Page 15: of Offshore Engineer Magazine (Jul/Aug 2021)

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PROFILE NEIL GORDON

OSBIT “We know countries such as Norway, Japan, Canada and centers is make sure that they know where the opportunities the U.S. are all investing in the ocean economies,” said are and how to commercialize those opportunities.”

Gordon, in discussing the push to develop The Global Un- The GUH will be an intelligence led and strategically fo- derwater Hub, which in its essence is creating value for the cused organization helping companies to understand new mar-

UK and Scottish economies. “We are a world leader, but we kets and identify opportunities by delivering in four key areas: want to make sure that we can maintain that leadership. So • Collaboration & Innovation: Creating a multi-sector un- let’s get some real focus about the blue economy. How do we derwater industry .

create the jobs? How do we develop the technology? How • Capability and Skills: Developing skills and companies to do we encourage exports?” Gordon and his colleagues see drive competitive advantage.

The Global Underwater Hub is the answer to those ques- • Accelerate & Scale-up: Supporting the growth of new tions and more. and existing companies.

Logistically the organization will have three locations: one in • International market development: Increase exports and

Scotland, one in North England and one in South of England, attract new inward investment.

creating “a backbone, a hub and spoke model,” said Gordon. “The main things that the hub will be able to deliver is “Anyone around the country can access and connect to help help companies identify where are the opportunities and help them grow their business.” them navigate, fnd and win that business,” said Gordon.

Gordon is particularly clear to point out that The Global “We’ve got energy transition, net zero oil and gas, offshore

Underwater Hub is not an ‘Innovation Center.’ “It’s not an wind [to name a few]. It’s for us to try and help articulate the innovation center, because there are lots of innovation centers opportunities and help companies make those strategic deci- around,” he said. “What we need to do with those innovation sions where they invest in, where they want to do business.”

JULY/AUGUST 2021 OFFSHORE ENGINEER 15