Aberdeen floating wind specialist acquired by growing Inverness energy firm
Inverness-headquartered Aurora Energy Services has acquired Aberdeen firm Encomara, a specialist in floating wind deployment systems and subsea engineering.
Industry stalwarts Ian Cobban, Malcolm Bowie, Ian Donald and Raymond Semple, founded Encomara in 2022.
The acquisition, for an undisclosed sum, includes Encomara's innovative Squid system. The technology integrates pre-installed mooring and electrical connections in one modular subsea unit.
This reduces the cost, time and risk associated with the deployment, recovery and reconnection of turbines.
Aurora chief executive Doug Duguid has described the system as a 'true game changer'.
Encomara's team of six will move to Aurora House in Dyce, keeping its brand and identity while continuing to offers specialist advice on floating wind, mooring systems, and subsea field development.
Mr Duguid said: 'Encomara's Squid system is a step-change in floating wind development and this acquisition aligns perfectly with our technical strategy.
'Squid allows operators to modularise and industrialise offshore construction and combined with our fabrication and engineering capability, it gives Aurora a unique position in the market.
'We are committed to providing key investment in the Squid system to develop prototypes, in extensive offshore testing and roll-out to market, as we believe this is a true game-changer and it supports our ambition to lead in the energy transition.'
Each member of the innovative foursome boasts decades of energy sector experience, including in wave, tidal, fixed and floating offshore wind.
Mr Semple previously led regional offshore and subsea divisions for Technip in Brazil and North America, and then global subsea businesses owned by DOF Subsea and Baker Hughes.
Before joining Encomara, Mr Cobban was chief operations officer for Inverness-based Global Energy Group.
Mr Bowie has been an independent consultant and advisor in design and offshore construction for more than 35 years.
Meanwhile, Mr Donald – who won an outstanding achievement gong at subsea industry awards in 2017 – joined Encomara after more than 40 years in executive, technical and project management roles.
Mr Donald said: 'Aurora's ambition and capability give Encomara the ideal platform to accelerate our roadmap and bring the Squid system to more markets, more quickly.
'Together, we can industrialise floating wind deployment while staying focused on innovation, safety, and engineering quality.'
Mr Semple will take on the role of chief operating officer, while chief technology officer, Mr Bowie, will continue in the same role in Aurora.
Current Aurora chief operating officer, Tom Smith, will take on a new role as regional director for EAME (Europe Africa and Middle East).
Aurora Energy Services was set up in 2022 by Doug Duguid and Michael Buchan to help drive the energy transition and now employs more than 275 people.
The firm has invested £750,000 into its new Aberdeen property, Ury House in Howe Moss Crescent.
It has also renamed the building, which is home to its integrated services division, Aurora House.
Aurora is part of the Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport (ICFGF) consortium after joining last year.
It has a large training and competency academy in the capital of the Highlands and also has its own in-house design and fabrication facility at Huntly.
The company's global presence includes operations in North and South America as well as Australia.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Edinburgh Reporter
an hour ago
- Edinburgh Reporter
Birbraer heads new ownership at Fife Flyers
Fife Flyers have new owners. A North American-based group has been installed as the new management team to run Britain's oldest professional ice hockey club. Former Israeli international, 44-year-old, former Cardiff Devils winger, Max Birbraer, is the new president and general manager, and a spokesman said: 'We are here to build something special.' Kazakhstan-born Birbraer, drafted in Round 3 and 67th overall by National Hockey League side, New Jersey Devils, in 2000, has started work with the club which was formed in 1938, and bosses confirm they are in 'advanced discussions' to appoint a new head coach. Several core players from last season have been contacted and the new owners plan to build what they described as 'a competitive and committed roster'. Hockey agent, Gareth Chalmers, who parted company as managing director of Glasgow Clan and the Braehead Arena in February this year after more than a decade with the club, has joined the Kirkcaldy-based combine as chief commercial and operations officer. Season ticket details will be revealed soon and the spokesman said: 'We're excited to grow our partnerships and business operations with his leadership.' Flyers new bosses say the hard work starts now and they welcome all commercial inquiries. Plans are being made to connect directly to fans. They could include meet and greet, question and answer or a town hall-style event, and the new regime said: 'We want to hear what matters most to you (the fans), what needs to improve, and how we can earn your trust moving forward.' Bosses plan to be more transparent and to provide detailed communication regarding club's architecture, vision and intention. And the statement declared: 'To every supporter: this is your team. We're honoured to be at the helm, and we're ready to give it everything we've got.' The group moved in after former directors, Tom Muir and Jack Wishart, confirmed in early February that they were stepping down after nearly three years at the helm and the newcomers expressed their thanks to those 'who carried the torch before us'. They added: 'From this moment forward, our group is fully responsible for the direction, development, and future of the club, and we take that responsibility seriously. 'It is an honour to lead the UK's oldest and most iconic hockey team.' They claim their mission is clear, to restore the pride, energy, and identity of Fife Flyers hockey — both on and off the ice. The statement added: 'This is a people's club. Fife is the beating heart of Scottish hockey, and its supporters are the soul of this organization. Your loyalty, your voice, and your passion will shape everything we do. 'We are here to build something special, a first-class hockey experience that reflects the grit and character of this town. Under this leadership, we will lead with transparency, we will compete with pride, and we will always listen.' Like this: Like Related
