HIE Names New Head of Wave Energy Scotland

Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has appointed Tim Hurst as Managing Director of Wave Energy Scotland (WES).

WES aims to support and accelerate the development of wave energy technology through a series of competitive technology calls.

Wave Energy Scotland is a subsidiary of HIE and it was set up in December 2014 at the request of the Scottish Government. WES is fully funded by the Scottish Government and has a budget of £14.3m until the end of the financial year in 2016.

Alex Paterson, Chief Executive of HIE, commented:

“We are delighted to announce the appointment of Tim Hurst as Managing Director of Wave Energy Scotland. Tim has a wide range of experience in the offshore renewables sector having previously led on that work for HIE. We’re confident Tim has the ambition and the energy to lead WES at a hugely challenging time in the sector.”

Scottish Energy Minister Fergus Ewing welcomed the appointment by saying: “The appointment of Tim Hurst is an important milestone in the further development of WES. 

“In Scotland we have great natural marine resources, backed up with considerable expertise across industry, academia and public sector partners. The year ahead will be challenging and we have high expectations for the five calls which WES will launch this year. However, I have every confidence that WES will deliver great results from these calls and I look forward to continuing to work with Tim and his team.”