Offshore Wind conference, 20th May, Bristol, UK

Foundation Ex 2025

Explore innovation. Exchange ideas. Expand minds.

Back for the 3rd edition. In 2025, let’s go deeper.

 

The countdown is on.

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About    |    Agenda    |    Speakers    |   Contact |   Empire Engineering

Foundation Ex is different. Properly technical. Radically innovative.

A one day in person conference tackling the big questions in offshore wind.

Event produced by Empire Engineering.

Foundation Ex will bring together experts from across the world in a series of dynamic keynote talks and workshops, sharing knowledge on cutting edge technical innovation in offshore wind turbine foundations.

Our supporters

Event Sponsor

Event Sponsor

Event Sponsor

Media Partner

ReNews logo for Foundation Ex

Event producer

Event partner

What to expect

A day sharing knowledge and celebrating success in the offshore wind industry

We live in turbulent times. Yes, the industry has scaled and global project pipelines continue to accelerate. Success however is not straight forward. Offshore wind is under the spotlight like never before. It is seen as 'a given' that offshore wind will be a major contributor to the energy transition. But to get there, we cannot keep doing what we have always done.

As we head into the second half of the decade, it is time to think deeper.

Event agenda

More information coming soon

We are currently putting the finishing touches on our agenda with the support of our expert advisory board. Full details will be published here very soon.

We expect many of our guests to arrive the day before on 19th of May. We will be hosting an official pre-party that evening complete with food and drinks for our delegates. We will also host an informal drinks after the conference on the evening of 20th May for those who choose to stay a little longer in our home of Bristol, UK.

The theme of the day

Let's go deeper

Foundation Ex will tackle the questions facing our industry head on. From looking at skills gaps to calling out leasing rounds and highlighting technical innovations, you'll find it all at Foundation Ex.

BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

Foundation Ex is the event
for Engineers by Engineers.

Foundation Ex is organised by the team at Empire Engineering, an established specialist consultancy for offshore wind turbine foundations. With thirty employees, five office locations internationally and more than ten years of successful project experience, we have worked on the largest and most challenging offshore wind developments around the globe. Our team of experts provides engineering management and design expertise for offshore wind farms, from feasibility to decommissioning.

Who will be talking?

Speakers and Moderators

A series of concise 15 minute technical presentations will be punctuated with breakout sessions and workshops to enhance the experience. We will be adding speakers as they confirm their participation.

Dr Eleni Minga

Dr Eleni Minga

Empire Engineering

Thor Petersen

Thor Petersen

NIRAS

Morten Lind

Morten Lind

Lind Engineering

Gillian Pollard

Gillian Pollard

Wood Thilsted

Mike Heilbronn

Mike Heilbronn

Scottish Power

Dr Aggie Georgiopoulou

Dr Aggie Georgiopoulou

Ternan Energy

Karl Davis

Karl Davis

Empire Engineering

Adrian Black

Adrian Black

Marine Labs

Matt Dickson

Matt Dickson

CorPower Ocean

Christian Mørch

Christian Mørch

C2Wind

Richard Eakin

Richard Eakin

ScottishPower

Speaker coming soon

Speaker coming soon

SLPE

Speaker coming soon

Speaker coming soon

Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy

Speaker coming soon

Speaker coming soon

Mingyang Wind Power

Nick Howard

Nick Howard

Empire Engineering

Speaker coming soon

Speaker coming soon

Worley

Speaker coming soon

Speaker coming soon

Arup

Speaker coming soon

Speaker coming soon

Ramboll

Speaker coming soon

Speaker coming soon

Entrion Wind

Speaker coming soon

Speaker coming soon

COWI

The environment on the day

Networking and collaboration

Foundation Ex will harness cross-disciplinary understanding, networking and collaboration in an energetic environment to promote the sharing of new ideas, all with the aim to facilitate the smooth transition to renewable energy.

With this in mind we're planning a sponsored drinks, food and networking event on the evening prior, followed by informal drinks on the evening of the conference.

