Energi Coast announces major appointment
Posted on 03 April 2025
Energi Coast, North East England’s offshore wind cluster, has bolstered the Leadership Group with the appointment of Tom Nightingale as Deputy Chair.
Tom has over 12 years’ experience in marketing, business development and stakeholder management roles in offshore wind, and is currently Local Supply Chain Manager (UK) renewables for Norwegian multinational energy company Equinor.
Tom has worked across the offshore wind supply chain in North East England, including working for JDR Cable Systems, DeepOcean and Baker Hughes.
Tom started his career at TechnipFMC’s umbilical manufacturing plant in Newcastle where he worked for 10 years.
Energi Coast’s Leadership Group is made up of more than 30 key regional businesses and stakeholder organisations involved in offshore wind, and the cluster works to promote the region as a key hub for servicing both the UK and international offshore wind markets. The wider Energi Coast cluster is made up of over 350 North East England-based suppliers.
In addition to his role with Equinor, Tom is non-executive Board Director for NOF and the Energy Central Campus in Blyth, alongside his role as Offshore Wind Growth Partnership reference group leader, Tom is an active participant on the Offshore Wind Industry Council Cluster Group.
The announcement of Tom’s appointment was made at the Energi Coast Regional Supply Chain Showcase event, which took place on April 2 at The Boiler Shop in Newcastle upon Tyne.
Commenting on his appointment, Tom Nightingale said: “I am delighted to be appointed as Deputy Chair for Energi Coast, the UK’s leading cluster for offshore wind.
“North East England is at the epicentre of the energy transition with the pipeline, projects and people needed to advance the UK’s Net Zero ambitions. This region is built on a great industrial heritage, and our strong supply chain and ports will be at the heart of the sector’s growth in the North East and beyond, helping to deliver the offshore wind Industrial Growth Plan and create opportunities for local people to prosper.”
Joanne Leng MBE, Chief Executive of NOF, said: “Tom has long played an active role within Energi Coast and has been a passionate advocate of the cluster, with strong links to both industry and Government. I’m therefore thrilled to see him take up the role of Deputy Chair, through which he’ll be making an even greater contribution to the development of offshore wind in North East England.”
Tony Quinn, Chair of Energi Coast, added: “We have worked with Tom for many years and know the extensive level of expertise he brings to the cluster, through his involvement in landmark projects such as Dogger Bank Wind Farm. It’s very exciting to now be working alongside Tom as we continue to build and promote the clusters regional ambition to support future deepwater leasing off the coast of North East England.”
