

‘Delivering the Hydrogen Economy NW’ : The Heath Business & Technical Park, Runcorn : Wednesday 05 June 2019
The North West is poised to deliver the UK’s first hydrogen economy which could deliver billions of pounds to the regional economy, driving inward investment and creating thousands of jobs.
This event brought together key stakeholders from across the region to discuss how the North West can collaborate to deliver pioneering hydrogen projects that set the standard for the UK. It will address the opportunity to develop hydrogen as a key part of the UK’s Industrial Strategy, setting a roadmap for the future.
The event showcased the extensive range of hydrogen projects already happening in the region, which collectively could deliver:
Key note speakers included Stephen Speed Director of Energy Development at the Department of Energy and Climate Change and Steve Rotheram, Liverpool City Region Mayor
Attendees also heard from some of the key players in the North West, including INOVYN, Alstom, Cadent, BOC Gases, Peel Environmental, ULEMco and Costain.
Delegates also heard from key business and political leaders about how the region has committed £500m to meet the challenge of becoming the UK’s first zero carbon industrial cluster by 2040.
Stephen Speed is Director of Energy Development at DECC, looking after UK oil and gas reserves including new shale gas plays, the environmental regulation of offshore oil and gas activity and the management of the legacy of former nationalised coal mining activities. His team also advises Ministers on major energy infrastructure planning consent decisions.
The first directly elected Metro Mayor for the Liverpool City Region, Steve Rotheram leads the Combined Authority in its work to drive prosperity, encourage innovation and expand opportunities for people, communities and businesses across the Liverpool City Region.
Since his election in May 2017, Metro Mayor Steve has pioneered several ‘green’ initiatives including plans for a £10m green investment fund and the launch of a £6.4m hydrogen bus project.
Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram has recently set out a clear strategy for a long-term zero carbon future, helping Liverpool lead the way in developing sustainable hydrogen power. A compelling and powerful voice, Steve’s vision for the region is ambitious, fair, connected, prosperous and green.
Professor Joe Howe has undertaken extensive energy related research, development and innovation funded by Government, Industry and RCUK and the EU and has published in excess of 100 peer reviewed articles. Specifically on energy systems he has led and been involved in the development of industry university partnerships including BAE Systems and the National Nuclear Laboratory where he is an academic associate.
During the last six years, Joe has been successful in securing six energy related EPSRC Industrial Collaborative Ph.D. funded students and has been either PI or CI on several energy specific ERDF programmes, supporting SME’s in the NW of England. Joe has recently completed two Innovate UK projects concerned with Carbon Capture and Storage and Nuclear Decommissioning respectively, and is currently leading on two industrial sponsored energy research projects funded by URENCO and Costain.
Externally Joe holds a number of roles including; Chair NW Hydrogen Cluster; Academic Associate of the National Nuclear Laboratory; Visiting Professor at Harbin Institute of Technology;Board member of the Cheshire Energy Hub; Steering Committee member of the Decarbonised Gas Alliance, and the Member of the NW Regional Manufacturers Association.
David Parr became the Chief Executive of Halton Borough Council in 2004, after a successful career as a solicitor, specialising in planning, environmental and transportation law.
With an extensive experience in the areas of regeneration and urban renewal, David has led transformational regeneration projects across Nottinghamshire, Tameside, Macclesfield and Halton and Liverpool City Region, creating new employment sites, regenerating town centres and generating major new job opportunities.
David Parr represents Halton and the Liverpool City Region on a number of Regional and National bodies and plays a major role in the Liverpool City Region, the Daresbury Enterprise Zone, the LCR Super-port Committee and science and innovation activities in the NW.
David has driven the £2billion Mersey Gateway Bridge Project from concept, through the Public Inquiry, and the procurement and construction process to its opening. David is also a Board Director on the JV at Sci Tech Daresbury, an internationally recognised Science and Innovation Campus and works across the NW on the science agenda.
Dr Frank Rourke began his career as a research chemist, specialising in chlor-alkali electrolysis for one of Britain’s largest chemical manufacturers, Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI). His success in this role enabled him to expand his remit and move into a variety of project management and technical roles within the company.
In 2004 Dr Rourke accepted an operational position within INEOS, one of the top two chemical companies in the world, with around $90 billion in annual sales revenue. Here, Dr Rourke oversaw operational activity within INEOS manufacturing sites across the UK, including major facilities in Runcorn and Northwich.
Last year, Dr Rourke joined premier chemical company INOVYN, taking on the roles of NW Operations Manager and UK County Manager. Under Dr Rourke’s leadership, INOVYN has joined the North West Hydrogen Alliance, working to put the North West of England at the forefront of the UK’s hydrogen journey.
After gaining his Masters in Engineering Science from Oxford University, Ed spent more than eight years working for the National Air Traffic Services Ltd (NATS). In 2001 Ed joined National Grid Group Strategy as a Senior Strategist.
Ed then moved to the role of Network Sales Transaction Manager in October 2003. In June 2005 Ed become Investment Strategy Manager in Distribution Network Strategy, remaining with the department for his next move in September 2008, when he was appointed DNCC (Distribution Network Control Centre) Manager.
Ed’s next role saw him become Operational Support Manager for Distribution Customer Support in May 2009. In December 2009 he moved onto his first directorship serving as Director, UK Safety Health and Environment for UK Transmission in December 2009.
Ed became Director, Operations UK Gas Distribution in July 2011 and continued in this role with Cadent until 1 April 2019 when he was awarded the role of Chief Safety and Strategy Officer. A Chartered Engineer (CEng) Ed is a member of the Institute of Engineering and Technology, MIET, and the Institute of Asset Management, MIAM.
Delivering the Hydrogen Economy
With refreshments
David Parr, Chief Executive, Halton Borough Council
Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor, Steve Rotheram
Stephen Speed, Director of Energy Development at the Department of Energy and Climate Change.
Professor Joe Howe, Executive Director and Professor of the Thornton Energy Institute, University of Chester.
Dr. Frank Rourke, UK Country Manager & NW Operations Manager, INOVYN
Ed Syson, Chief Safety and Strategy Officer, Cadent
Jane Gaston, Development Director, Protos, Peel Environment
Speakers answer delegate questions
Mark Knowles, Lead Officer for Low Carbon, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.
Mike Muldoon, Head of Business Development & Marketing, Alstom UK & Ireland
Mark Griffin, Market Development Manager, Clean Fuels, BOC UK & Ireland.
Ben Madden, Director Element Energy
David Jones, Sustainable Transport Strategy Manager, Cadent
Amanda Lyne, Manging Director, Ulemco
The session’s speakers answer delegates questions.
Within the venue sponsors and other invited participants will exhibit, and be on hand throughout the day, to discuss their individual projects and ambitions for hydrogen
Outside the venue manufacturers, including Hyundai, Alexander Dennis Limited and ULEMCo, will showcase a range of hydrogen fuelled cars, buses and commercial vehicles.
There will also be a number of small, intimate, fringe meetings throughout the event bringing together likeminded individuals to discuss specific elements of the hydrogen economy.
Professor Joe Howe, Executive Director and Professor of the Thornton Energy Institute of Chester.
Gerard Shore , Director Costain Group PLC
Mark Neller, Director Arup
Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB) including their Head of Skills, Sallyann Garrard-Hughes.
Richard Carter, Managing Director, BASF UK and Chair, North West Business Leadership Team.
General Enquiries: E. Business@halton.gov.uk
Tim Leather
E. tim.leather@halton.gov.uk
T. +44(0)151 511 8337
Peter Scott
E. peter.scott@halton.gov.uk
T.+44(0)15155117307