Industry 'heavyweights' take R-UK into net zero era

Industry group RenewableUK has rejigged its board, following a poll of members in April and May.

New members elected to the board include MHI Vestas UK country manager Julian Brown (pictured), GE Renewables Wind Northern Europe sales director David Matthews, Fred Olsen Renewables commercial director Gareth Swales and Orsted UK country manager for offshore Benj Sykes.

Brown has already served two terms on the board, including the position of chair until last year.

He will also be representing Vestas Wind Systems and as a non-executive director of Tekmar.

Matthews has been re-elected to the board, while Swales has been elected for the first time.

Sykes joined the R-UK board in 2015 and currently chairs its finance and risk committee.

Co-opted to the R-UK board are law firm Shepherd and Wedderburn head of clean energy and banking partner Clare Foster, James Fisher and Sons group business development director Martin Dronfield and Royal Bank of Scotland sustainable finance lead Rishi Madlani.

Re-co-opted to the board are Global Marine Group managing director of group business operations Ian Bryan and National Grid Electricity System Operator head of national control Roisin Quinn.

R-UK said the board has changed to reflect the elections, and co-options agreed by board members to “ensure that it continues to represent the range of technologies covered by the association”.

R-UK chair and Equinor senior vice president, wind and carbon capture and storage Stephen Bull said: “It’s great to have these industry heavyweights offering their wealth of experience to RenewableUK.

“They will help to set the agenda at a crucial time, as the Government has committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2050, and Ministers are due to publish an Energy White Paper which is expected to set out a new strategy for the power sector.

“The industry is implementing the landmark Offshore Wind Sector Deal, and we’re continuing to make a strong case for supporting onshore wind and marine energy.

“On a wider level, we’re re-thinking the way our entire energy system works as we incorporate more renewable power onto the grid. Our board plays the central role in ensuring we achieve our objectives.”

Source: renews.biz