Powering on to a new career with Banks Renewables

Experienced minerals and mining operations engineer enjoys new challenge as windfarm manager

AN experienced engineer is powering his way to a new career with the renewable energy arm of The Banks Group.

Richard Warrior spent more than three decades working for Banks’ minerals and mining operations, working his way up through the firm to become a technical engineering and process manager within its plant division and, most recently, an engineering supervisor at the Shotton and Brenkley Lane surface mines in Northumberland.

But he has now moved his focus from the ground to the air to become a wind farm manager with Banks Renewables, one of the leading owner/operators in the UK’s onshore wind sector.

Mr Warrior is now responsible for ensuring the safe and efficient operation of five of Banks Renewables’ onshore wind farms, including their two North East wind farms – Moor House wind farm, near Darlington, and the Lambs Hill wind farm to the north west of Stockton.

He is also looking after two of the family-owned firm’s four schemes in Yorkshire – Hook Moor wind farm to the east of Leeds and Hazlehead wind farm near Barnsley – as well as Armistead wind farm in south Cumbria.

More than 430,000MWh of green electricity was generated across the Co. Durham-based firm’s overall portfolio of 10 onshore wind farms, which are located across Scotland and the north of England, during its last financial year.

That is enough to meet the annual electricity needs of over 110,000 homes, or a town around the size of Gateshead.

Mr Warrior (pictured) said: ‘This is a totally different role to what I’ve done previously, but I’m really enjoying the challenge of learning about a new industry and getting to grips with all the different parts of my job.

‘Many of the problem-solving skills that I’ve developed over the years are just as applicable in my new role as they were previously, and while there’s been a lot to learn to get fully up to speed with my new role, I’m being well supported by my new colleagues and getting lots of training that’s helping me build on my engineering knowledge every day.

‘I’ve enjoyed working for Banks for more than three decades and am really pleased to have the chance to start this new chapter of my career with the company.’

Dan Thomas, operations and grid director at Banks Renewables, added: ‘Richard brings an impressive range of skills to his new role, as well as real enthusiasm for the job and a willingness to learn about a new sector and we’re really pleased to have him as part of our team.’