Not content with our expansion into England and Wales, Blackhall and Powis is growing its operations internationally too.
It’s an exciting time with the business developing in a number of areas, but the appointment of a Director of International Development and a Director of Research, along with the establishment of our new office in the UAE, marks a big step in our strategic mission to support the energy and infrastructure both at home and abroad.
Coming on board to head up our international operations is the highly experienced and well-connected Pete Gettinby, formerly of RSK.
Pete’s extensive experience in the green energy and infrastructure sector, combined with his detailed knowledge of the overseas market, will be a huge asset to our business and our clients.
Having worked for the last few years in Africa, Asia and the Middle East, Pete brings with him a wealth of established contracts and potential projects. Already based in Dubai, over the last 12 months he’s helped identify over £350million of potential projects in the region.
Pete is joined by David Cooper as Director of Research. David has an extensive geospatial and interdisciplinary background, having completed his PhD in geosciences from the University of Edinburgh and teaching on their master’s programme in Geographical Information Science. David has published research utilising environmental modelling across Africa, Asia and the Middle East, drone surveying within Eurasia, and zoological analysis within the UK.
David has worked with Blackhall & Powis for a number of years, implementing bespoke GIS models for the renewable energy sector and leading international interdisciplinary research projects for our clients.
Cementing our overseas presence is a progressive step from the international projects we already completed or have underway in Iraq, the USA, Africa and Malaysia.
We’ll be offering all of our core services to international clients and projects with a particular focus on geospatial services and marine and offshore infrastructure support. We have identified a need for the creation of spatial data in difficult to access, hazardous, and data-deficient environments, and are therefore offering satellite remote sensing integration into our geospatial workflows.
In addition to growing our own operations overseas, we’ll be offering external consultancy services to support international development for other businesses in the energy and infrastructure sectors.
This will make use of the excellent network Pete has already established. In particular, strong links to the Energy Industries Council and Scottish Development International, both of which provide great support to our industry.
Pete said: “This is the right progressive step to take the offering and experience of B&P further afield and to use our expertise and contacts to help other companies who are looking for these services in this booming region. I’m excited to grow B&P internationally and to help other businesses in our sector grow.”
As the UK accelerates its shift toward renewable energy, the role of land referencing has never been more critical. From wind farms and solar arrays to grid infrastructure and battery storage, every energy project begins with one foundational question: who owns the land?
Land referencing provides the answer – with precision, transparency, and legal certainty. It’s the quiet force behind Development Consent Orders (DCOs), Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPOs), and infrastructure planning. And in the energy sector, where timelines are tight and stakeholder engagement is essential, it’s the difference between momentum and delay.
How Far We’ve Come
Land referencing has evolved dramatically in recent years. What was once a paper-heavy, manually intensive process is now a sophisticated blend of legal insight, stakeholder engagement, and digital mapping. Today’s referencing teams operate at the intersection of GIS, planning law, and data management—delivering real-time insights that shape infrastructure strategy from day one.
Modern referencing doesn’t just identify landowners—it enables early access for surveys, supports risk mitigation, and ensures that stakeholders are consulted with clarity and care. It’s become a strategic function, not just a technical one.
At Blackhall & Powis, we’ve embraced this evolution. Our team has supported over 150 renewable energy projects across the UK, working with leading developers including Ørsted, Vattenfall, Statkraft, SSE, and Scottish Power. From land assembly and stakeholder engagement to mapping and planning support, we offer a one-stop-shop for infrastructure delivery—tailored to the unique demands of the energy transition.
Looking Ahead: SoLR Land With Certainty Conference
We’re proud to sponsor the upcoming SoLR Land With Certainty Conference, taking place on 18th September 2025 in London. Hosted by the Society of Land Referencers (SoLR), this event brings together professionals from across the UK to explore best practices, emerging technologies, and the evolving role of land referencing in national infrastructure.
The programme promises updates on ethical standards and GIS innovation to the future of referencing in energy and transport. We are looking forward to meeting peers, sharing insights, and shape the future of our industry.
Our team is looking forward to attending, learning, and contributing to the conversation. As the energy transition gathers pace, we believe land referencing must be recognised not just as a technical function—but as a strategic enabler of change.
See you in London.