VP appointment James Fisher
Today, two James Fisher and Sons’ companies, James Fisher Renewables (JF Renewables) and ScanTech Offshore (ScanTech), announce the appointment of Barry Craig to Vice President Renewables North America. The move will enable both businesses to support US offshore wind growth ambitions, by driving the identification of key strategic opportunities and local partnerships, in a bid to help accelerate the global energy transition.
The appointment is an integral part of the two companies’ renewables strategy. For ScanTech it follows significant development of its existing product portfolio for the US, with its focus on adhering to the highest emissions standards for swift, compliant deployment. While JF Renewables, which has led the charge in construction and development of over 17GW of offshore wind installed capacity in under 14-years, is primed to apply its supply chain expertise across the pond.
Joining James Fisher and ScanTech fourteen years ago as part of an acquisition, Mr Craig has since worked in a variety of operations and project management roles. As he relocates to Boston this month, he will be bringing with him a wealth of experience in the integration and deployment of sustainable solutions for energy projects, such as bubble curtains, alongside his supply chain expertise for bolstering the burgeoning US offshore wind sector. Wayne Mulhall, Managing Director at JF Renewables, says, “With all eyes on the US as it races to meet its 30GW by 2030 offshore wind target, the timing of this appointment couldn’t be better. Having established ourselves as a key player in the European renewables space, we are well placed to bring our learnings across the pond in support of a global transition towards cleaner energy. We are excited to enter this next phase of growth and are confident that with Barry at the helm, we can begin to grow market awareness in the region. This appointment marks an important first step to achieving our longer-term ambition of becoming fully embedded in-country to bolster the local offshore wind supply chain.”
The urgency for accelerated project development in the US is growing amidst the backdrop of unique regulatory challenges such as the Jones Act and local content requirements. Mr Craig comments on his role, “We’re entering the US at a pivotal moment, and I couldn’t be more excited for what’s to come. It is a fantastic opportunity for both ScanTech and JF Renewables to establish ourselves as serious players in the US market. In a region that takes local content very seriously, having boots on the ground will enable us to stay one step ahead when it comes to finding facilities, building relationships with local partners and establishing a base from which to recruit and grow – in step with industry demand.”