in Libya, South Africa, UK and Canada. “I am very positive about the future as I have an employer who understands what skills, strengths and experiences I bring to the company.”

left to right Mark Simon of MC2 Contracting Services, Joanne Leng of NOF Energy

In association with:

Tap into this skills resource now! The Armed Forces community represents a real opportunity to solve your skills and personnel needs, from a pool which is constantly growing. If you are interested in joining the Military2Energy Careers Service, or exhibiting at a Military2Energy Careers Event, please contact Kristie Leng at NOF Energy by emailing kleng@nofenergy.co.uk or calling +44 (0)191 384 6464, or visit www.military2energy.com.

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NewcastleGateshead: the energy behind innovative solutions for subsea technology NEWCASTLEGATESHEAD AND THE SURROUNDING AREA HAVE ALWAYS BEEN SYNONYMOUS WITH EXCELLENCE IN ENGINEERING.

ur innovative industrial past of the 1800s was home to the inventive minds of leading figures such as Robert Stirling Newall, who brought wire rope manufacturing, cable laying technology and telegraph submarine cable to the English Channel and Atlantic. Half of the initial Atlantic submarine telegraph cable was manufactured in Gateshead around the same time Newall invented the brake-drum and cone for laying cable in deep seas. This enterprising spirit and ability to deliver on challenges is still very much prevalent today. North East England’s subsea sector is worldrenowned for its capabilities in everything from fabrication and construction of subsea structures, remotely operated vehicles (ROV) and remote intervention technology, through to Front End Engineering Design (FEED) operations and maintenance, trenching systems, ploughs, tractors and jetting machines. Around 50 supply chain companies make up the sector which supports more than 10,000 jobs and is worth around £1 billion to the local economy.

As an established live test bed for the development of advanced subsea technology, NewcastleGateshead is at the heart of what is now one of the fastest growing and highest performing sectors in the UK. Our enviable reputation for pioneering new technology has attracted global leaders such as OSBIT Power, SMD, IHC, Duco and Wellstream. These companies are tapping into the area’s highly skilled workforce to create and test products that meet the demanding conditions of the North Sea as well as being at the forefront of challenging projects in South America and Asia-Pacific. The banks of the River Tyne are home to some of the most advanced facilities available for all aspects of offshore and marine projects. Wellstream has created a corrosion resistant FlexSteel pipe system, based on revolutionary technology, able to extract oil at depths of over 2000 metres. This was developed in its design and manufacturing plant at Walker Riverside, Newcastle. At the same location is Duco, another major subsea manufacturer, which produces plastic-based umbilicals for oil and gas fields across the world. Just along the coast at Blyth, the National Renewable Energy Centre (Narec) is quickly becoming recognised world-wide as the UK’s leading centre for advancing the development and integration of renewable energy. Along with partners, Narec has invested £150 million to develop a significant testing infrastructure. It offers technical support for subsea research and development, stimulating innovation in manufacturers as they learn new ways

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of working across the supply chain for the development and deployment of new turbine technologies. NewcastleGateshead’s ability to continually innovate and consistently deliver is driven by the wealth of talent emerging from the North East’s colleges, universities and training academies each year. Employee retention rates are high, the recruiting process can be done with ease and combined with lower operating costs, having a base in NewcastleGateshead can result in up to 40% savings compared to other offshore locations. Continuing to nurture the skills of the workforce is high on the agenda of Subsea North East, a regional advocacy group for the North East of England’s subsea sector. Together with Newcastle University, they have established the Msc in Subsea Engineering and Management. Tony Trapp, CEO of OSBIT Power and previously an owner-director of SMD and founder of world renowned company, The Engineering Business, remains passionate about the region’s engineering and designled value. He says: ”North East England is a major source of engineering innovation and

manufacture for the UK offshore industry with a great heritage and vibrant workforce. The future of engineering and manufacture in the UK depends on the engineering brilliance in innovative businesses and North East England is the best place for our business to be to tap in, and contribute, to that.” Every day, we’re delivering innovative subsea technology solutions globally and shaping the industry’s exciting future. If you want to be a part of something special, join us. NewcastleGateshead’s Inward Investment Team provides a range of services to potential and existing investors. Our service is bespoke and is led by client needs. For more information visit www.InvestNewcastleGateshead.com Follow us on twitter @tynetoinvest

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Simply Coursing With Energy WE TAKE A LOOK A LEADING TRAINING COMPANY TARGET TRAINING ASSOCIATES AND THE WAY IN WHICH THEIR COURSES CAN HELP THOSE WORKING IN THE ENERGY SECTOR AND BEYOND.

or years, many otherwise happy members of staff can go through their job struggling with issues that take the shine off their performance, or simply unaware that with the right help they could take their careers to a new level. In these busy times it is perfectly normal for many of us to forget to stop, take stock and think about undertaking something fresh and inspiring which could fully recharge our professional lives. Spring is a fantastic time to look forward to making changes that will really help your career blossom. Target Training Associates are a forward-thinking training company that works with organisations within the energy sector and other industries, in order to deliver some truly first-class training results. The courses, all of which are led by dynamic and experienced trainers such as Managing Director Ralph Moody, include PTT Train the Trainer and an Advanced PTT Train the Trainer, Foundation Management Development Programme (FMDP) and Management Development Programme (MDP), Presentation and Pitching Techniques, plus other courses and qualifications.

Many people within oil and gas or other areas of energy have found that they require the very best standards of training for diverse areas of their business. Also, as regards management, many professionals have also sought to hone their skills particularly in managing delegation, maintaining motivation and dealing with conflict. Two courses which have proven to be of particular interest and benefit to those within energy and related industries include PTT Train the Trainer and the Foundation Management Development Programme (FMDP).

Target Training Associates are well-known for their Professional Training Techniques (PTT) Train the Trainer courses. Each course is well-subscribed and the frequent feedback that the company receives is that people quite simply find them highly effective. The reasons for this are varied but straightforward. Firstly, Ralph heads up a team of well-respected trainers who are engaging and approachable personalities. They are all experienced and have been proven in their field. Not only that, but the courses have been designed to be packed with

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substance and are all bona fide, accredited with the Institute of Leadership & Management (ILM). Great training is not always easy to pull off, but the Target team are experts who appear to genuinely understand training. They practice what they preach – which is how they know it works. Not for them simply handing out a few sheets and lecturing the participants; instead they make training fun, informative and well worth the time. Ralph and the team always look to inspire and motivate, taking a switched on approach that sees participants progress and grow, time and again.

