Meet our highly experienced offshore renewable project management team
Our team brings many decades of engineering and offshore operational experience across oil & gas and marine renewables sectors.
Through the diversity in our teams skills we provide our customers with detailed, accurate and holistic solutions to the range of marine energy problems.
Richard Parkinson
Managing Director
Class 1 Master Mariner
Company founder and CEO I help formulate offshore operations methodologies and take charge of all operations offshore as well as overseeing and providing my knowledge and experience to drive the development of the HydroWing device which I conceived.
My offshore career started in 1984 working initially on BP Tankers, progressing to Master on Anchor Handling Tug Supply vessels, heavy lift/ construction barges in the offshore oil industry- North Sea, SE Asia and West Africa.
I progressed into senior management roles and in 2004, I acquired Mojo as an ongoing marine contracting business. Over the next 10 years I developed the business into a very successful marine project management company specializing in the installation of offshore renewable energy projects (wind, wave and tidal) before selling in 2015.
I founded Inyanga Marine in 2017 with the goal to develop the HydroWIng device through to commercilisation by striving to increase the reliability and ease of maintenance compared with devices being developed in the industry. Whilst continuing this development I expanded the business to provide to include offshore management services due to sector demand for cost effective and reliable offshore management solutions.
Darren Carter
Finance Director
FMATT FCCA
I started my career in the Audit and Assurance industry, studied my professional qualifications in London with a top 10 firm PKF.
Later moving on to industry where I awarded my first Financial Controller role in 2010 within the music sector, South West London.
By 2012 I was Finance Director and Co Sec in Commercial Property. I oversaw a mixed use development in East London, regenerating 1.8 acres of Prime Real Estate valued at £150m.
In 2018 I relocated to the South West, contracting as a Business Recovery specialist.
2022 I joined the Inyanga Group as Group Finance Director, working closely with Richard within strategy and funding requirements.
Diane Dhomé
Project Manager & French office manager
MEng Energy Systems, MSc Sustainable Energy Systems, MSc Marine Renewable Energy
Working in ocean and tidal energy for a decade, I joined Inyanga at the beginning of 2021 as a project manager and opened Inyanga’s French office. I am supporting both Inyanga and Hydrowing’s business development in France and I am in charge of managing Inyanga’s projects in France. With an extensive experience on tidal energy projects, I am supporting Hydrowing projects development.
I have been previously working for close to 10 years for a major tidal technology developer which gave me a deep understanding of the tidal energy sector and its challenges as well as an extensive experience in project management and tidal projects development.
Erwann Nicolas
Technical Manager
MEng Mechanical Systems
I am a highly experienced mechanical engineer with a strong background in marine energy systems. I am based at our France office in Quimper, Brittany.
I am heavily involved in our operation of the Sabella D10 turbine, a technology I am very familiar with, having spent 9 years as Innovation Manager for Sabella.
I act as the lead project manager for Inyanga’s involvement in the SHINES project at Paimpol Brehat. SHINES aims to harness the full potential for tidal and river energy in North-West Europe.
I also lead on the development of the Fromveur Project, as well as supporting the overall development of the Tocardo T3 next generation turbine, which is at the heart of our HydroWing tidal energy technology.
Jean-Christophe Allo
Commercial manager
MEng Energy Systems, MSc Marine Renewable Energies
As a commercial manager, I’m supporting development of our activities in offshore services and operations in France and I’m responsible for the business development and marketing for HydroWing globally.
Being involved in the sector for the past 15 years, my network and my technical knowledge of the sector have resulted in growing HydroWing brand and commercial opportunities in Europe, South-East Asia and Canada.
Previously working as a Project Manager and then Commercial Manager for a leading tidal technology developer, I share my understanding and strategic vision of the tidal energy market with the team, contribute to identification of public support available for our projects and promote HydroWing solution in growing and promising areas.
Chris Williams
Commercial Manager
BEng (Hons) CEng MICE
I have been developing Renewable Energy, Marine and Environmental Engineering projects for over 30 years in both the private and public sector. This has given me significant experience in managing complex, multi-disciplined and often high-risk projects. Responsibilities have ranged from Corporate Director level to self-developing my own private onshore wind turbine projects.
My diverse energy experience spans a variety of technologies including onshore and offshore wind and solar, BESS, green hydrogen, landfill gas, hydropower, tidal stream and wave energy.
During my early career I was the Project Manager for a Round 1 offshore wind farm in south Wales. Managing this high profile Joint Venture with one of the leading European offshore developers taught me a lot about creating and leading partnerships as well as innovation and strategy. Later, as a Director of a marine energy company, I developed Wales’s first accredited marine energy project.
Now it is an honour to be working with one of the world’s leading tidal energy projects at Morlais in north Wales – a homecoming, as north Wales is where I grew up and went to school.
Andrew Davies
Project Manager
BSc (Hons) Design Engineering
Responsible for total project management including controlling budgets, negotiating subcontracts, and providing day-to-day communication with the project team to ensure jobs remain on schedule and within budget. A team player, I hold a proven track record of strong working relationships with customers and supply chain.
With a BSc (Hons) degree in Design Engineering from Bournemouth University and APM project management qualification. I have over 15 years' experience overseeing a diverse range of large, fast track and complex projects in a number of challenging locations.
Outside of work I enjoy a range of outdoor pursuits including surfing, cycling and sailing.
