In her newly appointed role, Gray will oversee permitting work across Pioneer’s trans-Atlantic and European regions.
Gray enters the role with over 20 years of marine management work and a Ph.D. in fish ecotoxicology. She has used her experience on a range of pivotal projects for the company, including pioneering marine spatial planning and in improving Scotland’s approach to the capture of fishermen’s knowledge in the marine planning regime.
Through her work on the Shetland Islands, she played an influential role in marine planning reform, and the development of the Marine Scotland Act.
"During my first year with Pioneer Consulting as a contractor, I have led regulatory and proprietary permitting for surveys and installation of the CrossChannel Fibre project. I’ve really enjoyed working with a great team of colleagues, contractors, and survey professionals,” said Gray.
“I look forward to continuing to support the Pioneer Consulting team, who are a real asset to the company, with delivery of the highest quality solutions and expert services to enable the growth of this exciting market in the trans-Atlantic and European sectors.”
In addition, Gray recently worked as cable specialist for the Scottish Government, where she reviewed marine licensing applications, including providing advice and issuing licenses for surveying and installation.
Prior to joining Pioneer Consulting, she served as an environmental impact assessment practitioner for the renewables and oil and gas industries, focusing on impacts to fishing and noise disturbance to marine mammals.
She is widely regarded as a geographical information systems expert, and has used this skill to teaching post-graduates, oil spill contingency mapping, zoning renewables and aquaculture for Scottish and English governments, and written guidance on zoning for the European Commission.