The team have also been delighted by the popularity of their Foundation Management Development Programme (FMDP) courses. In straightened economic times, this is no surprise. After all, effective management is essential for organisations to thrive, never more so than in times where ‘survival of the fittest’ applies. Bad management can have far-reaching consequences – even resulting in the loss of thousands of jobs - whereas dynamic, inspirational management can give a company the leading edge in tough economic times and

can be significant factor in a company’s success. Target Training Associates run management training courses that aim to help managers perform to the best of their ability and get the best out of others. The Foundation Management Development Programme is designed for those about to undertake their first line management role. Attending a course that lines professional people up to succeed as motivational managers is of great importance, ensuring that companies help people in the right way at the right stage of their career. The FMDP courses are also recognised by the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) and aspects that are covered include: Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) – Understanding Personalities, Characteristics of Effective Managers, Effective Leadership, Appraisal Delivery, Time Management, Managing and Leading Meetings, Workforce

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Development, Delegation, Conflict Management and Managing Difficult People and Motivation. This has proven to be a comprehensive and powerful combination of topics for professionals who are looking to move upwards and make a real difference.

Ralph is often overwhelmed by the positive feedback that his team receive. Participants write with thanks for the high quality of training and for making a course enjoyable and easy to understand. Some say it changes their lives. A look at their website show an enviable array of testimonials. One NOF Energy participant said after her course: “FMDP was excellent and as a result of this course I am now more aware of the tools I can use to become an effective manager. I would like to thank Target Training for delivering such a superb course.”

So what’s their secret? Apart from possessing experience and genuine flair this team really to do love to share knowledge and techniques and pride themselves on filling attendees with confidence. As we all know, confidence can lead to great things. Target Training Associates’ courses are easy to attend as they are held all over the UK. They are also happy to organise bespoke courses for companies in-house. Their places fill up fast, but this accommodating team are always ready to help with training needs, so they are a name worth remembering. Who knows? Some great training, a few new techniques and a little added confidence could be all it takes to see your career really fly this spring. To learn more about Target Training Associates and their courses please visit www.targettrg.co.uk; call 01665 605 695 or email info@targettrg.co.uk

An attendee from Sellafield was hugely positive, saying: “All of the course was done well. We were all involved and I found this to be fantastic. I have a lot to take back. Don’t change!”

NORTH EAST SMES You can get up to £3500 of funding for a Business Improvement Project Recruit a Science, Technology, Engineering Masters/Doctoral Newcastle Uni student for up to 24 weeks to undertake a bespoke in depth project Get a 50% subsidy towards their employment costs and a grant for project set up Supervision throughout placement from University Academic specialised in the project area

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Take advantage of this ERDF funded project to help improve your company’s performance

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Then contact Postgraduates for Business Tel: 0191 222 5259 Email: Melanie.dunnett@ncl.ac.uk www.ncl.ac.uk/business/knowledge/NSC_SupportPartnerships.htm Follow us @postgrads4busin Facebook us www.facebook.com/NCLUniStempostgradfunding

Endeavour Partnership is widely recognised as the leading firm of commercial lawyers in the Tees Valley. Endeavour acts exclusively on behalf of businesses across all sectors and has many clients in the engineering, manufacturing and oil and gas industries.

T: 01642 610300 W: endeavourpartnership.com

Technip Umbilical Systems

Technip Umbilical Systems has a 30-year legacy of excellence in engineering, manufacturing, project execution and creating superior umbilical solutions for every project and environment all across the globe

www.technip.com

Helping Business Succeed Internationally UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) is the government organisation that helps UK-based companies succeed in the global marketplace and assists overseas companies to invest in the UK economy. UKTI focuses on the sectors and markets where its work can add the most value for the UK economy with North East exports in excess of £13.5 billion in goods and services annually. We have products and services specifically designed for companies new to export and those experienced exporters. Our regionally based International Trade Advisers are ready to help your business access the wealth of knowledge and experience of the 2,000 UKTI employees based in the UK, and over 150 overseas offices in 100 markets. To find out more please call the international trade hotline on 0845 0505054 or email enquiries@uktinortheast.org.uk.

Export Week - High Growth Markets: 13-17 May North East exports grew by £158m last year fuelled by growth in High Growth Markets. Asia saw growth in excess of 25% and is now the North East’s third-largest export market worth £1.8bn whilst Thailand is the region’s fastest-growing market with an increase of 70% to give a total of £496m. It is clear that high growth markets offer substantial export potential for North East companies and Export Week - High Growth Markets is the ideal place to discover what potential these markets offer your business so join us at one or more of these events. May 13, 2013 - Introducing Export Week for High Growth Markets: This event will introduce Export Week - High Growth Markets and the full programme of events planned throughout the week. May 14, 2013 - New to Export - High Growth Markets are open to you: This event is designed to outline the significant support available to help companies within the North East realise their export potential to these highly attractive markets. May 15, 2013 - Business security - how to protect your business, employees and IP: This event will cover a range of security topics applicable to high growth markets. May 16, 2013 - North East Exporters’ Dinner: This event is a culmination of all NE export awards for 2012/13 and will see one company crowned North East Exporter of the year. May 17, 2013 - High Growth Markets - How UKTI can help experienced exporters: This event will demonstrate the significant support for North East businesses in accessing high growth markets. To find out more or register for any events please visit www.ukti.gov.uk/northeast.

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etween the 9th and 11th of January this year an IOSH Managing safely course was completed onboard the Intership Barge ‘Camelot’ moored in the anchorage of Pointe Noire the Democratic Congo of South Central Africa. Pointe Noire is one of the busiest ports along the West African coast and is the central service hub for the oil and gas industry of the region. Barge Camelot is the largest of Intership’s six barges at 190 metres wide x 445 metres long with an accommodation capacity of 850 people. Intership engaged the services of DGA Safety to get as many of their managers and supervisors through this single course. Due to the activities ongoing on the barge at the time, as the barge makes ready to begin an eighteen month contract for Dynamic Industries on behalf of Chevron, it was a challenge for Intership & DGA to get the personnel released from their regular duties. DGA working with senior Intership managers was able to structure the course around the working days of the

delegates, by starting very early and having a long break late morning through early afternoon before picking up the course again the course was completed and nine managers and supervisors completed the course and successfully passed the written assessment. David Collier – Director of DGA commented: ”DGA’s flexible and client focused approach resulted in a very productive and successful course, we look forward to receiving the projects from the delegates in due course and awarding all successful delegates their IOSH Managing Safely certificates”

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IN THESE TOUGHER AUSTERE TIMES IT IS ALL TOO EASY TO PUT THE TRAINING BUDGET ON THE BACK BURNER AND TO NEGLECT BOTH YOURSELF AND YOUR TEAM. HOWEVER, LONGER TERM THIS COULD BE A FALSE ECONOMY.

