UK trade body RenewableUK is setting up what it calls a ‘shadow board’ made up of rising stars in the clean energy sector in order to provide a greater range of views on key issues to the organisation’s main board.
The shadow board consists of 11 people from a wide range of companies across the sector, offering expertise in electrical engineering, project management, law, marketing, asset management, business development, environmental management and public affairs.
All of them are in senior positions but none has previous board-level experience, R-UK said.
They are Equinor principle electrical engineer Ajai Ahluwalia, SSE head of product services Barrie Andrew, Burges Salmon senior associate Emma Andrews, Taylor Hopkinson marketing manager Vicki Buchan, Global Marine Group marketing director Gail Clark, EDPR asset manager Suzanne Clifton, Siemens Energy sales and business development manager for offshore renewables grid access Rassim Hariz, EEEGR skills for energy programme manager Gemma Head, ScottishPower Renewables (SPR) offshore business performance analysis manager Virginia Ruiz Albacete, Natural Power principal advisor Europe Hannah Staab and Orsted policy advisor Emily Woolfenden.
R-UK chair and Equinor senior vice president for wind and low carbon development Stephen Bull, together with board member and SPR chief executive Lindsay McQuade will also sit on the Shadow Board to provide a link to the main board.
The Shadow Board will meet at least four times a year. Members will sit for 18 months, and the chair for two years.
The chair will be elected at the Shadow Board’s first meeting early next year.
Bull said: “We want to hear fresh ideas from the most talented up and coming women and men from diverse backgrounds in this innovative sector.
“The Shadow Board can provide insight and analysis from a different perspective, and in return they’ll get valuable Board-level experience.
“RenewableUK is keen to play a pro-active role in developing the careers of our members, so they can step up to the top table. The Shadow Board gives them a pathway to do this.”
McQuade said: “The sheer volume of high-calibre applicants from all parts of our sector demonstrates just how many women and men deserve to be fast-tracked.
“This industry is attracting the brightest and the best because many people are passionately committed to making a difference by taking practical action against climate change.
“This industry has become a career choice for the most dynamic Chief Executives of the future.”