Page 43 - Gi flipbook August 2018

the Wales Energy and Environment
sector panel, Steve is contributing to A short extract of Sheila’s valedictory address
the development of future energy
policy and regulation. “Gas is great, gas is good, was what I had to say,
He said: “It’s an absolute honour and As I took the chain and addressed you all at the AGM last May.
a privilege to be your President and I Pride, skill and passion we all enjoy each day,
will do my best to serve you as Past But what about the skills gap? How to close it? What role to play?
Presidents have done so.
“I am really looking forward to “You whooped and cheered and volunteered, and I don’t want to seem rude,
working with IGEM Council, the staff, But ask yourselves what you have done to shout out ‘gas is good’?
support organisations, the Sections I challenge you to do it, right now with no delay,
and everyone who has an interest in To mentor, teach and spread the word that gas is here to stay.
the gas industry.
“We have a magnificent proven “I’ve had a blast, but tough at times without my right-hand man,
track record in terms of technical You picked me up, dusted me off, held out a friendly hand.
standards, training, safety and working I’ve made a good impression, but my standards can be a pain
with others, so I believe the future is Let’s not wait another 100 years ‘til a lady wears this chain.
very bright. The motto in my old
school was “to each his opportunity” “So all that’s left is to say farewell and pass on my regards,
and we have got a number of To Steve, and Tony and Duncan too – it really is quite hard.
opportunities here that, if we work Our trust is in you, you’re a hard-working bunch,
together, could take IGEM and the gas Now let’s get this meeting over and go enjoy lunch.”
industry into the future.” ■

MY YEAR AHEAD needs, recognising that what’s right
for the north of England may not be
right for Wales – and vice versa.
AS I BEGIN partnerships and support that Energy and gas is in the spotlight
MY YEAR as underpin the gas industry worldwide. and the roles that we all play
President, Our gas network companies alone continue to expand.
here are some employ over 20,000 direct staff, invest I was really encouraged by the
thoughts as I over £2 billion a year – a massive recent Parliament debate on the future
look ahead. proportion of which stays in the UK and of the oil and gas industry. The
Thank you benefits our people and industry. contribution from Dr Alan Whitehead
to Sheila The people, the investments and highlighted the opportunities that
Lauchlan for a infrastructure in the gas industry green gases and carbon capture and
wonderful provide circa 40 per cent of electricity, storage present for the UK; for
presidential 85 per cent of heat and the storage domestic customers and industry alike.
year and her continued support. Sheila and flexibility that is underpinning the So, I want IGEM and all our
continues to be a first class energy transition to an affordable, members to take on board these
ambassador for IGEM. reliable and sustainable energy future. challenges and demonstrate how we
I would also like to thank Sarb With our proven track record of can provide the objective and robust
Bajwa for his contribution as Chief supporting the economy, delivering support that we are renowned for to
Executive. He has taken on many technical standards and training, IGEM make the case that gas has a central
challenges on behalf of members, is well placed to grasp the role in delivering an affordable,
developed great partnerships and laid opportunities ahead and make sure reliable and sustainable energy future.
the foundations for a sustainable that the gas industry and IGEM play a We have a great track record, but
future for IGEM. Our new Chief full role today and long into the future. we can’t stand still and we must have
Executive, Neil Atkinson, brings a vast I know we have to help regional and the vision to plot a course for gas to
amount of experience to the role and I national decision makers balance things 2050 and beyond.
am sure he will make it his own, like government policy, the industrial I am honoured, excited and
building on our achievements to date strategy, the clean growth strategy, passionate about the work we do and
and the strengths of the people and skills development and supporting the I look forward to supporting all our
organisations that support IGEM. fuel poor while looking to secure stakeholders. We know the energy
We also have a number of new investment and jobs within the UK. system is changing and we know our
IGEM Council members and I look Wales, Scotland and regions of England customers and stakeholders are more
forward to their new thinking and are all developing energy plans and it is demanding, but that brings with it
enthusiasm as we continue to build more important than ever that IGEM new challenges and opportunity. I’ll do
IGEM for the future. nationally and regionally helps those what I can to lead IGEM to grasp the
For me, it is an absolute honour and decision makers understand the role opportunities that our great
privilege to serve you as your and value of the gas industry. foundations provide us. ■
President. We have 4,000 members I also want to hear first-hand from
and have developed the hundreds of those that we serve so that we can Steve Edwards,
technical standards, training, develop our strategies to meet their IGEM President 2018-2019

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