WORDS: SUSAN STANIFORTH, TRAINING TEAM LEADER, ABERDEEN & GRAMPIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

raining can significantly boost individual productivity, moral and motivation giving a direct positive impact to the team, company and the all-important bottom line of profit. It may not be possible or practical to award a 5% increase on a salary but as little as £276 will bring enhanced business skills and a new enthusiasm that will more than pay for itself in a very short space of time. As a staff retention strategy, training helps to improve figures and indeed it must be more cost effective to train existing staff than have the laborious and expensive option of having to recruit and train. We all have our own preferred method of learning new information. Very often people are not aware of the option that works best for them. For visual learners it is extremely difficult to absorb information given to us via our ears. If you are an auditory learner it is not important or necessary for you to “see” the information. If you are a kinaesthetic learner, it may be easier for you to practice what you are learning and then remember and recall.

It does not matter which method of learning best suits your learning style as everyone is catered for on Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce courses. There is a mix of auditory and visual teaching as well as practical exercises to make sure you are able to take your new skills back to work and benefit from using them. The most popular courses are our one day Essential Supervisors and the two day Essential Manager courses. These are supplemented with additional topics that complement and support the business with Communications Skills, Motivation, Report Writing or Coaching. New to our schedule this year is:-

This is an introduction to the environmental legislation and policy framework through to ISO14001. Understand the implications and how to make improvements.

Here you will learn how to make a robust application for local or national funds

People with resilience cope better with changes, deadlines and setbacks as well as many of personal life challenges. Studies have shown resilience is a skill that can be learned.

A less pleasant task that has to be performed in work and life is delivering bad news. This interactive workshop is designed to help you feel more confident and teaches you how to impart distressing information in a sensitive and professional manner. www.agcc.co.uk/skills 01224 343 917

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OPENNESS SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASES ENGAGEMENT AND MOTIVATION. YET, HOW MANY LEADERS UNDER THE CONSTANT PRESSURE TO PERFORM, DARE TO BE REAL, MESSY, FALLIBLE HUMAN BEINGS?

WORDS: JULIETTE LEE

eyond the rhetoric, creating an engaging culture requires a real belief that people make a difference. It is a true leader who mindful of this, seeks and accepts feedback when they behave in ways that constrict the life breath of their organisation. When there is no freedom of speech, conversation burrows deeper into irrelevant detail, relationships petrify and cultures freeze over in fear. Giving and receiving feedback requires risk on both parties. In my work as a coach, the messenger is in just as vulnerable a position as the client. Often, beneath my composed professional exterior, my heart has been pounding when delivering some insight that I know could well backfire. Only when there is a willingness on the part of my client to see the world through another’s eyes, will

the message be heard, understood and acted upon. Vulnerability is not a weakness. It is an act of courage and means risking being hurt emotionally or financially. Our ego self does not take kindly to exposure. Pride can create monsters. How many times have we seen leaders making disastrous decisions because they are so lost in an inflated image of themselves. Incredulous, we wonder why on earth no one seemed to be able to hold up the mirror of reality before Armageddon? History is littered with egotistical leaders reeking havoc. However, it is too easy to hide behind the shield of other’s failings. Scapegoats are a dangerous defence mechanism. So let’s bring it home. How many times have you held up your hand and admitted you got it wrong? When you did, what was it about the culture around you that made it safe enough for you to do that? On the other hand, think of the times that you didn’t tackle an issue because failure wasn’t an option?

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• What is not working and how is my behaviour contributing to the problem? and because balance is critical: • What is working and how is my behaviour contributing to that success? Without trust there is no vulnerability. Without vulnerability, there is no creativity, no growth and no engagement.

About Juliette Lee Juliette brings a refreshingly different approach to leadership development and change management. A former chemical engineer with a decade of experience in ICI and Zeneca, combined with ten years as an executive coach, she creates and facilitates cutting edge programmes for CEO’s, MD’s and their management teams. Her recent clients include Tallent Automotive Ltd, NHS Bolton, Rio Tinto, Tata Steel and a wide range of SME’s. Winner of Vistage Star Speaker award 2010, in the last three years, Juliette has challenged the hearts and minds of over 400 CEO’s and MD’s throughout the UK. Originally from Glasgow, Juliette now lives in Yorkshire where she indulges her passion for horses, singing as part of York City Gospel Choir and creative writing. Contact t: 01904 625 332 m: 07740 416 891 e: juliette@juliettelee.co.uk www.juliettelee.co.uk

North East Centre For Offshore Medicals Medicals to UK00A standards by experienced partners. Approved list of medical examiners for British Gas Offshore. Facilities: Norweigen and Dutch Sectors. Full record keeping.

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Issue 3 out Autumn/Winter 2013

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WORDS: NEIL CARRINGTON CHIEF EXECUTIVE, CONFIANCE EMPLOYMENT SERVICES LIMITED

sk any HR person about the greatest challenge in their job and they will probably say, jokingly of course, people. However, realistically the biggest challenge must be legislation or more importantly the continuously changing legislation under which we all operate. Most legislation is now introduced by Europe and whilst mainly well intentioned it can make running a business even more challenging than it is anyway.

to ease the administrative burden. We have for example seen the qualifying period for employees to claim unfair dismissal and have the right to written reasons for dismissal increased from one to two years on 6 April 2012.

Recent examples of changes to legislation that impact upon a business, either coming into force or announced, include the changes in rights to parental leave, consultation on changes to the TUPE regulations, flexible working, the unfair dismissal qualifying period and pensions auto-enrolment.

• Automatically enrol certain workers into a pension scheme

All of the changes will have an impact of some degree and managing the changes can sometimes feel like a full time job before the day to day work begins.

Whilst larger organisations are well prepared for the new regime smaller organisations may not have been fully briefed by their advisers as to what may be required of them as a result of these changes. Is your current pension scheme actually fit for purpose and will it be approved by the Pensions Regulator?

Small businesses in particular may find it almost impossible to keep up with legislation which is a shame because it is not all bad now that the UK government are trying gradually

Pensions Auto Enrolment One recent change in particular that is now in law was the introduction of auto enrolment for pensions which requires employers to;

• Make contributions on their workers’ behalf • Register with the Pensions Regulator • Provide workers with information about the changes and how they will affect them.

It is important that companies ensure that this is done before their staging date because the reporting requirements to the Pensions Regulator are quite onerous and also employees do need to be made aware that they will also be making a contribution, a fact that didn’t really come across in the TV advertising that was carried out by the DWP. More information is available at www.thepensionsregulator.gov.uk Global Reach Many companies involved within the energy industry may use a workforce that is employed outside the UK and the recent statements in the media at the time of the March budget have cast doubt upon the legality of these offshore employment arrangements. One common misconception is that Tax and Social Security are the same but actually there are two different sets of

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legislation.

employment cycle in small ways or more comprehensively.

