Talent to turn the tide on climate change

Ben Medland - MEng Hons DIS

Founder and CEO

Ben Medland is a visionary leader at the forefront of DRIFT Energy, a groundbreaking renewable energy initiative. With a relentless commitment to innovation, Ben has pioneered DRIFT as a new class of renewable energy.

  • Ben's expertise in systems engineering and innovative technological developments has garnered recognition, including remote telemetry for vehicles during the early days of mobile phones and a sound monitoring device used in baby incubators.

    Ben's impressive career spans from advanced projects at BAE Systems to his transformative role at Accenture, where he merged engineering acumen with business problem-solving. As the leader of Accenture's internal start-up Digital and Data Strategy, he successfully grew the venture into a $100m+ business across Europe. Ben's passion for sustainability and his son's inspiration led to the creation of DRIFT Energy.

    Ben has been nominated twice as a finalist of the Great British Entrepreneur Awards including Sustainability Entrepreneur and drove DRIFT to first hydrogen production in less than 1 year.

    Beyond his professional pursuits, Ben actively supports his local community and advocates for STEM education. His directorship at the Zero Emissions Ship Technology Association (ZESTAs) further showcase his commitment to making a positive impact.

CREW

  • Ben Medland

    Founder & CEO

  • Neal Pawson

    Head of Vessel Programme

  • Mike Mackay

    Head of Vessel Design

  • Natalie Coates

    Talent & Performance

  • Eric Kervaon

    Business Development & Funding

  • Nigel Robinson

    Investor Relations

Advisors

  • Susan Thomson

    MARITIME & ENERGY INDUSTY

    Susan Thomson MNM, AFNI, MSc is a Chartered Master Mariner and Marine Technologist and an ex-tanker captain with more than 20 years’ of operational and commercial experience in the maritime sector. She is an accomplished professional with a wealth of experience in leading and optimising operations within a global energy company. At present, she holds a position in Trading Operations at a leading oil and gas company.

  • Richard Boocock

    HYDROGEN ENGINEER

    Richard Boocock BSc, MBA, CEng, FIChemE, is a senior hydrogen specialist with a global career of over 30 years with Air Products. He specialised in gas plant engineering with experience in designing and commissioning multiple hydrogen plants. Richard has experience in almost every aspect of the industrial gases and hydrogen value chain, in all modes of supply, across a wide range of geographies. Richard led, developed, and implemented significant strategic global investment and transformation programmes, both as a C-Suite executive business leader and Chief Information Officer.

  • Chris Johnson

    GLOBAL ENERGY EXPERT

    Chris Johnson is a former member of Shell’s New Energies Leadership Team, leading all major transactions covering renewable power, power trading, retail power, e-mobility and hydrogen. He worked for over 25 years on some of Shell’s largest (multi-billion dollar), growth transactions particularly in power, natural gas / LNG, trading and biofuels. Chris has also held interim roles as CEO and CIO of a hydrogen private equity fund.​

  • Justin Keeble

    SUSTAINABILTY EXPERT

    Justin is a Managing Director for Global Sustainability at Google Cloud. He has over 25 years of experience in business strategy, technology and sustainability. Justin's expertise has been instrumental in driving sustainable practices and utilising digital technologies for growth and sustainability.

  • Dan Bernesconi

    AMERICAS CUP SAILBOAT DESIGNER

    With 20 years of experience in the industry, Daniel's track record speaks volumes about his exceptional skills and unwavering commitment to excellence. As the Chief Technical Officer at Team New Zealand, a powerhouse in the America's Cup competition, he has played a pivotal role in securing back-to-back victories in 2017 and 2021, cementing their position as true champions of the seas. Daniel is also a Founding Director of SumToZero, a cutting-edge yacht design consultancy that caters to the unique needs of the industry.

Collaborators

  • Tom White

    Thom White

    White Formula

    3rd generation shipbuilder with Olympic and world record heritage.

  • Henry White

    Henry White

    White Formula

    3rd generation shipbuilder with Olympic and world record heritage.

  • Rupert White

    Rupert White

    White Formula

    Professional sailor, ex-Team GB Olympic squad member.

  • Dan Bernesconi

    SumToZero

    Director SumToZero, Head of Design for ETNZ, 17 years America’s Cup and F1.

  • Lucie Leon

    Lucie Leon

    SumToZero

    Fluid Dynamics Engineer.

  • Andrew Perry

    Andrew Perry

    Faculty

    Director of Energy Transition and Environment.

  • Kate Orchard

    Kate Orchard

    Faculty

    Senior Manager, Energy Transition & Environment.

  • Laurance Cowton

    Laurance Cowton

    Faculty

    Lead Data Scientist.

  • Eric Hinds Mingo

    Eric Hinds Mingo

    Faculty

    Data Scientist - routing engineer.

  • Tony Griffiths

    Tony Griffiths

    Olwg

    CEO - Energy pre-development planning.

  • Emmanuel Kirunda

    Emmanuel Kirunda

    Olwg

    Hydrogen pre-development planning.