Orkney-based Neil Kermode has been awarded an Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to renewable energy and to the community.
He has been managing director of the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) since 2005, helping make it one of the world’s leading test and demonstration sites for wave and tidal energy.
Under his stewardship, more marine energy technologies have demonstrated at EMEC than anywhere else in the world.
An economic impact assessment spanning two decades of EMEC’s operations values the impact of the test centre to the UK economy at £370m, with £130m of that accrued in Orkney.
Beyond EMEC, Kermode serves as the chair of the Orkney Renewable Energy Forum (OREF), promoting the development and overcoming barriers to renewables developments throughout the island.
He also volunteers his time in various other community initiatives, such as the rebuilding and restoration of the Kitchener Memorial through Orkney Heritage Society, along with recognising the work and contributions of Murdoch MacKenzie, a pioneering Orcadian hydrographer and cartographer.
“I was surprised to receive the letter and rather stunned,“ Kermode commented. “However I am delighted that this award helps bring more attention to so many of the things and people I care about.
“I recall being told that OBE stands for ‘Other Bugger’s Effort’ and in this case it is true - I would not be getting this award if I had not been able to work with such great and motivated groups of people over the years in so many spheres.
“In this respect it is a real joy to see the progress we have made together, but it is also both daunting to see how much we have to do, and exciting to see the opportunities it presents.”
