A dedicated central function, the Secretariat is the driving force of the programme and will be answerable to the Steering Group and ultimately to the Project Sponsors.

The Secretariat assists with identifying the projects to be undertaken by creating and maintaining the Forward Look and facilitates Network members to ensure that research projects are commissioned and progressed in accordance with the Forward Look.  

The Secretariat ensures that the Network is operating efficiently and that the wave and tidal sectors’ priorities are being addressed at the appropriate scale and within suitable timescales.

The Secretariat ensures effective and appropriate communication amongst and coordination of the relevant work of Network members.

The Secretariat maintains and, via input from the Network, updates the Forward Look. It seeks to stimulate the identification of Leader(s) and Funder(s) for projects on the Forward Look, and assists Network members with funding bids, dissemination of project outputs, etc.