Sarah Moore
Industry leaders from North-east Scotland’s digital tech and energy sectors have joined the board of Opportunity North East (ONE) as the economic development catalyst continues to drive action and investment in entrepreneurship, innovation and the regional entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The ONE board provides private-sector leadership to challenge and inspire ambition, identify economic growth and diversification opportunities, shape delivery and involve industry leaders in diversifying the region’s economy and delivering high-skill jobs for the future.
Sarah Moore, chief executive of Peterson Energy Logistics, and Graeme Gordon, co-founder and CEO of IFB, have joined the board of the UK’s only private sector-led economic development body. Graeme is now chair of the ONE Digital Tech sector board, having served as its vice-chair since 2018. Sarah was previously a member of the ONE Digital Tech board.
Sarah is an innovative, driven leader focused on transformation, sustainability, and empowering the energy logistics sector to play a key role in the energy transition.
She became chief executive of Peterson Energy Logistics in 2022 and has been involved with the company for 15 years. It employs more than 850 people globally, providing trusted, innovative supply chain solutions and energy logistics services to clients across the energy spectrum.
Sarah previously founded a digital consultancy. She sits on the board of OEUK, is vice chair of its contractor council and member of the finance, renumeration, audit, and nomination committee, and is a Trustee at the University of Aberdeen Development Trust.
As co-founder and CEO at IFB Graeme is an active promoter of the digital technology sector, the people and companies in it and the difference they make to every business.
He is an experienced business leader with particular skills in discovering customer needs and translating these into actions that help make a difference.
Graeme Gordon
Key to this is supporting and developing the teams and individuals involved and helping them reach and sustain their best potential. Graeme is a former chair of ScotlandIS, the membership body for Scotland’s digital technologies industry, and recently joined the Board of Edinburgh Science Foundation, an educational charity founded in 1989 and best known for organising Edinburgh’s annual Science Festival – the world’s first public celebration of science and technology as a festival – and science education outreach programmes, including Generation Science and Careers Hive.
ONE Chair Sir Ian Wood KT GBE said: “We formed ONE to focus on action and delivery to make a difference to the region’s economic future. Senior businesspeople and partners who share that vision sit on the ONE board and are vital to challenging and shaping ambition and impact in the key sectors. Sarah and Graeme are passionate about the region, strongly advocate for digital tech and green energy, and ensure that our work benefits from new perspectives, experiences and insights.”
Sarah Moore said: “I was honoured to be asked to join the board of this unique organisation. What it has achieved to date is a testament to what is possible when proactive, positive people work together to create the conditions for entrepreneurial success. As the energy transition progresses, the economy of the north east of Scotland will continue to diversify, and I am pleased to play a small part in ONE’s ambitious vision.”
Graeme Gordon said: “I am delighted to join the board of ONE and continue my long-standing involvement in supporting its mission to drive innovation and economic diversification in the north east. Having worked closely with ONE for several years, I’ve seen first-hand the impact of collaboration between industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and the wider business community. Together, we can unlock new opportunities, foster growth, and strengthen the region’s position as a hub for digital and green innovation."
ONE is recognised nationally as a model for private sector engagement, partnership working and delivery. The £150million investment in growth sectors secured by ONE with partners since 2016 is making a significant impact. The region’s digital tech cluster has doubled in five years and boasts more than 300 companies.
The food and drink sector is the fastest growing in Scotland, and entrepreneurial life sciences businesses are transforming ground-breaking research into market-ready products. The visitor economy is worth more than £1billion a year, and adventure tourism in the north east has established an international reputation.