RenewableUK has appointed RWE’s head of UK policy and public affairs Alice Barrs to its board of directors.
She will be joined by Vestas’ director of public affairs Mary Thorogood (pictured) who has also been appointed to the board.
Before joining RWE in 2015, she spent a decade working as an economist for the UK Government and the Climate Change Committee, specialising in energy and the power sector.
Barrs said: “I’m delighted to be joining the board of RenewableUK.
“The association has been crucial in putting renewables at the forefront of the UK’s journey to Net Zero.
“As a board member I will strive grow our industry to its full potential, via increased deployment, jobs and supply chain investment”.
Thorogood joined Vestas from Vattenfall, one of the world’s largest offshore wind developers, where she led UK Government and Stakeholder Relations.
She is also a member of the Offshore Wind Industry Council and co-workstream lead of its Supply Chain and Clusters Working Group, as well as a director of the Aldersgate Group.
Thorogood said: “It’s a real honour to be elected to the RenewableUK board, particularly in the context of such an esteemed and talented field of candidates – a great sign of how strong our industry is.
“I can’t wait to get started working with RenewableUK, the board and most importantly, our members, to ensure we are fit for the opportunities the journey to Net Zero will bring for our businesses and our people”.
Director of capital projects at SSE Renewables Paul Cooley has been re-elected to the board.
Prior to joining the energy industry, he held senior positions within the chemicals and manufacturing industry in the UK, Ireland and overseas, including roles at DuPont, Koch Industries and the Quinn Group.
Cooley said: “I’m really delighted to be re-elected on to the board of RenewableUK and I will continue to support the critical work that the organisation is doing in enabling policy which supports both near term decarbonisation targets and ultimately Net Zero.
“We have a great team and under Dan McGrail’s leadership, I’m sure they will go from strength to strength.
“In the run up to Global Offshore Wind and COP26, the UK will once again be centre stage and RenewableUK is well placed to be a key voice of the renewables industry in front of a world stage.”
RenewableUK chair Stephen Bull added: “Our board of directors plays a crucial role in setting the agenda for RenewableUK to ensure that we continue to grow from strength to strength.
The calibre of all those who took part in this election was exceptionally high and I’m delighted that the three successful candidates will bring a wealth of expertise to the next phase of our work.
“2021 is a crucial year for our sector with the UK hosting the biggest international climate change summit for years, and the Government determined to build back better after the pandemic with the renewable energy industry in the vanguard.
“Our member companies are creating tens of thousands of highly-skilled jobs and attracting billions in private investment to the UK, especially in parts of the country which need fresh economic opportunities.”
RenewableUK’s board of directors consists of 17 members. The newly-elected board members will begin their roles in September.