Warren Cardwell
Senior Project Engineer
BEng (Hons) Robotic and Electronic Engineering
Based on Anglesey, my role encompasses the engineering design, manufacture and testing of various sub-systems for the HydroWing tidal stream technology. I bring with me over 18 years of experience in the renewables industry, both on and offshore. After graduating with a degree in Robotic and Electronic Engineering, I went on to work in various roles ranging from Subsea Engineer on cable laying ships, to Site Manager on onshore windfarms and most recently, tidal energy project engineering.
Outside of work, my hobbies include landscape photography, vehicle restoration, hill walking and indoor climbing. I also head up a team who compete annually in an annual raft race along the Menai Straits in North Wales.
Cal Watkins
Project Engineer
MEng (Hons) Renewable Energy Engineering
My primary role involves engineering analysis and design work using a mix of mathematical modeling, finite element analysis, and data analysis for turbine and Hydrowing design. Currently, developing skills in CAD and Python coding for further development of models with an interest in control engineering.
I started my engineering career in the Royal Navy working in military aviation engineering undertaking a variety of associated tasks in deployments from the North Sea to the Middle East working on rotary wing aircraft. I made my transition upon leaving the military to study Renewable Energy Engineering at the University of Exeter focusing on engineering design, BEMT, and data analysis primarily in tidal energy.
Having lived in Cornwall for the past 13 years, I have picked up surfing as a hobby alongside hiking, camping, sea swimming, powerlifting, and tabletop games.
Brandon Kenley Verkerk
Senior Electrical Design Engineer
BSc(Eng) (Hons) Electrical and Information Engineering
As Senior Electrical Design Engineer for Hydrowing Ltd., my main focus is on the design and integration of all the power electronic componentry and ancillary systems for delivery of grid compliant power from our tidal turbines, as well as oversight on the development of the various control strategies employed for safe and efficient operation of the turbines under all tidal conditions. I also play a role in providing electrical based support and consultancy towards the various projects and mobilizations our Vessel – the Entsha - is a part of, as well as towards a number of projects serviced by our team within the Inyanga Maritime Ltd. group.
Born and bred in South Africa, I currently hold a BSc(Honours) degree in Electrical and Information Engineering from the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg. Prior to my work here at Hyrdowing, I spent time working as an Industrial Internet of Things Systems Engineer, in which I designed and deployed internet connected devices for the continuous, on-line monitoring of Partial Discharge in Medium Voltage Equipment within the mining and manufacturing sector.
In my spare time I enjoy playing Tennis and Squash. I am an avid blockchain enthusiast and have a keen interest in IoT development. I also enjoy focusing time and energy into the research of renewable power generation, as well as integrating High Voltage Engineering with an ever Internet orientated world.
Tom Summers
EngD student with the Industrial CDT for Offshore Renewable Energy (IDCORE), a partnership between HydroWing and the Universities of Exeter, Edinburgh and Strathclyde. The IDCORE programme seeks to strengthen collaboration between academia and industry in order to support the green energy transition.
My background is in aeronautical engineering and composite materials. My role at HydroWing is focussed on the performance of the Tocardo rotor blades. I am interested in fluid-structure interaction, exploiting the anisotropic properties of fibre-reinforced polymers in order to improve turbine performance, and design for manufacture and maintenance.
I am happiest when I am outside, and I enjoy making the most of the spectacular nature that the Southwest has been blessed with.
Bryn Townley
Researcher
BEng and MSc in Mechanical Engineering
I’m an IDCORE student and graduated in 2020 from Swansea University with a BEng and MSc in Mechanical Engineering. After graduating, I gained a variety of industrial experience in the renewable energy sector completing work on policy research and CFD. Over this time, I developed a keen interest in expanding my skills with more experience in the ORE sector and am now starting my 3-year IDCORE project based with HydroWing working on the optimisation of their tidal turbine device and array scale layout using CFD. I am conscientious and ambitious, fluent in Welsh, active, and love hiking and climbing outdoors.
Jenna Spear
Office Manager
In charge of the day to day running of the office, including all areas of administration, travel, website, and assisting the finance team when needed.
I have over 20 years of experience working in a variety of different companies including Solicitors, Accountants, Architects and Marine Consultants.
I enjoyed travelling in between these jobs and spent 2 years living in New Zealand with my husband.
I love working in a busy environment and we have a great team at Inyanga so this job is perfect.
Outside of the office I enjoy spending time exploring Cornwall with my family, eating out, and BBQ’s in the summer with family and friends.
Rae Ashley
Finance Manager
I’ve worked in Finance for over 20 years in various industries including Renewables, Financial Services & Construction, to name a few. Early in my career I started out as a Purchase Ledger Clerk and have worked my way up to my current position of Finance Manager here at Inyanga.
I am responsible for the day to day running of the finance side of things for Inyanga which involves, bank reconciliation, posting of purchase invoices, payroll administration, expenses, and monthly management accounts. I also work closely to support the Finance Director as Inyanga grows.
Out of the office I’m an avid rugby supporter and enjoy when the Premiership season starts, when living in Bristol I had a season ticket to Bristol Bears. Since moving to Cornwall I only get to watch it on TV, but hope to get out and about to see which local teams I can support and hopefully get to attend matches. I like to walk the dog with my husband on the various beaches in Cornwall and hope to get to sample the delicious foods that are about as we explore more of this beautiful county.