New Chairs to steer the Interspill Conference Committee for its 2025 edition

Posted 4th April 2024

New Chairs to steer the Interspill Conference Committee for its 2025 edition

At a time when vessels are increasing in size and becoming more automated in operation; the oceans are increasingly busy, but their health is declining and pollutants including debris and plastic threaten the diversity within and on which we rely. Oil production is increasingly focused on mature basins, often with ageing infrastructure which poses an oil spill risk. Climate change has brought unstable weather extremes that are often extreme and damaging. To help address that by reducing emissions emerging fuels pose different issues in use that need to be explored.

Interspill 2025 (8-10 April 2025, ExCeL London) will showcase research and innovative solutions that can improve global readiness and demonstrate why spill preparedness remains highly relevant and adds true value to all who invest in it and use the oceans for commerce.

The Interspill Conference is recognised for its excellence, focus on emerging research and depth of scientific content. It is organised by the Conference Committee, which has announced new Co-Chairs in Dr Rob Holland and Richard Johnson.

Dr Rob Holland is the Science, Technology and Stakeholder Engagement Manager at Oil Spill Response Ltd.

Rob is a Marine Biologist by training with a PhD in Marine Ecotoxicology from the University of Exeter. Rob has worked for OSRL for over 20 years in multiple capacities as a Consultant, Technical Lead and he developed OSRL’s academic engagement programme.

Richard Johnson is the Technical Director of ITOPF.

Richard is a Marine Biologist with a higher degree in Radiation and Environmental Protection. He joined ITOPF in 1994. His ITOPF career has seen him progress through all technical positions, becoming Technical Director in 2009.

Interspill is the European leg of a triennial series of events focussed on excellence in oil spill and incident response. It follows IOSC 24 in the USA and precedes SpillCon 26 in Australia.

The Conference will deliver over 70 sessions, spread over 3 full and interesting days (8-10 April 2025, ExCeL London).

Dr Rob Holland