• Ian Douglas joins as Chair, bringing a track record of steering businesses through complex growth and sale processes
  • The appointment comes as Orbital enters a new phase of growth, building on a £7m investment from PXN Ventures and existing shareholders, and new tidal energy licences awarded in Nova Scotia, Canada
  • Douglas’ career spans offshore energy, subsea infrastructure and marine engineering – including as CEO of XLCC and as CEO and Vice Chairman of Global Marine Group

 

EDINBURGH/ORKNEY, 8  SEPTEMBER – Orbital Marine Power, developer and operator of the O2, the world’s most powerful tidal turbine, is pleased to announce the appointment of Ian Douglas as Chair, as the company moves into its next phase of growth, scaling towards commercial, multi-project delivery.

Douglas brings more than two decades of board and executive leadership across offshore energy, subsea infrastructure and marine engineering. He joins from XLCC, where, as Chief Executive, he led major fundraising from private capital, strategic investors and public funding to develop the UK’s capability in HVDC subsea cables.

Douglas was previously CEO and Vice Chairman of Global Marine Group, a global marine engineering business with over 1,000 employees and turnover exceeding £300m, where he led two successful sale processes in 2014 and 2020. He also founded and served as first CEO of Huawei Marine Networks (now HMN Tech), growing the subsea telecoms business to revenue exceeding $1bn before a successful exit.

A Chartered Engineer with a background across the UK, Europe and Asia-Pacific, Douglas has deep experience working with private equity, government-backed institutions and international joint ventures, alongside direct engagement with UK government and industry regulators on energy policy.

Ian Douglas, Chair of Orbital Marine Power, said: “Tidal energy is one of the most exciting opportunities in the UK energy transition, providing predictable, home-grown power that runs to the rhythm of the tides. Having spent my career helping engineering-led businesses move from proven technology into commercial scale, I recognise the moment Orbital is at. The task now is building the commercial and financial foundations to deploy the company’s technology at scale, which is exactly the challenge I’m here to help the team meet.”

Ronnie Bonnar, Board Director and Chair of the Search Committee, said: “It’s a pleasure to welcome Ian to the Board, with the levels of enthusiasm and expertise he’ll bring to Orbital. Ian’s vast experience in successfully scaling businesses across multiple markets will be invaluable to our next phase of growth and delivery. Huge thanks go to Sian George for her leadership over the past decade and I’m pleased the Board will continue to benefit from her insight as a Director with us.”

The appointment follows a period of sustained momentum for Orbital Marine Power, including a £7m investment from PXN Ventures and existing shareholders in December 2025, and new tidal energy licences awarded in Nova Scotia, Canada that add to the Contracts for Difference the company has secured in the UK.