EVENTS

 

The UK green hydrogen market could be worth £30–£90 billion by 2050 (Optimat Wood, 2022), presenting significant long-term opportunities for SMEs, especially early movers. With strong and growing support from the UK and devolved governments for supply chain development, the region is primed for investment and innovation.

This webinar will explore the key findings of the ‘South Wales and South West England Hydrogen Economy Report’. Divided into two parts, the session first examines the hydrogen supply chain, outlining policy initiatives, market opportunities, and support available for SMEs, investors, and advisors. The second part highlights existing regional projects, showing the socio-economic benefits of engaging with green innovation.

Green hydrogen offers huge potential, but realising it requires understanding where opportunities lie, how policy and market forces interact, and which projects are leading the way. In this session, we’ll unpack the report’s findings and explore questions such as:

• What are the key supply chain opportunities in hydrogen for SMEs?

• Which policies and government support mechanisms can help businesses grow?

• How do existing projects deliver socio-economic value through green innovation?

Our expert speakers will provide a clear view of the regional hydrogen landscape, helping businesses and stakeholders identify actionable opportunities.

Agenda

• 12:00 – 12:10 – Welcome and introduction

• 12:10 – 12:35 – Keynote presentation: Findings from the hydrogen economy report, supply chain opportunities, and available support

Presented by Laura Norris, Author of the report
Webinar chaired by Karen Brooks, Deputy Director, GW-SHIFT, University of Bath

• 12:35 – 12:55 – Panel discussion: Exploring key themes from the report and regional hydrogen projects

Chaired by Karen Brooks, Deputy Director, GW-SHIFT, University of Bath
Panellists to be confirmed

• 12:55 – 13:00 – Closing remarks and next steps

Meet the author

Dr Laura Norris-Webster, Policy and Social Transformation Lead, Net Zero Innovation Institute, Cardiff University

Dr Laura Norris-Webster is an economic geographer specialising in Net Zero technologies and the geography of sustainability transitions. Her research focuses on innovation, decarbonization, and the regional economy, seeking to understand how to support net-zero technology proliferation, how these activities may support resilience and growth, or how the displacement of carbon-intensive activities may introduce risk.

Meet the panellists

Anna Lewis, Decarbonisation Project Manager, Caerphilly County Borough Council

Anna Lewis is an experienced Decarbonisation Project Manager within Caerphilly County Borough Council, specialising in executing high‑impact decarbonisation initiatives across the local authority. With a strong background in delivering externally funded decarbonisation projects, as well as decarbonisation. Anna leads large scale decarbonisation projects from concept through to implementation, ensuring they are shaped around the needs of residents, communities, and strategic organisational priorities.  Anna brings extensive experience in stakeholder engagement, routinely consulting residents, consultants, contractors, and senior decision‑makers.

 

Frazer Ely, Founder, Latent Drive

Frazer is an electro-mechanical engineer with over 30 years of hands-on experience developing new technology across start-ups and large global companies. As CEO of Latent Drive, he leads the development of the company’s core technologies: Catrodes – high-performance, platinum-group-metal-free stainless-steel electrodes – and SeaStack, the world’s first commercial direct seawater-to-hydrogen electrolyser for offshore deployment.

Who should attend?

This session is ideal for:

• SMEs exploring opportunities in the hydrogen supply chain

• Investors, analysts, and advisors in clean technologies

• Policymakers and local authorities engaged in decarbonisation strategies

• Anyone interested in understanding how green hydrogen can drive economic and innovation growth

By registering for this event, you’ll automatically receive a copy of the report when it’s published, giving you plenty of time to review it before hearing additional insights from the author and panel at the event and to prepare any questions you’d like to ask.

If you can’t attend the event, please complete this form, and we’ll send you the report when it’s published.

Register now to secure your place