Within that legislation are further distinctions and for example in relation to the energy sector, Mariners are covered by a separate strand of legislation. It is believed that this specific legislation will endure even if proposed changes to other legislation does occur within the forthcoming 2014 Finance Bill which was announced in the March budget and on which consultation is about to begin.

It is still the truest statement ever made about employees. People are your most important asset!

The energy industry is global by nature and it is imperative that an operator has in place a robust efficient employment arrangement that allows flexibility and ease of movement of its workforce across borders whilst ensuring compliance with all appropriate legislation. This also includes the issues of work permits, visas and other immigration matters. It is also important not to lose sight of the fact that each member of your workforce will one day want to retire and will want to do so knowing that there will be no need to worry about pension, health cover and all the other benefits that are often thought about when it is really too late to do so. There is a lot to think about as an employer and it starts on the day that you identify the need for a person to fulfil a role within your company. There are organisations out there who can help to ease the burden throughout the

For more information about our services call the Commercial team on (00) 44 1481 711828 or visit www.cesglobalsolutions.com

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Tees Valley – A thriving hub for energy businesses THE OIL, GAS AND SUBSEA SECTORS AROUND THE WORLD ARE EXPERIENCING A SURGE IN ACTIVITY AND INVESTMENT, COMBINED WITH THE LONG TERM POTENTIAL IN RENEWABLE ENERGY INDUSTRIES THESE SECTORS REPRESENT A SIGNIFICANT OPPORTUNITY.

ith a rich industrial heritage Tees Valley has a long track record of delivering large scale projects in oil and gas, fabrication and decommissioning. Combined with a need for portside facilities with deep water access and heavy lift capabilities alongside good infrastructure and logistics and a skilled workforce the Tees Valley is well placed to offer the solution for companies in the sector.

Tees Valley is also a thriving hub for other types of renewables energy. Mayor recent investments include Harvest Energy biodesel facility, Sembcorp wood burning power facility and Air Products, which recently began work on a new 49MW, £300m waste to energy plant in Billingham.

Over 200 companies based in the Tees Valley already operate in the emerging offshore wind sector and the area has the world’s largest cluster of subsea cabling and trenching companies.

The Tees Valley has 12 Enterprise Zone sites including both new and established business and industrial parks and larger cleared industrial sites. Offering both tax and planning incentives the Tees Valley Enterprise Zone has already attracted companies in the oil, gas and energy sectors.

Being one of only 6 Centres for Offshore Renewable Engineering (CORE) in England ensures that businesses looking to invest in the sector will get the most comprehensive support available.

Propipe moved into a unit on Queens Meadow in Hartlepool in 2012 taking advantage of the Business Rate Relief incentives available on the site. The company manufactures specialist

pipeline equipment for the oil and gas industry. Around a million and a half people of working age can be found within 30 miles of Tees Valley and with a long history of manufacturing and engineering the area has a ready supply of people with the skills and experience needed in the energy sector. The areas training providers have a reputation for engineering excellence. Over 7,000 students enrol in further education engineering courses in the Tees Valley each year with a further 9,000 taking engineering courses at the North East’s 6 universities. As well as the business benefits the Tees Valley has organisations willing and able to help companies to move to and grow in the area. The Business Investment team at Tees Valley Unlimited work with companies as well as the public and private sector partners and are on hand to offer help and support to businesses.

For information about the opportunities and support available for companies in Tees Valley contact the Business Investment Team at Tees Valley Unlimited. Tel: 0164 252 440

Email: info@teesvalleyunlimited.gov.uk Web: www.teesvalleyunlimited.gov.uk

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Rolling Stock Maintenance category at the Railtex Awards 2013, the UK’s leading rail event covering railway equipment, systems and services from 30th April to 2nd May at Earls Court 2, London.

Dave Howlett

Specialised Management Services achieve 55% Financial Growth Specialised Management Services Ltd (SMS), a subsidiary of Alderley plc, announces today the ongoing successful growth of the company under new General Manager, Dave Howlett. Since taking on his new role in November 2011, SMS have achieved their best ever financial results with turnover increasing by 55% from the previous financial year. Secured orders during the year have seen SMS deliver into the Norwegian and North American sectors as well as continuing their growth within the UK Continental Shelf. Dave brings more than 20 years’ experience within both electrical and hydraulic engineering disciplines having proven experience in design, project management and team leadership. Dave joined SMS in 2005 as a Senior Proposals Engineer and progressed to Project and Operations Manager before being promoted to General Manager. Tony Mansfield, Managing Director,

SMS, comments “This has been a fantastic year for SMS, not only have we seen a financial growth of 55% but we have also increased our employee numbers by 31%. Dave has been instrumental at SMS in helping drive the business forward. It has been through his dedication and team leadership that we have become a trusted partner for major EPC’s and producers within the oil and gas industry.” Dave Howlett, General Manager says, “We have always had a good team at SMS and without everyone’s dedication we would not have grown to where we are today.” Dave continues by saying, “My role as General Manager is to grow and strengthen the team at SMS, with the ultimate goal to continue to be the best in this market increasing service and quality.”

Houghton International to sponsor Rolling Stock Maintenance category at Railtex Awards 2013 Newcastle based specialist traction motor and MA set repairer Houghton International are to sponsor the

The company will also be exhibiting at the show and on stand G31 will be highlighting HiTRAX™, its solution for life extending traction motors and MA Sets, and HiTRANS™, its patent pending transient dynamic MA set test process. Michael Mitten, Chief Executive Officer commented; “We are pleased to support the first ever Railtex Awards in recognising excellence and innovation within the industry which is central to our strategy to develop long-term partnerships with our customers. By listening to our customer’s needs and understanding the markets in which they operate and how they add value to their customers we are able to solve their problems and provide a flexible commercial framework that adds value to their businesses.”

