EEEGR Chairman & Chief Executive Officer

EEEGR is unique in its All Energy – Regional approach. This gives us a very important role of ensuring that we bring all parties together through our Energy Industry Association. We strive for sustainable prosperity by ensuring that we can contribute to both agendas of climate change and security of supply by focusing on common strengths. Our long held vision of “sustainable production and wise use of energy” remains succinct, fresh and focused.

In 2006 I highlighted the important work of the Board contributing their shared knowledge and dedication to supporting the work of EEEGR. On this occasion I would like to give my personal thanks to you the members for your continued support and to encourage those who are not yet members to join. The essence of the organisation is to foster and build upon strong relationships.

May 2007 saw the publication of the Energy White Paper, “Meeting the Energy Challenge”. There has never been a more important time to be involved collectively and to contribute individually. In doing so EEEGR will continue to play its part in helping to deliver a secure energy future – by being part of the solution and not part of the problem.

Finally I would like to acknowledge the work of John Best, who in July 2007 was awarded the Individual Contribution Award for outstanding contribution in the trade association sector. This was a single award made to an individual drawn from the whole range of industries and trade associations within the UK. Well done!

Mark Goodall, EEEGR Chairman
September 2007

It is very pleasing to be able to report on another excellent year for EEEGR and its members. Picking just a few highlights over the past 12 months I can advise that we;

Organised 14 events attracting 886 delegates, from 605 organisations; with consistently high business participation at 84% of total delegates.

Distributed in excess of £304K through the training initiative "Towards 2010" reaching over 154 organisations and benefiting more than 580 individuals as they improve personal skills to grow their respective businesses. Since the project began almost £750K from both public and private sources has been invested by the initiative in developing to individual skills to meet strategic business need.

Contributed to the Skills for Energy partnership formally launched in 2006 at the Summer Conference, which is now led by David Edwards OBE, as Chairman. High Energy Schools Challenge ran for the third year and was more successful than ever in building links between the “All Energy “ industry and schools.

In providing skilled people for our future industry, this year EEEGR leading by example hosted its 30th student project working with individuals at under graduate, graduate and post graduate level. This is a great track record for an executive which has averaged less than 5 people over six years since formation.

EEEGR’s international profile was enhanced when the Economic Secretary of Louisiana accepted our invitation as a Keynote speaker at SNS07, following another successful Innovation Awards. EEEGR has attended and presented at events in Denmark and Germany. I had the privilege of speaking on behalf of the POWER (Pushing Offshore Wind Energy Regions) to a major EU conference in Brussels.

In closing I am delighted to support Marks strong endorsement of the membership and to thank him for his kind recognition of the award I received. It is clear to me that no Individual Award can ever exist without a huge amount of support and encouragement from others; Team, Board, Members, Supporters and the wider community. Thank you all - long may it continue!!

John Best, EEEGR Chief Executive Officer
September 2007