Rachel Furlong

Role: Stakeholder & Consents Manager

Employer: Corio

What I do: As Stakeholder and Consents Manager, I am responsible for leading our stakeholder engagement with key environmental stakeholders, coordinating the environmental surveys needed to support the project consent application and securing the relevant planning consents and licences required to construct and operate the project.

What I like about my role: Every day is different and I’m constantly learning, whether it’s about new survey techniques, innovations in engineering or new marine species (Ocean Quahog being a recent example!), every day brings something new and challenging. 

What drives me: Contributing to a sector that’s actively doing something to mitigate the impact of climate change.

My career path: Having graduated in Biology, I was keen to work in a role that applies this knowledge in a practical way.  Early in my career, I worked for the RSPB (one of the UK’s largest conservation charities) supporting their work on climate change policy and the sensitive deployment of renewables.  I completed a Masters degree in Planning and undertook a secondment to a leading renewable energy developer.  Following that I focused on marine policy and consenting for The Crown Estate before moving onto ScottishPower Renewables for over 10 years, managing their Planning & Environmental Policy Team.

What attracted you to ODOW: The opportunity to work on one of the next generation of windfarms in the UK.  The project is committed to delivering environmental net gain so as well as generating lots of clean, green renewable energy, we will be developing innovative plans to enhance the environment locally.

Fun Fact about me: I was an actor / writer / prop maker / roadie for an Edinburgh based amateur film company.