OIS successfully completes sixteenth rigless suspended well abandonment campaign Offshore Installation Services (OIS), an Acteon company, has successfully completed its 16th rigless suspendedwell abandonment campaign involving multiple operators in the Southern North Sea. The multi-operator model for programmes of this kind can deliver significant customer benefits in

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terms of cost-effectiveness. A total of nine mudline wells in categories 1, 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3 were abandoned during the operation including four on behalf of GDF SUEZ E&P UK Ltd. and two for RWE Dea. The scope of work for OIS, part of Acteon’s activity and resource management business, included the initial approval processes; formulating the contracting strategy; developing detailed procedures; procurement; appointing specialist service providers; overall logistics; and recycling and disposing of the recovered wellheads. OIS conducted the two-phase abandonment operation from a chartered DP2-class anchor-handling tug supply vessel (AHTS). During phase one, a proprietary twin lowpressure packer tool from Acteon sister company Claxton Engineering Services Ltd. was deployed through the vessel’s moon pool to set cement plugs across all the casing annuli. The second phase involved abrasive severance of the wells using Claxton Engineering’s SABRE cutting tool. “We have a strong track record in providing commercially efficient decommissioning solutions which are particularly important for nonrevenue-generating assets,” said OIS vice president of commercial and business development Tom Selwood. “Multi-operator campaigns such as this, enable operators to share the associated costs which, when combined with the rigless nature of our offering, makes this the most cost-effective way to comply with UK oil and gas decommissioning legislation.” Max Proctor, GDF SUEZ E&P UK drilling manager, added, “We are committed to fulfilling our responsibility to the

environment as an operator and are leading the way in the North Sea with the decommissioning of redundant wells. We started this campaign immediately after the request came from DECC for operators to fully abandon suspended wells by reviewing the history of the wells and confirming the status of each with an independent well examiner. OIS is a valued partner of GDF SUEZ and the success of this project is testament to the team’s strong technical skills and experience.”

to be working with Mellitah Oil and Gas B.V. to deliver this prestigious global project and look forward to a long partnership to ensure the timely installation and success of the new FSO.” Houlder has been supported in securing the project by UK Export Finance (“UKEF”) and Barclays Bank.

Since 1996, the OIS team has successfully completed more than 100 well decommissioning projects without a single lost-time incident.

Nortech Group wins newcomer of the year award at Tees Valley Business Awards

Houlder secures major new international Project Management contract UK employee owned business, Houlder has been awarded a three year contract to deliver Project Management Consultancy services to Libya’s Mellitah Oil and Gas B.V. (“MOG”) in relation to the design, construction, delivery and hook-up of a new Floating Storage and Offloading System (“FSO”) and associated subsea systems. The new Gaza FSO will replace the existing Sloug FSO which has been on site since 1989. The contract win is a significant success for the company and will secure up to 30 high value marine industry jobs for the duration of the project. Rupert Hare, Chief Executive Officer commented “We are delighted

Nortech Group, the professional engineering design and project management company, has beaten off tough competition to win the Tees Valley finals of the North East Business Awards. Nortech, which is based at Wynyard, Stockton-On-Tees relegated competing companies Reef Subsea Power and Umbilical and Wells Solutions to runners-up positions in the Newcomer of the Year category at the prestigious event held at Teesside University. The rapidly expanding firm, which now employs 71 members of staff, serves the process, offshore, onshore oil & gas, steel and iron industries. Bryan Bunn, Managing Director of Nortech, said: “As a company, we’re delighted to win the Newcomer of the Year for the Tees Valley region. It really is the icing on the cake for a fantastic two years in business. “The company has experienced phenomenal growth since we set up

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in April 2011. We’re very proud of our achievements and are looking forward to further building on our reputation in the expanding oil and gas market.”

Flourishing accountancy firm grows it workforce North East accountancy practice Evolution LLP has expanded its team by recruiting a talented trainee to help drive the business forward.

for my future and I had heard positive things from others I knew, who told me about its great reputation.” Evolution, which currently employs around 50 people, is located at Wynyard Park and was formed in 2010 following the acquisition of the three former North East offices of Vantis plc in Middlesbrough, Hartlepool and Darlington. It has since grown rapidly and now acts for a wide range of clients from sole traders to multinationals, offering a broad range of services including personal tax returns and tax planning for high net-worth individuals.

The Tees Valley firm has enlisted Beth Telfer as part of the fast growing company’s long term plans to expand its offering and client base. Beth, from Sunderland, is currently working towards her accountancy qualifications and is studying via the North East Chamber of Commerce. She joins the firm following an 18-month stint working at another large accountancy practice, having left school in 2011. Managing partner Martin Barber said: “It’s great to be able to continue growing our team as the company expands and Beth is now the seventh new member of staff we have taken on in the last two years. We’re always looking to add good people to the business and, should more people with the right mix of skills and work ethos come our way, then we may look to grow the team further.” Beth said: “Evolution is a real up-andcoming firm in the North East, and I am really impressed with the value the business places on its people. I wanted to join the firm because it offered a better career opportunity

Oil and Gas firm set to expand again OIL AND GAS engineering firm FES International is already planning a further expansion to its business, after moving into its new manufacturing base at the start of the year. Flexible Engineered Solutions moved into new state-of-the-art premises as part of a multi-million pound investment programme at the start of the year but a string of new orders mean that the firms already considering expansion. FES International, which specialises in manufacturing fluid transfer systems for subsea oil and gas extraction, moved to its new 35,000sq ft manufacturing headquarters in North East England in January, but with a number of big deals in the pipeline the firm is already considering adding a further 10,000 sq ft expansion to the

new site. FES managing director Rob Anderson said: “Part of the attraction of the new site was that as well as giving us the modern facilities needed to keep us at the cutting edge of technical innovation, it also gave us the room to grow. “We never thought we’d be thinking about expanding again so quickly but a large part of our success has been built by meeting clients’ demands whether that is a product delivered inside a tight timeframe or in this case adding further capacity to make sure we can service new orders.” Since the purchase on the new premises was signed at the end of October 2012, Mr Anderson said the company had already made three new appointments. Recruitment was set to continue, he said, as the firm looked for experienced project managers and design engineers to help deliver the jobs in its growing order book, to clients that include Shell, TOTAL, Mearsk and Bluewater. Mr Anderson added: “Delivering high quality heavy engineering within the oil and gas industry’s tight timeframes is the challenge and we’ve always risen to it. Our new premises are fully kitted out with brand new machinery and we’re looking forward to maintaining our momentum. In August last year, the company reported strong growth and more than doubled its turnover on the previous year, to £15m. To help capture new business, the company has wellestablished satellite offices in oilproducing hotspots including Brazil and Singapore and Houston. FES International, established in 1997, estimates that 90 per cent of its products are made within a 35 mile

ENERGY BURST EDITION 2

radius of Blyth and employs around 300 to 400 people in the supply chain. Its products, including diverless bend stiffener connectors (DBSCs) and fluid swivels are used by some of the world’s biggest oil producers, including Shell and Total.

