Net Zero Technology: Innovation Priorities 2025-2035

Luca Corradi

Luca works to bring “the outside in”, connecting innovators and academics across sectors and disciplines, to explore the latest technologies that could be adopted to address oil and gas industry challenges. Leading The Net Zero Technology Centre’s horizon scanning activity, he identifies emerging technology trends, cutting through the hype to identify potential areas of impact and application. With a background in business and organisational change leadership, Luca has developed a strong network and is passionate about harnessing this to deliver the next generation of the net zero energy industry.

Outside work Luca loves reading, music and travel. He is married with two young daughters and a dog. He enjoys the rare motorbike ride in Scotland and even rarer ski trip on the Alps.

Graeme Booth

Graeme Booth has 30 years of experience in senior positions within aerospace, power, and energy industries, integrating digital solutions with engineering. He has extensive experience across the product lifecycle, applying data analytics, digital simulation and energy system modeling to drive innovation and support decision-making.

As Head of Digital Technology at the Net Zero Technology Centre, Graeme leads the digital strategy and technology roadmap to enable the energy transition. He is currently focussed on establishing a Digital Centre of Excellence focussed on accelerating adoption of digital technology and advises on the wider NZTC digital portfolio. Prior to NZTC he was Chief Engineer for Digital Technology for two multinational organisations (gas turbines and energy).

Graeme holds a BEng in Aeronautical Engineering from Glasgow University, is a Chartered Engineer (CEng) and Member of the Royal Aeronautical Society, is co-chair of the Common Data Toolkit within the NSTA Digital Strategy Group and a member of the Technology Leadership Board Digital Workstream.

Hayleigh Barnett

Hayleigh Barnett is the Technology Principal for Hydrogen, Alternative Fuels, and CCUS at the Net Zero Technology Centre. In this role, she delivers on and oversees the strategic direction and delivery of key initiatives across these focus areas. Her work spans the development of innovative projects such as the Hydrogen Backbone Link, the Energy Hubs project and Phase 2 of the Hydrogen Offshore Production project.

With over 12 years of experience in engineering and business development, Hayleigh brings a strong blend of technical expertise and commercial insight. She has successfully delivered a wide range of projects—from early-stage technology concepts to detailed engineering projects— and has also supported the development of early technology readiness level concepts. With her clear communication and collaborative approach, Hayleigh is passionate about driving forward sustainable energy solutions.

Martyn Tulloch

Martyn Tulloch is a chartered engineer with nearly 30 years of experience in the energy sector. As Director of Energy Transition at the Net Zero Technology Centre, he leads initiatives in hydrogen, carbon capture and storage (CCUS), and offshore wind to drive sustainable energy solutions.

Martyn has delivered large-scale projects in renewables, hydrogen, and coastal defense, working with organisations to shape energy transition strategies. With expertise in stakeholder engagement and business case development, he is a trusted leader in advancing low-carbon technologies.

He holds a Master’s in Maritime and Offshore Civil Engineering from the University of Liverpool and a B.Eng in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Edinburgh.

Niki Chambers

Darren Gee

Darren Gee is a System Engineer, with experience across a number of Industries delivered worldwide. Darren has over 18 years experience in the oil and gas industry – from Work Package Engineer through Test Engineering and Engineering and Project Management. Darren has a background in Aviation and Subsea Engineering and has delivered a number of large engineering projects including first of type systems including Workover Systems, Subsea Compression and Robotic inspection vehicles. Darren has been involved in many Subsea Production Controls projects directly within engineering delivery, through Project Engineering and leading Engineering departments including Systems and Project Delivery,  Analysis, and the Chief Engineers office.

As Head of Government Projects at NZTC, Darren is responsible for all projects delivered through direct or partnered arrangements with Governments. Previous to this position Darren led the NZTTP through to the Industrial phase and previously managed the Energy Hubs phase one working with a variety of partners, contractors and stakeholders to develop technologies required to enable these projects, covering areas of Hydrogen Production (on and offshore)  inc, utilisation, storage and by-products along with Alternative fuels, and CCS

Iain Martin

Iain Martin is a business-focused technical specialist with over 25 years of experience across CCUS, consultancy, and delivering first-of-a-kind projects. He leads NZTC’s CCUS roadmap where he is responsible for identifying and delivering key projects. Iain has delivered NZTC’s innovation Call for Ideas process, resulting in over 200 ideas, 20 approved projects, and more than £5 million in funding. He has also helped secure £3 million from DESNZ to deliver a first-of-a-kind direct air capture pilot plant.

