iconsys targets energy transition opportunity with high-profile appointment
A Shropshire-based technology provider has thrown its backing behind the UK’s desire to become a clean energy solutions superpower with its latest high-profile hire.
iconsys, a fast-growing provider of control and automation solutions, power conversion and system integration services, has appointed Joe Howe as its dedicated Energy Transition specialist to help it target significant projects in a sector that has already had nearly £22bn ring-fenced by the UK Government for carbon capture and storage alone.
The Professor and Academic Lead for Humber’s Industrial Cluster is one of the country’s leading authorities in Industrial Decarbonisation, chairing the Mission Innovation Hydrogen Production Group and developing the skills agenda through his position as Trustee of the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board and COGENT Skills.
His focus will be on positioning the Telford-based company as a critical partner in this journey, supporting engineering and manufacturing businesses and industrial clusters to make the energy transition by providing a single source solution.
This will include giving management teams access to critical thinking and support to navigate the Government’s agenda and funding mechanisms and understanding how iconsys’ core automation and integration services can help unlock efficiencies and provide intelligent data.
“It’s only going one way. Businesses can’t bury their heads in the sand when it comes to Net Zero and the decarbonisation journey,” explained Joe, who has been involved in the sector for more than 30 years.
“There’s going to be a carbon tax eventually and, on the surface, that will be another cost burden. However, we want to change the mentality to move away from seeing the ‘cost’ and instead focus on the opportunity presented by cleaner power.”
He continued: “This will not be easy and that’s where iconsys comes in. We can engage with the client to understand their energy transition challenges, working with them through their project lifecycle from concept to operation, giving them the necessary tools and the technology to realise their transition goals.
“Data is now king and with it comes major security concerns. That’s another area we are experts in.”
Founded in 1987, iconsys is helping hundreds of clients improve productivity, operational efficiency, safety, and profitability, as well as supporting critical sectors to decarbonise.
It combines innovative technologies with extensive industry knowledge and experience, supporting customers throughout their asset lifecycle to enhance the performance of their business and meet increasing regulatory requirements.
Being ‘technology platform-independent’ is a key differentiator for the business, which ensures the optimal automation, power and control solution is delivered, every time. Having completed over 4500 successful projects to date, with an increasing number being rooted in the energy sector and decarbonisation projects, iconsys is well placed to help business achieve their Net Zero goals.
“What really attracted me to this role was the passion shown by iconsys to really push on in this arena and the fact they are an agile business, able to make quick decisions and select exactly the right technology and solutions for the situation - this can be a huge benefit,” added Joe.
“We’re looking to partner with companies within energy transition infrastructure, and companies embarking on their decarbonisation journey. This includes sectors such as metals, pulp & paper, ceramics, advanced manufacturing, oil refineries, biomass and glass production as a whole – even industrial parks who might want to develop an off-grid power option.”
He went on to add: “One of the key elements of the role will be getting the message across and explaining how the landscape is changing. This will be by giving keynote addresses, attending roundtables and a special ‘fireside chat’ video series that we are planning for early next year.”
Andrew Rushton, Group Sales Director at iconsys, concluded: “Attracting Joe is a real coup for us and gives us unrivalled depth of insight, knowledge and contacts in the world of industrial decarbonisation.
“This will prove invaluable as we look to build on our existing client base and become the partner of choice in energy transition, a sector that is so suited to the technology and integration solutions we can bring to the table.”