North Wales Chronicle
an hour ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Dr Martens sees profits slide but on track for return to growth
The footwear group reported pre-tax profits of £8.8 million for the year to March 30, down from £93 million the previous year, after seeing sales fall 10%. On an underlying basis, pre-tax profits slumped to £34.1 million from £97.2 million. The group said sales to consumers in the US returned to growth in the second half of the year and have continued to increase, but revealed UK revenues have remained lower since the year-end 'due to a challenging market'. It added that unfavourable foreign exchange rates would see it take a hit to group sales and profits of around £18 million and £3 million respectively in 2025-26. Despite this, Dr Martens said it expects underlying profits to rise 'significantly' over the financial year ahead, with analysts expecting a jump to between £54 million and £74 million. It flagged uncertainty over the impact of higher tariffs, but said it was holding off from price hikes for the the remainder of 2025. Its stock is already in the US market for the spring/summer season and either there or on its way for the autumn/winter. 'We do however recognise that there is continued macroeconomic uncertainty and the full outcome of tariffs is still unknown, and we will monitor this closely through the year and take action as appropriate,' the group said. The Northamptonshire-based company outlined new plans for growth alongside its results, with aims to attract new shoppers and hold off from discounts in EMEA and the Americas. Annual figures showed sales sales dropped 11.4% over the year, although retail lifted 1% in the final six months. In the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region, sales fell 11%, with direct-to-consumer difficulty amid a highly promotional market – particularly in the UK. The company, whose yellow-stitched boots have been a retro mainstay for decades, has been in the doldrums in recent years, with declining revenues exacerbated by the cost-of-living crisis. It listed on the London Stock Exchange in 2021, and has since issued a slew of profit warnings and replaced its chief executive. Many of Dr Martens' recent problems have come from steep declines in sales in the US, but new chief executive Ije Nwokorie said the group had stabilised in the past year. He said: 'Our single focus in 2024-25 was to bring stability back to Dr Martens. 'We have achieved this by returning our direct-to-consumer channel in the Americas back to growth, resetting our marketing approach to focus relentlessly on our products, delivering cost savings and significantly strengthening our balance sheet.' Mr Nwokorie, previously the firm's head of marketing before taking on the top job from Kenny Wilson on January 6, said: 'I am laser-focused on day-to-day execution, managing costs and maintaining our operational discipline while we navigate the current macroeconomic uncertainties.'
Leader Live
2 hours ago
- Leader Live
Dr Martens sees profits slide but on track for return to growth
The footwear group reported pre-tax profits of £8.8 million for the year to March 30, down from £93 million the previous year, after seeing sales fall 10%. On an underlying basis, pre-tax profits slumped to £34.1 million from £97.2 million. The group said sales to consumers in the US returned to growth in the second half of the year and have continued to increase, but revealed UK revenues have remained lower since the year-end 'due to a challenging market'. It added that unfavourable foreign exchange rates would see it take a hit to group sales and profits of around £18 million and £3 million respectively in 2025-26. Despite this, Dr Martens said it expects underlying profits to rise 'significantly' over the financial year ahead, with analysts expecting a jump to between £54 million and £74 million. It flagged uncertainty over the impact of higher tariffs, but said it was holding off from price hikes for the the remainder of 2025. Its stock is already in the US market for the spring/summer season and either there or on its way for the autumn/winter. 'We do however recognise that there is continued macroeconomic uncertainty and the full outcome of tariffs is still unknown, and we will monitor this closely through the year and take action as appropriate,' the group said. The Northamptonshire-based company outlined new plans for growth alongside its results, with aims to attract new shoppers and hold off from discounts in EMEA and the Americas. Annual figures showed sales sales dropped 11.4% over the year, although retail lifted 1% in the final six months. In the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region, sales fell 11%, with direct-to-consumer difficulty amid a highly promotional market – particularly in the UK. The company, whose yellow-stitched boots have been a retro mainstay for decades, has been in the doldrums in recent years, with declining revenues exacerbated by the cost-of-living crisis. It listed on the London Stock Exchange in 2021, and has since issued a slew of profit warnings and replaced its chief executive. Many of Dr Martens' recent problems have come from steep declines in sales in the US, but new chief executive Ije Nwokorie said the group had stabilised in the past year. He said: 'Our single focus in 2024-25 was to bring stability back to Dr Martens. 'We have achieved this by returning our direct-to-consumer channel in the Americas back to growth, resetting our marketing approach to focus relentlessly on our products, delivering cost savings and significantly strengthening our balance sheet.' Mr Nwokorie, previously the firm's head of marketing before taking on the top job from Kenny Wilson on January 6, said: 'I am laser-focused on day-to-day execution, managing costs and maintaining our operational discipline while we navigate the current macroeconomic uncertainties.'
