The Solent Cluster gains its first board member as new Chair steps up to lead decarbonisation efforts

A major decarbonisation initiative in the South is picking up pace with the appointment of Anne-Marie Mountifield as Chair.

The Solent Cluster is a cross-sector collaboration between international manufacturers and engineers, regional businesses and industries, logistics and infrastructure operators, and academic institutions.

With their combined expertise in carbon capture and storage and hydrogen technology, together these groups are setting out to substantially cut down on CO₂ emissions from industry, transport, and households.

Anne joins the Cluster after spending 20 years in various senior executive leadership roles, most recently as Chief Executive of the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership.

She has also taken top positions in the Civil Service, local government, and further education, having started out as a Business Lecturer at Fareham College.

Anne said: “I’m thrilled to have been selected as Chair for The Solent Cluster.

“I’m looking forward to working together with the Cluster members to drive the agenda for decarbonisation in the region forward.

“The Cluster provides a platform for the excellent work that is already taking place and has a unique opportunity to affect real change in energy production and consumption.

“To lead this is an honour.”

Anne’s appointment represents the first of many, as a suite of directors and executive directors – along with her Deputy Chair – are also soon to be announced.

The Cluster will draw upon a wide range of both public and private organisations for its leadership, with the Board set to collaborate on a long-term strategy to attract investment and opportunity to the region.

The aim is to put the Solent at the centre of low carbon fuel production, potentially capturing up to 10 million tonnes of CO₂ each year.

• thesolentcluster.com