Our People

Stephen Marcos Jones is the Chief Executive Officer at OPITO.  

Stephen has spent more than a decade in senior leadership roles representing the UK’s energy sector on the global stage across various organisations. 

Stephen was appointed a non-executive director for OPITO UK and Europe in 2016, and OPITO International in 2020, before relinquishing these positions to join as CEO in March 2024. 

Stephen is a passionate champion of skills, apprenticeships and workforce engagement, and the role of people in delivering the energy transition.  

With diverse experience, focus on effective partnerships and track record of delivery, Stephen provides OPITO with strategic and operational direction across the global business. 

Darren Thow is the Chief Financial Officer at OPITO.  

Darren has over 25 years’ finance experience working in the energy industry, joining OPITO in April 2017 on an interim basis as Financial Controller. He was appointed as Director of Finance and Corporate Services in July 2017, before becoming our Chief Financial Officer in December 2022.   

Darren is a Chartered Accountant (ICAS), and oversees OPITO’s global Finance, Quality Systems and Compliance, Data Management and Digital Services teams.  

Darren also has Leadership Team responsibility for The HUB, our web-based, digital resource centre that is designed to improve communication and collaboration with our global network of training centres. 

Ewen Hay is the Director of Products and Services at OPITO.  

With over 20 years’ experience working in training and competence management roles in the energy industry, both in the UK and internationally, Ewen joined OPITO in 2013 as Standards Manager, before becoming Director of Products and Services in 2016. 

Ewen is responsible for leading the development of OPITO’s products and services in all regions, ensuring they are recognised as the highest quality across the global energy industry. 

Ewen is currently a member of the SCQF Quality Committee and IOGP Safety Committee, as well as being actively involved in many stakeholder working groups within the energy industry.  

Kirsten is the Head of Marketing and Communications. 

With more than 15 years’ experience in global marketing and communications roles, Kirsten joined OPITO in 2024 as Marketing and Communications Manager, before being appointed as Head of Marketing and Communications in 2025. 

Based at OPITO’s Aberdeen Centre of Excellence, Kirsten leads OPITO’s global brand, marketing and communications activity across OPITO, My Energy Future and APTUS. Her remit also includes oversight of OPITO’s events portfolio, including delivery of our flagship event, OPITO Global. 

Passionate about developing the future energy workforce and strengthening long-term talent pipelines, Kirsten also leads OPITO’s social value function. In this role, she oversees the development and implementation of OPITO’s global social value strategy, monitoring performance, and identifying opportunities to further enhance the organisation’s social impact. 

Michael Love is the Head of Skills Policy at OPITO.  

Michael has nearly 15 years’ experience in skills, policy and quality-orientated fields across the oil and gas, maritime and wider offshore renewables sectors. Michael joined OPITO in 2018 as a member of the Quality Assurance team covering the UK, Europe and Americas regions, then held the position of Quality Assurance Manager of the Americas in 2020. Michael joined the Energy Transition Team at the end of 2021, before becoming Head of Skills Policy in March 2023.  

Michael and his team have a critical role in delivering the people and skills commitments associated with the North Sea Transition Deal Integrated People and Skills Strategy. He is responsible for the organisation’s government engagement, consultation responses and lobbying activity, labour market intelligence and research, and enacting both domestic and international policy strategies. 

Michael regularly attends industry events providing updates on skills-related matters, delivering presentations, and participating in panel sessions. Michael also maintains memberships of the Chartered Quality Institute and the Institute of Directors, sits on IOGP's European Committee, and is a board member of NCFE.