RWE senior stakeholder and supply chain manager for offshore wind, Helen Thomas, has been appointed to the shadow board of RenewableUK.
Thomas has helped establish a new supply chain cluster for the North Wales/north-west region, called the Offshore Energy Alliance, and is also involved in the Offshore Wind Industry Council (OWIC).
RenewableUK set up its shadow board to enable future industry leaders to gain experience and participate in strategic level activities.
The shadow board assists the organisation’s board with a range of views, insights and fresh perspectives on key issues.
The shadow board members consist of senior company representatives with expertise across areas including: electrical engineering, project and stakeholder management, marketing, law, consenting, asset management, business development and public affairs.
Thomas said: “There is so much to gain from this exciting opportunity.
“I’m looking forward to working with current and future leaders, bringing a fresh perspective and challenging the R-UK Board, helping to shape our industry for the better.
“I like to think I can bring a mix of knowledge, experience and skills combined with fresh ideas, determination and fun! I plan to use both whole system knowledge and more focused renewable industry experience to progress aspects of importance, including supply chain and skills development, helping our industry to thrive.”
Thomas’ route into renewables was an unconventional one.
Leaving school at 16 she took various roles in childcare and administration, however always had a keen interest in environmental issues and a love for geography.
Going back into education as a mature student she studied for a BSc in Environmental Management and then an MSc in Renewable Energy Technology, while holding down full-time roles.
For RWE Thomas has delivered a range of roles including consenting, stakeholder management and public affairs.
More recently her focus has been on supply chain development, helping to shape the company’s strategy and approach.