Conference venue

Location

One Millennium Square, Anchor Road, Bristol, BS1 5DB
Our home for 2025 is ‘We The Curious,’ a science centre and educational charity on the Bristol harbourside. It is home to the UK’s only 3D Planetarium and is stuffed three stories full of toys for big kids to play with.

Tickets

We've intentionally kept the cost of attendance low to ensure the event is accessible to a cross section of our industry, providing an unrivalled opportunity to learn, make connections and share knowledge.

Early bird ticket:
£ 300 + VAT,  SOLD OUT

Standard ticket:
£ 350 + VAT, NOW AVAILABLE

Student ticket: 
CONTACT US TO APPLY

Foundation Ex event registration is now open

If you would like to take part in our event, please fill in your details in this Event Registration Form below.

Got a question?

FAQ

Access

Getting to the venue
You can find information about travelling to the venue in the getting here section on the We The Curious website.

Parking
There are 22 Blue Badge parking spaces underground in Millennium Square car park located across both floors.

The car park is fully accessible and there are lifts available to bring you up to ground level. The route from the lifts to the venue entrance is completely flat.

The are also drop off points for coaches and minibuses at ground level. If you’re arriving in a vehicle over 2m high, please contact us in advance.

Wheelchair loan
Two wheelchairs are available to borrow from the Welcome desk in the Foyer.

Assistance dogs
Are very welcome!

Accommodation

Bristol has a wide range of hotels available, with many in close walking distance of the venue and with good connections to Bristol Temple Meads, Bristol airport, and the centre.

We have negotiated a preferential rate for guests at the "The Bristol Hotel." Quote Foundation Ex 2025 when making a booking.

Our other recommended hotels include:

Address

We The Curious, One Millennium Square, Anchor Road, Harbourside, Bristol BS1 5DB

Getting to the venue

The venue is located on Bristol’s historic harbourside.

  • 5-10 minute walk from Bristol city centre
  • 20 minute walk from Bristol Temple Meads train station
  • 25 minute drive from Bristol airport
  • 2 hour drive from London Heathrow airport

Bristol airport

Bristol airport is a 20 to 30 minute drive away. Taxis are available from the taxi office which is conveniently located outside the terminal building at arrivals.

Bristol Flyer is an express bus service that connects Bristol airport with central Bristol. The service runs 24 hours daily, up to every 10 minutes. You can buy a ticket onboard or pre-book on Bristol Flyer’s website.

Cancellation policy

These terms and conditions apply to purchasing tickets to attend the Foundation Ex Conference 2025 organised by Empire Engineering Ltd, registered at Dean House 94 Whiteladies Road, Clifton, Bristol, England, BS8 2QX. By purchasing a ticket you are agreeing to accept these terms and conditions.

If you do not agree to accept the terms and conditions set out below, you should not purchase a ticket.

If you have any queries relating to our terms and conditions, please contact us before making a booking.

Event booking and cancellation

Cancellation of event

In the unlikely event that Empire Engineering have to cancel the event, we will refund any pre-paid ticket costs. Empire Engineering shall not be liable for reimbursing the cost of travel or accommodation arrangements made by individual delegates.

Cancellation of attendance at an event

If you are unable to attend an event and need to cancel a booking, we will not be providing refunds.

Alteration of event

In the event that Empire Engineering may need to alter or postpone the event due to implications caused by Covid-19, Empire Engineering will provide further information as soon as possible to attendees. If the event is obliged due to specific Government restrictions to cancel we will do our very best to postpone the event to an alternative date. Ticket fees will not be reimbursed if the event is postponed but will be valid for the rescheduled date.

Empire Engineering will endeavour to hold Foundation Ex virtually if the conference is unable to be held in person or successfully postponed due to COVID-19 related events. In this eventuality refunds or part-refunds will not be processed, but instead donated to a charitable cause. Empire Engineering shall not be liable for reimbursing the cost of travel or accommodation arrangements made by individual delegates.

Conditions of attendance

You must comply with instructions and directions given by staff, stewards and agents of the venue and Empire Engineering and any applicable policies and procedures of which you are notified.