Iain holds an MSc in Oil and Gas innovation and an MSc by Research in Geophysics, and he is a PMP-certified professional.

Jason Paterson

Jason Paterson is a senior leader with over 12 years of international experience in the mining and energy industries.

As Technology Principal, he leads a team of analysts and engineers to deliver the centre’s technology roadmap for Offshore Renewables and Grid development.

His team supports NZTC’s broader Net Zero activities by identifying emerging technologies and their industrial applications, as well as delivering strategic thought leadership content to support the organization’s wider strategy.

Emma Swiergon

Emma Swiergon is an experienced technology manager with over 12 years of experience across the energy sector and consultancy, with over 5 years specialising in hydrogen and energy transition projects. At NZTC, she leads strategic initiatives, NZTC’s Hydrogen roadmap, delivers key technology development projects, and produces industry reports and thought leadership articles.

Emma’s expertise spans project management, technical analysis, stakeholder engagement, risk assessments, safety studies, and safety case development for offshore assets. Emma supports business cases, proposals, and funding requests, with current projects including HOP2, ScotWind-2-Hy. Additionally, she provides support to Hydrogen Backbone Link and Energy Hubs and contributes to working groups and forums to advance the hydrogen economy.

She holds a Master’s degree in Environmental Monitoring, Modelling, and Reconstruction, and a BSc in Geology and Physical Geography.

Lewis Harper

Lewis Harper brings over a decade of expertise in subsea engineering with experience across IRM, Diving and subsea construction/decommissioning scopes. Lewis has been instrumental in driving business development initiatives and has played a pivotal role in growing support for our collaborative activities.

As Programme Manager for Collaborations at NZTC, Lewis oversees a range of projects working alongside industry partners. He leads The Wells Decommissioning Collaboration, which aims to accelerate the qualification and commercialisation of well plug and abandonment technologies. Additionally, he manages the CCS Components Collaboration and the Methane Measurement JIP.

Alex Macdonald

Alex Macdonald is a strategic digital transformation leader with a track record of project delivery and turning ideas into value through innovative technology development. As Digital Technology Manager at Net Zero Technology Centre, Alex has strong expertise in digital transformation, remote operations, digital worker, and project delivery. He has played a key role in the design and development of all NZTC Digital strategies and roadmaps with ownership of the Smart Asset and Field Automation theme. Alex developed the successfully funded business case for the Advancing Remote Operations (ARO) project, leading it to phase 2.

With a career spanning over two decades, Alex has worked internationally across industries, including offshore and onshore operations, helping people and organisations adopt new digital solutions and improve their operations. Known for a practical and results-driven approach, Alex combines technical knowledge with leadership skills and a personal approach to deliver meaningful outcomes for teams and businesses.

Actively involved in industry leadership programmes, Alex is Better Business Case accredited, a Certified Training Practitioner and holds a BSc in Computing & Information from Robert Gordon University.

Catherine Sherwin

With over 13 years of experience in the energy industry, Catherine has worked across Subsurface, Technology and Environmental disciplines. Catherine started her career as a geologist for an oil and gas operator, covering development, exploration and operations, before moving to the latter end of the upstream business into crude offloads and supply operations working closely with a number of UK Terminals.

For the last 5+ years Catherine has worked in Technology building expertise in technology management, governance and strategy, with a strong focus on identifying, tracking, trialling and deploying technologies on and offshore UK.

Catherine has always had a particular interest in decarbonisation and emissions reduction which lead her to a role within the environmental discipline before combining both interests and expertise together.  At NZTC, she holds the role of Emissions Reduction / Industrial Decarbonisation Technology Manager.

She holds a Masters in Petroleum Geoscience from Imperial College, London and a Geoscience M.Sci from University of Durham.

Rebecca Allison

Rebecca Allison is an established and committed leader in the energy sector, spearheading efforts to accelerate the transition to net zero. As Chief Operations Officer at the Net Zero Technology Centre (NZTC), she leads the delivery of critical technology programmes and services that will drive industry’s evolution towards a more sustainable future.

With over two decades of experience, Rebecca has a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. This includes identifying and appraising existing technology readiness, and championing the latest advancements in innovations that are reducing emissions from existing facilities and unlocking the full potential of an integrated energy system.

As a highly driven and motivated leader, Rebecca is known for her strategic planning and communication skills, which she uses to manage even the most complex projects.

Outside work Rebecca spends most of her time at the Ellon Scout Hut, coaching and mentoring over 80 young people in developing their outdoor skills. If she’s not camping in all weathers then she enjoys time with her two children, her patient husband and a very mad black Labrador.