The National Subsea Research Initiative (NSRI) has appointed Tony Laing as its new director of research and market acceleration.

Laing has been an independent consultant within the oil and gas industry since 2015, delivering strategic commercial projects for a range of technology and engineering service companies as well as academia.

Prior to this he was global director of integrated solutions at Schlumberger and OneSubsea. He also held positions within Marathon, Boreas (Atkins), Aker and smaller technology companies.

Based at Subsea UK in Westhill, Aberdeen, he will take over the reins from Dr Gordon Drummond who has returned to Subsea 7 following his three year secondment to NSRI.

Tony Laing said: “NSRI has a major role to play as a knowledge hub for subsea research and development, not only within oil and gas but across the wider offshore renewable energy sectors including marine and ocean science. I believe I can apply my knowledge and experience to build upon the fantastic work that has been delivered to date, promoting technological innovation and ensuring the industry needs are met.”