Stork Technical Services scoops third major industry award for hot bolt clamp technology Stork Technical Services, the leading global provider of knowledge-based asset integrity management services for the oil and gas, chemical and power sectors, has won the ‘The Innovator’ accolade at this year’s SPE Offshore Achievement Awards for its industryfirst hot bolt clamp technology. The Innovator award honours excellence in innovative technological solutions developed in the UK for the offshore energy sector. Stork was presented with the award last night (21 March) at the 27th SPE Offshore Achievement Awards annual ceremony held at Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre in the UK. Erik-Jan Bijvank, SVP – UK & Africa for Stork Technical Services, said: “We are delighted to have won our third major industry award for the hot bolt clamp. This once again demonstrates our commitment to technology innovation and delivering our expert service offering in the most efficient and safe manner. I would like to personally thank our onsite machining & bolting team for their hard work

and determination to develop and commercialise a product that delivers significant bottom-line benefits for our customers.” Stork’s onsite machining & bolting team, led by general manager, Pete Sheves, developed the technology in direct response to safety concerns raised by Operators relating to instances of uncontrolled pressure releases due to stud failures and future potential releases due to severe stud corrosion. The innovative and multi awardwinning system enables the safe removal and replacement of corroded bolts on live flanged connections that have eight bolts or less, with no disruption to ongoing production. This removes the activity from planned or unplanned shutdown programmes thereby reducing downtime / shutdown, the ancillary services required (e.g. nitrogen purging) and the associated demands for additional bed space to cover the shutdown activities.

The technology allows an Operator to eliminate an identified threat of pressurised release almost instantly and improves the safety for offshore operatives and the asset as a whole by reducing the likelihood of hydrocarbon releases which can have a devastating impact offshore. Stork Technical Services Holding B.V. (Chamber of Commerce nr. 32170594, Utrecht) is part of the Stork Concern. To date, in excess of 1,200 four bolt flanged connections have been reworked with a 100% success rate while fitting new studs to the relevant pipeline specification. Fraser Coull, Operations Support Director for Stork Technical Services, said: “We are very pleased with the initial success of the hot bolt clamp; a technology which was taken to market less than a year ago. We have already established an impressive track record in the North Sea and I am confident our recent industry recognition will help us continue to grow our business on a global basis.

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ENERGY BURST EDITION 2

ONE OF THE BIGGEST VALUES OF NOF ENERGY MEMBERSHIP IS THE ORGANISATION’S EXTENSIVE NETWORK. THE ABILITY TO BUILD NEW RELATIONSHIPS AND DEVELOP EXISTING PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN MEMBERS HAS ALWAYS BEEN AN ATTRACTIVE PROPOSITION FOR SUPPLY CHAIN COMPANIES.

his network is not only built and maintained by NOF Energy, it is energised by the organisation whose team continually work to find new opportunities to bring members together to do business and collaborate. In addition to NOF Energy’s impressive member-to-member networking opportunities, the organisation works closely with a number of operators and major contractors that are part of its Strategic Partner network. “The Strategic Partner programme has dual benefits for the UK energy industry,” says Joanne Leng MBE, Director, Business Development at NOF Energy. “Our members have the opportunity to engage with some of industry’s key players while, at the same time, our Strategic Partners can access our membership to identify new suppliers.”

Currently, within NOF Energy’s Strategic Partner network are 16 globally-recognised companies from the Oil & Gas, Nuclear and Offshore Renewables sectors. These include, amongst others, Petrobras, Aker Solutions, TAQA Bratani, EDF Energy and Foster Wheeler. “These organisations are involved in high-profile, international energy projects and manage sophisticated supply chain operations,” said Joanne. “With the ever-increasing need to reduce cost, but enhance service and productivity, these companies are continually looking to refine and add to their supply chains, which, therefore, presents positive opportunities for NOF Energy members.” Tony Maplesden, Business Unit Director – BS1 from Strategic Partner, Wood Group PSN, says: “Wood Group PSN joined the NOF

ENERGY BURST EDITION 2

suite of support services, which provides supply chain businesses with new business. “NOF Energy acts as an interface to the supply chain for Strategic Partners,” says Joanne. “We provide assistance to source products, services and new technologies from our 7,000-strong UK suppliers database, which is very attractive to these companies.”

Energy network as a Strategic Partner in order to have access to the NOF Energy oil & gas supply chain.” “In the relatively short period of our association with NOF Energy, the support we have received from the organisation has been excellent and they have been fast to respond.” NOF Energy Strategic Partners keen to engage with the membership are provided with a

One of the North East’s Leading Independent Accountants, Business and Tax Advisors We are a professional, innovative, friendly and approachable firm whose values and ethos permeate through our work and approach to clients We have local national and international clients and contacts We want to help our clients succeed; let us help you!

Tel: 01642 221 331 | www.evolutionllp.com

Among the services provided to Strategic Partners are the opportunity to take part in some of NOF Energy’s calendar of networking lunches as well as events such as its annual national conference and exhibition, Energy: A Balanced Future, which attracts energy industry executives, politicians, business leaders and suppliers to discuss the issues affecting the industry. Strategic Partners also take part in NOF Energy’s Meet the Buyer Day, which has consistently produced mutually-beneficial results for the partners and suppliers showcasing their products and services.

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Team member spotlight Paul Livingstone, Business Development Manager

Q> A<

What does your job at NOF Energy involve?

My role within NOF Energy comprises of managing the membership process and actively working on behalf of our member companies within the oil, gas, nuclear and offshore renewables sectors. With over 420 members I work to identify global business opportunities then work with our member companies to help them secure a share of them.

How long have you been with the organisation and what sort of projects have you worked on with NOF Energy?

I have been with NOF Energy for three years and during that period have been involved in various projects aimed at improving the Industry Intelligence service and also setting up a member company network care programme which links to our new CRM system.

Q> A<

What is your favourite part of the job?

The external activity is the favourite part of my role, visiting member companies at their premises for facility tours and meetings, gaining an understanding of their businesses and how NOF Energy can help them achieve their business development objectives. The overseas market visits are also a really interesting part of the role and have enabled me to visit Operator’s and Contractor’s in Brazil and Libya, amongst others.

Why do you think companies benefit from being members of NOF Energy?

NOF Energy membership can help companies increase their network of contacts across the Oil, Gas, Nuclear and Offshore Wind sectors, raise the profile of their organisation within the energy sector and also help to identify possible business opportunities. Our membership services are designed to be used as an extension of our member companies Business Development and Marketing teams.

Q> A<

What are your interests outside of work?

Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my wife Claire & 18 month old son Samuel. At present most weekends involve a trip to a ‘soft play’ warehouse which I tend to enjoy just as much as Samuel. Other passions include supporting Sunderland Association Football Club (Which I have done since 1985) playing 5-aside football, squash, watching horror, action and sci-fi movies and enjoying the odd pint of Guinness.

If you could meet any person alive or dead who would it be and why?

It would be great to meet Peter Kay, my favourite comedian. I

PAUL LIVINGSTONE

like to tell the odd joke myself (much to my colleagues’ annoyance) so maybe we could review material over a pint of Guinness.

