Our People
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Stephen Marcos Jones
Chief Executive Officer
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.
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Alex Spencer
Chief Operating Officer
Alex Spencer is the Chief Operating Officer at OPITO.
With over 14 years’ experience working in the energy industry, Alex joined OPITO in March 2013 as an Approvals Auditor. He has since held the positions of Regional Approvals Manager (UK, Europe and US), Director of Operations, and was more recently appointed to his current role as Chief Operating Officer in September 2023.
Alex’s role includes the overall management of six key teams that are responsible for operational capabilities, compliance, stakeholder engagement, business planning and forecasting.
Alex is currently a Non-Executive Director at Aberdeen Science Centre, a Non-Executive Director at the East of England Energy Group (EEEGR) and a Member of Institute of Directors.
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Darren Thow
Chief Financial Officer
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.
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Ewen Hay
Director of Products and Services
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.
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Lisa McKay
Director of People and Corporate Services
Lisa McKay is the Director of People and Corporate Services at OPITO.
With over 20 years’ experience working in organisational development, people management and learning and development roles, Lisa joined OPITO in 2021 as People and Organisation Development Manager. She has since held the position of Head of People and Organisational Development, before being appointed as Director of People and Corporate Services in May 2023.
Lisa is responsible for the Corporate Services, People and Organisational Development, Marketing and Communications, and Modern Apprenticeship functions in OPITO, ensuring they effectively meet the needs of key stakeholders.
Lisa is currently a member of CIPD and actively participates in stakeholder steering groups within the energy industry.
