Former Chancellor to Speak at an Annual Energy Dinner (UK)

Former Chancellor Alistair Darling will be the keynote speaker, alongside European Commissioner for Energy Gunther Oettinger and chief executive officer of Maersk Oil, Jakob Thomasen, at an annual energy dinner to be held in Aberdeen this week.

The Rt. Hon Alistair Darling MP, who led the Exchequer from 2007 to 2010 under the last Labour Government, will address the Aberdeen, Highlands and Islands Branch of the Energy Institute’s flagship event at the Marcliffe at Pitfodels.

Confirmation of Oettinger’s attendance at the dinner comes as he confirms Britain could keep its existing legislation framework led by the Health and Safety Executive following the European Commission’s plans to place a raft of new continent-wide regulations on the oil and gas industry later this year.

The Energy Institute black tie event, which receives administrative support from offshore catering and hotelkeeping specialist Trinity International Services, attracts business leaders from across the UK and further afield on February 28, will also include a light-hearted address from the president of the Scottish Highlands Games Association Jim Brown.

Alan Higgins, spokesman for the Energy Institute’s Aberdeen, Highlands and Islands branch, says: “This is a significant date in the event calendar for the energy industry throughout the North and North-east of Scotland and is a tribute to the role the country plays in leading the global energy sector.

“The calibre of our speakers, as well as a guest list of 400 energy leaders, matches the importance of the occasion and I have no doubt that Alistair Darling will deliver an insightful speech, having served 24 years on the front line of British politics.

“I have no doubt that guests will be very much looking forward to hearing from Gunther Oettinger following his stance on Britain and the European Commission’s plans to introduce continent-wide rules for the offshore sector.

“Jakob Thomasen is also well placed to address an audience of energy leaders. After joining Maersk in 1988 as a geologist he has worked his way to sit at the helm of the global oil and gas production company.”

Stuart MacBride, chairman of Trinity International Services, says: “Aberdeen is still very much the oil capital of Europe and the Eastern hemisphere. The Energy Institute dinner is a testament to the city, which remains one of the best places in the UK to do business.

“We have had the honour of organising and facilitating the annual Energy Institute dinner for the last ten years and look forward to the world’s energy leaders attending while Dr. Stewart Spence’s team at the Marcliffe deliver the best local produce and hospitality.”

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Press Release, February 25, 2013; Image: nationalarchives.gov.uk