Business leaders meet US Congressman Kennedy in offshore wind mission

LEADING US politician Joe Kennedy III met Yorkshire business leaders who are keen to forge stronger commercial ties with the US.

Congressman Kennedy spoke about the importance of collaboration between the US and the UK in developing offshore wind operations. Leading industry figures from Yorkshire are touring New England to pass on their expertise in the offshore wind sector.

Mark O’Reilly, the CEO of Team Humber Marine Alliance, said there was interest in the US about how East Yorkshire firms had overcome challenges to create offshore wind hubs. The delegation also includes Andrew Oliver of Andrew Jackson Solicitors, Louise Smith of Project Aura at the University of Hull, Mandy Masters of Rix Shipping and Tony Appleton, Burns & McDonnell and a board member of Team Humber Marine Alliance.

Hosted by British Embassy staff with help from the CrossGovernment Prosperity Fund, the delegation is visiting Boston, New Bedford, Providence, New York and New Jersey. The group also visited the New Bedford Offshore Wind Symposium, where they heard a speech from Congressman Kennedy.

Mr O’Reilly said: “Team Humber Marine Alliance has already hosted a number of visits from the US and they have been hugely impressed with our progress.”