We reserve the right to refuse access to, or remove any delegate from the event who, in our reasonable opinion has, or is likely to affect the enjoyment of the other delegates, in our reasonable opinion is acting under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or who uses threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour or who behaves in a manner which may cause a breach of the peace.

Recording disclaimer

During the event we may do one or all of the following:

  • Take general photographs
  • Record all audio output from the event
  • Video record the event proceedings
  • Live stream selected event proceedings.

Any subsequent photographs or recordings may be used in future Empire Engineering publicity materials only. All video and audio recordings and photographs will remain the property of Empire Engineering. By submitting this registration form, you are agreeing to the photographing and/or recording and/or filming of the proceedings, as described above, being made for future dissemination by Empire Engineering and third parties within whom it works in partnership.

If you wish NOT to be photographed or video recorded, please let the organisers know on arrival.

Limitation of liability

Personal arrangements including travel, accommodation or hospitality relating to any Empire Engineering event which have been arranged by you are at your own risk.

Neither Empire Engineering nor the venue will be responsible for any loss, theft or damage to your personal belongings, other than caused as a result of our negligence or that of the venue or other breach of statutory duty by us or the venue. Any such liability that arises shall be limited to a sum equal to the cost of the ticket purchase paid.

You will be responsible for paying for any damage which you cause to property at the venue including the cost of additional cleaning where charged by the venue.

Nothing in these terms and conditions will operate to limit or exclude liability of each party for death or personal injury arising out of its negligence, or for its fraud nor any other liability which cannot be excluded or limited under applicable law.

Subject to the paragraph above, in no circumstances will either party be liable to the other party for any loss of business, revenue, profits, anticipated savings or goodwill (whether direct or indirect) or for any indirect, special or consequential loss, arising out of or in connection with these terms and conditions and the event.

Health and safety

You must comply with all relevant legislation relating to health and safety and with any safety announcements and Venue regulations of which you are made aware whilst attending any Empire Engineering event.

Force majeure

For the purposes of these terms and conditions, “force majeure” means any cause beyond our reasonable control including, but not limited to, war, acts of terrorism, governmental requirements, acts of local or central government or other competent authorities, acts of God and industrial disputes.

We will not be liable to you for failure to perform any obligation under these terms and conditions or in relation to your booking to the extent that the failure is caused by force majeure.

Car parking

The nearest parking is in Millennium Square car park (BS1 5LL). Alternative car parking can be found at The Grove (BS1 4RB).

You can find more car parks on the TravelWest website.

Catering and refreshments

Lunch and snacks will be provided. Freshly brewed coffee, tea and infusions will be available throughout the day. Please confirm when booking if you have any dietary requirements.

Code of conduct

Our conference is dedicated to providing a harassment-free conference experience for everyone, regardless of gender, gender identity and expression, age, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, ethnicity, religion (or lack thereof), or technology choices. We do not tolerate harassment of conference participants in any form. Sexual language and imagery is not appropriate for any conference venue, including talks, workshops, parties and online media. Conference participants violating these rules may be expelled from the conference without a refund at the discretion of the conference organisers.

Harassment includes offensive verbal comments related to gender, gender identity and expression, age, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, ethnicity, religion, technology choices, sexual images in public spaces, deliberate intimidation, stalking, following, harassing photography or recording, sustained disruption of talks or other events, inappropriate physical contact, and unwelcome sexual attention.

Participants asked to stop any harassing behaviour are expected to comply immediately.

If a participant engages in harassing behaviour, the conference organisers may take any action they deem appropriate, including warning the offender or expulsion from the conference with no refund.

If you are being harassed, notice that someone else is being harassed, or have any other concerns, please contact a member of conference staff immediately. Conference staff can be identified as they'll be wearing branded clothing and/or badges.

We expect participants to follow these rules at conference and conference-related social events.

Cloakroom

A cloakroom will be provided on the day, but this may not be manned at all times. We take no responsibility for lost, stolen or damaged goods.

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted anywhere within the venue or balcony. Please leave the building and move to the harbourside if you want to smoke.

Wi-Fi

Wi-fi is available throughout the venue.

We will provide details on the day.