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By Hannah Damary-Wilson, Commercial Director, Specialist Wind Services

When I found out I had been shortlisted in the Future Leader category at the Global Offshore Wind Awards 2025, my first thought wasn’t about the ceremony in London, or even about myself – it was about the journey, the people, and the purpose behind this recognition.

My career hasn’t been straightforward. I didn’t step neatly into renewables with a ready-made path. I came from running a self-funded rail subcontracting business, where every decision was make-or-break and every lesson came the hard way. It taught me resilience, responsibility, and the cost of carrying something on your shoulders when failure isn’t an option.

But alongside business, there was always family. I know the strain of trying to juggle working long hours, making sacrifices, and still being present at home. Those experiences have shaped the way I lead today. They’ve given me empathy for the people who make this sector work: the contractors offshore, missing milestones at home, the teams putting in long shifts, the families waiting for them.

That’s why at Specialist Wind Services, our priorities are clear: safety, contractor welfare, and innovation. Not slogans, not buzzwords – but lived values. Safety means everyone goes home. Contractor welfare means we look after the people as much as the project. Innovation means building solutions that stand the test of time.

For the business, this shortlisting is also a moment of recognition. It shows that the culture we’re building at SWS – one that refuses to compromise on safety, that champions contractor welfare, and that brings fresh thinking to the table – is being noticed across the industry. It underlines that we’re not just another name in the supply chain, but a company determined to set a new standard and play our part in shaping the sector’s future.

Being shortlisted as a Future Leader is an honour, but more than that, it’s a reminder of why we started SWS in the first place: to build differently, to serve better, and to set a new standard in the industry.

For me personally, it’s also about legacy. I want my children to see that leadership is about integrity, about listening as much as speaking, and about leaving something behind that makes life better for the next generation. That’s what drives me every day – the belief that progress only matters if people are at the centre of it.

So while this shortlist is a proud milestone, it’s also just the beginning. At SWS, we’re determined to keep pushing forward – Powering progress. Delivering today. Shaping tomorrow.

Specialist Wind Services (SWS) is proud to announce that our Commercial Director, Hannah Damary-Wilson, has been shortlisted in the Future Leader category at the Global Offshore Wind Awards 2025, hosted by RenewableUK.

The Future Leader award recognises individuals who are driving innovation, collaboration, and meaningful change across the renewable energy sector. Hannah’s shortlisting reflects not only her commercial leadership, but also her commitment to safety, contractor welfare, and creating opportunities for the next generation in the Humber and beyond.

Leadership rooted in reality

Hannah’s approach to leadership has always been about connecting strategy with real-world delivery. With a background in rail and a proven track record in wind, she brings a practical, technician-informed perspective to a sector often dominated by top-down viewpoints.

“For me, leadership is about people,” Hannah explains. “It’s about making sure what we put on paper works in practice offshore, on site, and across supply chains. It’s about listening as much as leading, being straightforward, and ensuring the work we do truly benefits people and communities.”

Championing innovation and skills

In the past year, Hannah has helped shape new approaches in areas such as lifecycle integrity and decommissioning, supporting operators to plan more responsibly across the full lifespan of their assets. She has also been active in advancing the idea of a Renewable Transition Impact (RTI) Dashboard, designed to measure the sector’s real-world impact on clean growth, jobs, and regional skills.

Her focus is not only on commercial delivery, but on making sure the benefits of the energy transition are widely shared. From contractor welfare and reliable pay, to building credible career pathways in the Humber, Hannah has been a consistent voice for putting values into action.

A proud moment for SWS

“Hannah is a standout force in the renewable sector, leading with clarity, purpose, and care,” said Lewis Wilson, Managing Director. “She has an ability to bridge strategy and operations in a way that builds trust and delivers real value – for clients, contractors, and communities alike. We’re proud to see her recognised among the sector’s brightest future leaders.”

👏 We also extend our congratulations to all of the nominees for this year’s Global Offshore Wind Awards – a strong reminder of the talent and innovation driving our industry forward.

About the awards

The Global Offshore Wind Awards 2025 will take place on Tuesday 14 October 2025 at the Royal Lancaster London, celebrating excellence across offshore wind. Winners will be announced live on the night.

👉 Check out the full list of shortlisted nominees on RenewableUK’s website here: https://bit.ly/4oILr3r

Last Thursday night at the Humber Renewables Awards, Specialist Wind Services (SWS) was named Small Business of the Year — and after a bank holiday weekend to reflect, we’re feeling both proud and deeply grateful.

This award is more than a trophy on the shelf. It’s recognition of the vision, grit, and innovation we’ve poured into SWS from day one — to be a specialist ISP that thinks beyond the now, and pioneers what’s next for the offshore wind sector.

At SWS, we’re not just responding to industry challenges — we’re actively building solutions.

Over the past year, we’ve:

⚙️ Rolled out a cross-training initiative to tackle the offshore wind skills shortage by transitioning safety-critical professionals from industries like rail
🤝 Engaged national policy leaders — including a strategic proposal to Ed Miliband — to accelerate skills development for the UK renewables sector
♻️ Pushed forward the conversation around sustainable decommissioning, a future-defining issue that can’t be ignored
🌍 Invested in digital strategies to promote the Humber’s wind excellence to international markets like Canada, the US, and Norway

We are proud to be part of the Humber wind cluster, and we believe our region has the talent, infrastructure, and boldness to lead the world in offshore wind.

As we grow, we’re actively looking to deepen our relationships with local Tier 1 companies and regional partners. We know that real progress is made through collaboration — and we’re ready to play our part.

📣 To the local wind industry — this is our call to action:

If you’re a local wind industry leader, project stakeholder, or regional champion, we want to work with you. Let’s build together, train together, innovate together, and show the world what the Humber is made of.

Thank you to the Humber Renewables Awards for this incredible honour. And thank you to everyone who has backed us, believed in us, and walked with us on this journey.

The future is bright — and at SWS, we’re just getting started.