MEMBER NEWS: IMarEST Scottish branch announces Danny Hawthorn as key speaker and Donald Findlay KC as after-dinner speaker for 70th Annual Dinner

February 5, 2024

IMarEST (Institute for Marine, Engineering, Science and Technology) is set to welcome marine industry professionals and leaders in the fields of marine engineering, science, and technology in Glasgow later this month for a milestone anniversary event.

The Scottish branch of IMarEST will hold its 70th Annual Dinner on February 23rd, bringing together over 200 industry professionals from across the marine sector.

Danny Hawthorn, Managing Director of Trac Energy, will be the principal speaker reflecting on the company’s journey to a net zero future.  With strong ties to the clean energy industry having worked in renewables for over a decade, Danny will share his thoughts on a roadmap to a zero-carbon future with clear environmental targets.

The UK’s leading Criminal Defence Advocate, Donald Findlay, who is also former Rangers Vice Chairman and Unionist, will speak at the after-dinner reception. Donald is a former Chairman of the Faculty of Advocates Criminal Bar Association and has served twice as Rector of St Andrews University between 1993 and 1999. He is a regular contributor on current affairs on both TV and radio.

IMarEST is the largest marine organisation of its kind and the first Institute to bring together marine engineers, scientists, and technologists into one international multi-disciplinary professional body. IMarEST’s special guest speakers include Martin Shaw the 120th President of IMarEST, an experienced and knowledgeable shipping professional with in-depth experience of the offshore shipping and tanker shipping industry.

The Scottish branch, which currently has around 800 members, is chaired this year by Professor Gerasimos Theotokatos, Professor of Marine Systems Safety at the Department of Naval Architecture, Ocean & Marine Engineering of the University of Strathclyde. Prof Theotokatos is also Director of the Maritime Safety Research Centre (MSRC) established as a significant industry-university partnership involving the University of Strathclyde, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines and DNV Classification Society. Prof Theotokatos’s research focuses on the development of scientific approaches to safety, energy, and sustainability to address increasing marine industry requirements to meet energy efficient goals.

“The Annual Dinner is undoubtedly the highlight of the branch calendar and one that is highly anticipated by our members,” said Professor Theotokatos.

“Last year marked the first IMarEST dinner in Scotland after the Covid pandemic, which was attended by over 150 guests. This year marks the 70th year of hosting the event and we look forward to continuing its long-standing reputation for attracting a large audience of marine professionals. This flagship social event is the ideal platform for our members to make new professional connections as well as meet with industry peers and share best practices.

“We are delighted to confirm Danny Hawthorn as our principal speaker and look forward to hearing his thoughts on the future of net-zero targets in the renewables energy sector.

“Our after-dinner speaker, Donald Findlay KC, will share his many anecdotes, based on his almost 50 years in the criminal courts, in his inimitable style of wit and humour.”

This year’s Principal Event Sponsor is TRAC Renewables (part of TRAC Energy) a leading provider of industrial inspection, maintenance, and repair services, which has recently announced a new partnership with IMarEST.

With the introduction of its dedicated Renewables division, TRAC Energy is harnessing opportunities to diversify and play a leading role as the industry transitions.

Joel Telling, Head of TRAC Renewables, said, “Our partnership with IMarEST will allow us to delve into exciting opportunities with a globally respected Institute and lend our unwavering support across our specialised areas of expertise.

“We are delighted to support the Institute’s annual dinner in its landmark 70th year where we look forward to meeting distinguished members and guests from across the marine industry.”

To book a seat or table at the dinner on February 23rd, at the Double Tree by Hilton, Cambridge St, Glasgow, email David Montgomery, Social Secretary, IMarEST Scottish Branch, at [email protected].

Applications for tickets must be received by Monday, February 19th, 2024.

To find out more visit https://www.imarest.org/events/event-calendar/scottish-branch-70th-annual-dinner-2024.html

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