It's all hands on deck for Team Humber Marine Alliance as it seeks a potential £20bn worth of opportunities in the North Sea offshore wind sector for a growing membership of more than 200 companies.

A newly formed advisory board including business leaders and local authority representatives is to guide Team Humber in the next chapter of its history since it became a not-for-profit business development organisation in 2010.

The board aims to build on Team Humber’s position as one of the UK’s leading maritime and offshore organisations.

Camilla Carlbom, chairman of Immingham-based Carlbom Shipping, who has been appointed the Alliance's first vice chairman, believes the extra expertise now available will benefit Humber firms in the supply chain and be attractive to inward investors.

“I'm a huge fan of Team Humber. It’s apolitical, it works for the entire region because there’s no north bank or south bank dominance and the advisory board will help it meet everyone’s aspirations.”

Mark O'Reilly, CEO and chairman, said at the inaugural meeting at the Country Park Inn, Hessle, that the appointment of the advisory board reflected a changing business environment.

"We are pleased to welcome so many senior executives who support our aspirations to raise the profile of the region and maximise opportunities for the supply chain,” he said.

“The £20bn figure refers to proposed investments in wind energy and we are also representing our members in the revitalised ports and shipping sector.

"The aim is to restore the Humber's preeminence as a maritime region, nationally and internationally, and the skilled engineering and associated businesses in THMA have a vital role to play.

“We need all hands on deck to realise these ambitions and the advisory board brings to us an enormous amount of expertise at a crucial time.”

Andy Reay, UK regional manager for Danish offshore wind installers A2Sea, said: “We have seen the impact of industry groups like this through our work in Denmark and Germany. It starts to build up traction and, in turn, attracts investment. It is also hugely beneficial in developing our network of contacts." 

Under the strapline Strength in Numbers, Team Humber promotes the combined skills of members in order to bid for major contracts for the region. For companies interested in investing in the region, it provides one contact point for the whole supply chain.”

Mr O'Reilly added that THMA was growing partnerships in Europe and the USA, as well as developing a relationship with the Mersey region, and was playing a vital role in the Humber region's renaissance. The advisory board comprises: Richard Gregory OBE, Yorkshire Bank; Andy Reay, A2SEA; Dr Alan Lowdon, Green Port Growth; James Doyle, RIX Seashuttle; Gareth Russell, Associated British Ports; Phil Knowles, Dent Steel Services; Andrew Oliver, Andrew Jackson Solicitors; Iain Elliot, HETA; David Fletcher, GEV Group; Ron Ellis, ENGIE Fabricom; Camilla Carlbom, Carlbom Shipping; Capt Ian Coates, Specialist Marine Consultants; Jonathan Rollison, Point Engineering; Kurt Christensen, Wind Power Support; Mark Ranson, HOTA; Professor Amar Ramudhin, University of Hull Logistics Institute; Andy Capes, RSM; Neil Etherington, Able UK and representatives from the four local authorities.