If you could take five items to a desert island what would they be?

A fishing rod, swiss army knife, wind up radio, inflatable pillow and some sun cream. When do I go?

ENERGY BURST EDITION 2

Jubilee Dinner, Strategic Event Partner

THIS YEAR MARKS THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF NOF ENERGY AND, IN THAT TIME, THE ORGANISATION HAS GROWN BEYOND RECOGNITION AND MADE HUGE STRIDES IN ESTABLISHING A ROBUST AND EFFECTIVE PORTFOLIO OF BUSINESS SUPPORT SERVICES THAT PROVIDE VALUABLE SUPPORT TO ITS MEMBERSHIP AND WIDER ENERGY SECTOR SUPPLY CHAIN NETWORK.

• 1988 saw the creation of Northern Offshore Federation. As the North East began to establish its capabilities for the oil & gas sector, on the back of its heritage of ship building and heavy engineering, the Northern Development Company (NDC) collaborated with AMEC to create the Northern Offshore Federation with the aim of creating a regional cluster of suppliers. • Established during the heyday of oil & gas in the UK, the organisation started life in a small office in Sunderland, Tyne & Wear with just three staff. The Northern Offshore Federation, heavily supported by the NDC and AMEC was solely reliant upon public funding at that point. • The Northern Offshore Federation’s first Director was Alastair Rodgers (now retired) and its founding Chairman, Dennis Clark (currently Honorary President). • Some of the first members included Union Transport, LV Shipping and Barrier Ltd.

• 1996 marked the start of a strong period of growth for the organisation. The on-going development of the UK oil & gas sector led to more work for the supply chain, this also brought a move to new offices in Washington, Tyne & Wear and expansion of the team to seven members of staff. • Around this time the organisation started to offer international business support with various trade missions being organised for members. • In 1999 the company name changed to simply NOF and a new brand identity created. • By 2000 membership had grown steadily and had reached around 150 companies with nine members of staff. • Due to the growth in international opportunities, the NOF Export Club was born. • 2002 marked the retirement of Alastair Rodgers and Geoff Race took over as Director. • In 2005 Geoff Race retired and the newly appointed George Rafferty became Director. George’s appointment was a catalyst for change that would

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transform the organisation, creating a strategy for future growth. • The organisation began to look at new ways to commercialise its activities that would support, and eventually replace, public funding, maintaining its not for profit ethos. • By 2005 170 companies were in membership. • 2006 saw a new strategy implemented for the organisation, its primary focus being business development support for members and assistance to diversify into other energy sectors such as nuclear and offshore renewables. • The new strategy led to the creation of a new company that was fully incorporated and limited by guarantee. Along with a comprehensive portfolio of services, the business went from a regional body to a national organisation. • In 2007 Subsea North East was established with NOF Energy providing support. • On 1st January 2007, NOF Energy began trading. • The first member to join the new NOF Energy was Wilton Group, which has continued to be a strong supporter of the organisation. • In September 2007 NOF Energy hosted its first nuclear supply chain event • 2008 marked the launch of NOF Energy’s Global Partners programme

and international alliances. • 2009 saw NOF Energy organise its first offshore wind event. • 2011 was a significant year in NOF Energy’s history as the last public sector grant funding was received in March. • Diversification continued in 2011 with the creation of Energi Coast in July, the steering group was launched at a high-profile networking dinner in October. • 2011 also saw the introduction of Strategic Partners to the network. This classification of membership is specifically designed for operators and major contractors.

Libya, India, Western Australia, Brazil and many European destinations. • Over 500 companies have travelled overseas with the NOF Energy team to meet key clients and profile their products and services in the global marketplace. • 2013, NOF Energy is 25 years old and this year is the organisations Silver Jubilee. A dinner will be held, 4th July at the Hilton Hotel, Gateshead in North East England to mark the occasion.

• In 2012 NOF Energy extended its presence with the development of a partnership with Invest NI and several members from Northern Ireland joining the network. • 2012, Asset Guardian becomes NOF Energy’s 400th member. • In March 2012 the business achieved financial viability and returned a modest surplus. • 2012 also saw the launch of a new service, Military2Energy Careers Service, which allows members to tap into a skilled engineering resource from the forces. • In 25 years NOF Energy has led in excess of 100 international business visits. • Key markets visited included: USA,

George Rafferty

For more information please visit www.nofenergy.co.uk/silverjubilee or speak to Kristie Leng on +44 (0)191 3846464

ENERGY BURST EDITION 2

NOF Energy Paint the Town Tartan at Annual Dinner SET TO THE SOUNDS OF BAGPIPES AND A BACKDROP OF TARTAN, THE NOF ENERGY ANNUAL DINNER AND AWARDS BROUGHT A TASTE OF THE HIGHLANDS TO THE HARDWICK HALL HOTEL IN COUNTY DURHAM.

ENERGY BURST EDITION 2 1

he hotel was packed to the rafters as guests from across the UK descended on Hardwick Hall to celebrate the successes of NOF Energy and its members in 2012. Widely regarded as one of the prestigious and enjoyable networking events in the energy sector, the evening, which was sponsored by Wilton Group, MTE and Ward Hadaway, highlighted the achievements of some of the leading supply chain companies and individuals. “The NOF Energy Annual Dinner and Awards is one of the most anticipated events in our calendar,” explains George Rafferty, Chief Executive of NOF Energy. “It is always a fantastic celebration of what the organisation and its members have to offer and this year’s dinner was no exception.” to do,” said George. Hosted by BBC TV presenter, Wendy Gibson, the sell-out event included a three-course meal and a performance by one of Scotland’s most successful and popular comedy stars, Andy Cameron. Putting a fresh new take on the most-traditional of Scottish musical instruments, the audience enjoyed a very unique performance from Bagpipe Rockers, the Red Hot Chilli Pipers. “Everyone expects bagpipes at a Scottish-themed event, but nobody expected what the Red Hot Chilli Pipers were going

“Their bagpipe-led versions of a number of rock classics caught everyone by surprise and were a perfect end to the evening.” Before the entertainment, NOF Energy hosted its highlyrespected annual awards. Recognising the achievements of the NOF Energy membership, the awards celebrate the quality, innovation and drive of the excellent companies in the UK energy sector supply chain. “The awards recognise the continuing excellence being

ENERGY BURST EDITION 2

regular participation at recruitment events and his new role as an Apprenticeship Ambassador. The new award for Energy Sector Diversification, sponsored by Darchem Engineering, was won by DeepOcean, a provider of safe, high quality, innovative services and technologies for the subsea industry.

demonstrated by companies within the supply chain, both within the UK and internationally, as well as the innovative approaches to meeting the technical and commercial challenges of a truly global industry,” said George. The prestigious Company of the Year Award, sponsored by Stapleton International, was won by Phusion, formerly known as Pearson Harper, a Billingham based company that provides engineering information management services, consultancy and hosted software solutions. Phusion was awarded the title for its innovation, significant growth in international markets over the past 12 months and the company’s ability to adapt to handle future expectations in the industry.

before receiving clear endorsement from industry leaders. The celebrations continued with Phusion also winning the Louisiana Economic Development-sponsored International Business Award for delivering significant growth in exports. Over the past five years, Phusion has trebled its staff worldwide and now receives 80% of its revenues from its work internationally. James Watmore of Darchem Engineering, an award-winning world class engineering company based at Stillington, Stockton-On-Tees, won the award for the Best New Talent, which was backed by the Department for Energy and Climate Change.

