PRESENTERS

STEVEN MAKIN
BP

Steven is a Senior Project General Manager (within BP’s Global Project Management organization) responsible for the project leadership of the H2Teeside hydrogen project.

He has over 30 years of experience in leading multi-billion dollar development projects around the world in places such as UK, US, Azerbaijan, Angola, Egypt and Mauritania & Senegal and has worked with many global governments and stakeholders during his career.  Steven has extensive experience in the Oil and Gas industry having worked on developing Onshore gas terminals, Offshore oil platforms, LNG facilities, Subsea pipelines / production systems and Floating production vessels. As the world and BP makes the transition to sustainable low carbon solutions, Steve’s new focus is on progressing the H2Teesside hydrogen project in Teesside, UK.

Steven is both a qualified Chartered Mechanical Engineer and a Fellow of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers.

He was born and lived his earlier years in NW England on the Wirral in Cheshire but now resides in Weybridge, Surrey with his GP wife and three children.

BRIAN ARCHER
Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council


Brian was recently appointed Director of Growth, Enterprise and Environment at Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council following successful Managing Director and Chief Executive roles, which include 20 years’ public, and private sector experience delivering economic, social and environmental benefits to businesses and the community.

He has broad knowledge and skills across national and local government, spanning education, economic growth, entrepreneurship, innovation, skills and the environment. Brian went from starting his own small business during the 1980s to being a director in a £5Bn company operating in 30 countries and employing 130,000 people.

A former MBA graduate from Leeds University Business School and with an MSc in Entrepreneurship he has first-hand experience of what it takes to succeed and is passionate about innovation and entrepreneurship as a route to overcoming disadvantage and delivering sustainable prosperity for all.


JASON FAULKNER
Redcar & Clevend Borough Council


Born in Teesside, Jason has over 20 years' experience in further education, following a career in the army spanning 14 years, serving in countries around the world.    

Jason started his career in education as a Prince’s Trust Team Leader working with some of the most vulnerable young people in society. Jason spent 15 years of his career at Stockton Riverside College leading the College curriculum development including the building of the skills Academy to support NEETS across Stockton on Tees. 

In August 2018 Jason was appointed as the Principal of Redcar and Cleveland College following the merger with Stockton Riverside College. Using all his leadership skills and with a fantastic team Jason has transformed Redcar and Cleveland College. Now the leading College in Tees Valley for all things Energy. The Clean Energy Education Hub opened its doors in May 2023 to support the Green revolution in our journey towards net zero. Funded primarily by the Redcar Town Deal fund and supported by companies such as bp, Northern Gas Networks, Northern Renewables, Sembcorp, Parker Hannafin and many more the Centre will support skills training for years to come.  

As the Executive Principal at the Education Training Collective Jason leads Redcar and Cleveland College, Neta Training and several cross-Group responsibilities to support the delivery of education across Redcar and Cleveland and Stockton on Tees.