OSBIT Power, a Northumberland based company that provides innovative engineering solutions in offshore markets, collected the Innovation and Technology Award, sponsored by SMD.

James, who completed an Advanced Apprenticeship and trained as a welder/fabricator at South West Durham, had already gained national recognition in the sector as Nuclear Apprentice and Supply Chain Apprentice of the Year.

Judges acknowledged that OSBIT Power had researched the market to identify a clear innovation opportunity, had developed a robust, but unique, solution to a real industry problem and had overcome significant problems during the development process

He is now a Manufacturing Engineer at Darchem Engineering and is set to continue his academic studies through Higher Education. The judging panel were particularly impressed with his work to promote opportunities for apprentices within the company, his

DeepOcean won the title for its strong strategic commitment to diversification, could demonstrate strong turnover, profit, employment and investment benefits and had a clear understanding of the future market opportunities and how their experience and technology could set them apart from their competitors. “It is fantastic to see the expertise and innovation of the companies in the energy supply chain getting the recognition they deserve,” said George. “The supply chain is a jewel in the crown of British industry and the UK economy and is worth the praise!” The Awards, as ever, created an even more celebratory atmosphere at the event, priming guests for a fantastic meal and brilliant entertainment. And, no sooner had the last note been piped by the Red Hot Chilli Pipers, the networking really got going and talk of next year’s event was not far from many people’s lips. George continued: “Thanks to our headline sponsors; Wilton Group, MTE and Ward Hadaway, together with the support of our members, everyone had a wonderful evening celebrating our exceptional and innovative industry. “I have already had companies enquiring about next year’s Annual Dinner and we look forward to hosting a fantastic, and quirky, event yet again.”

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1 8

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ASME B31 QUALIFICATION . Lloyds Type Approval no hot work . safe, permanent and tamper free . quick and easy to install . significantly reduces installation costs eliminates PWHT & HAZ issues

Hospitality Sponsor

Come and visit NOF Energy at Offshore Europe 2013 Stand No: 1E111 In 2011, Offshore Europe saw record attendance levels with 32,025 unique attendees visiting the show. This number exceeding all expectations and sets a new benchmark for the 2013 event. The show, which is bi-annual and takes place at the AECC in Aberdeen also attracted in excess of 1,500 exhibitors from across the world and offers a fantastic platform for companies to showcase themselves and their products/services on a global scale. We would welcome the chance to catch up with members attending Offshore Europe, feel free to drop by the stand and meet with our stand sharing companies – A&P Group Allerton Steel Arco Ltd Arefco Special Products Limited Deepwater Corrosion Services Econosto UK Ltd Exova Harland Simon UPS Limited

Interkab (International Cable Management) PD Teesport Port of Blyth Schoeller-Bleckmann (UK) Shepcote Engineering Ltd Strategic Corrosion Management Unison Ltd Wessington Cryogenics

ENERGY BURST EDITION 2

Oil & Gas International Business Visit

NOF Energy Annual Supplier Day ONE TO ONE MEETING WITH KEY BUYERS FROM THE ENERGY SECTOR WHEN 16 May 2013 WHERE Newcastle United FC, North East England

MALAYSIA & SINGAPORE EXPLORE THE MARKET AND MEET KEY PLAYERS WHEN October WHERE Malaysia & Singapore

Energi Coast Dinner

NETWORKING LUNCH WITH GE HITACHI NUCLEAR ENERGY WHEN 4 June WHERE Hardwick Hall Hotel, North East England

OFFSHORE RENEWABLES NETWORKING DINNER WHEN 10 October WHERE North East England

Oil & Gas International Business Visit

BRAZIL EXPLORE THE MARKET AND MEET KEY PLAYERS WHEN W/C 17 June WHERE Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande do Sul NETWORKING LUNCH WITH BRASTEC WHEN 20 June WHERE Newcastle Race Course, North East England

Military2Energy Careers Event

TO BOOK

An Introduction to the Oil & Gas Sector Workshop

DELIVERED BY DOUGLAS-WESTWOOD WHEN 11 July WHERE NOF Energy office, Durham

Oil & Gas International Business Visit

SKILLS & TRAINING SPONSOR TEESSIDE UNIVERSITY WHEN 27 June WHERE Catterick Leisure Centre

VIETNAM EXPLORE THE MARKET AND MEET KEY PLAYERS WHEN September WHERE Vietnam

NOF Energy Silver Jubilee Dinner

Exhibition Stand Share

A CELEBRATION OF 25 SUCCESSFUL YEARS IN BUSINESS WHEN 4 July WHERE Hilton Hotel, Gateshead

OFFSHORE EUROPE SOLD OUT WHEN 3 to 6 September WHERE AECC, Aberdeen

Visit www.nofenergy.co.uk/events

ENERGY BURST EDITION 2

NOF ENERGY IS A HIGHLY PROACTIVE BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ORGANISATION WORKING ON BEHALF OF COMPANIES WITHIN THE OIL, GAS, NUCLEAR AND OFFSHORE RENEWABLES SECTORS. WITH OVER 400 MEMBERS THE ORGANISATION ACTIVELY WORK TO IDENTIFY GLOBAL OPPORTUNITIES WITHIN THESE SECTORS AND WORK WITH OUR MEMBERS TO HELP THEIR MARKETS SECURE A SHARE OF THEM.

Membership that adds real value, talk to us today… Joanne Leng MBE jleng@nofenergy.co.uk www.nofenergy.co.uk/joinus Scan the QR CODE to access our membership page.

NOF Energy would like to offer a warm welcome to all our new members that have recently joined us. To find out who has joined the network please visit www.nofenergy.co.uk/spotlight

Building a supply chain community for the

Membership that adds real value, talk to us todayâ&#x20AC;Ś Contact:

Joanne Leng

jleng@nofenergy.co.uk

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