RenewableUK is delighted to announce that Laura Fleming, Country Managing Director for Hitachi Energy UK and Ireland, has been elected as the new Chair of its Board of Directors, and that Tristan Zipfel, Director of Strategy, Markets and Investments at EDF power solutions UK and Ireland, has been elected Vice Chair.

Both have been members of the Board for several years, and officially assumed their new roles following their election at a Board meeting on Tuesday 2nd September. Their support and guidance will be essential as the association develops a new strategy and recruits a new Chief Executive. 

The Board supports RenewableUK’s work on behalf of the sector, engaging with our 500 members to deliver ambitious targets across a range of renewable technologies and ensuring that economic activity across the sector creates tangible benefits for the whole of the UK.

Laura Fleming, Country Managing Director for Hitachi Energy UK and Ireland, said:
"I'm delighted to take up the position as Chair of RenewableUK. Bringing over 25 years of industry knowledge, strategic planning and commercial delivery, I am committed to accelerating the shift towards smarter, more resilient power systems.

“I'm grateful for the work that Paul and Una have led already in this period of great change in positioning renewables now as the dominant source of electricity. This is a pivotal time for our sector – RenewableUK has made a significant contribution to getting the industry where it is. I'm excited to contribute to RenewableUK’s mission and to help shape the future of renewable generation which will be critical to delivering the next stage of the plan to deliver CP2030. Let’s build a greener, more resilient world together."

Tristan Zipfel, Director of Strategy, Markets and Investments at EDF power solutions UK and Ireland, said:
“I’m honoured to step into the role of Vice-Chair at RenewableUK at such a crucial time for our industry. I look forward to working with Laura, Jane and the wider membership, fostering the collaboration and strategic mindset that will keep driving our sector forward.”

The outgoing Chair Paul Cooley, who this week moved from SSE Renewables to become SSEN Transmission's Director of Onshore Capital Delivery, said:
“It’s been a massive honour for me to be Chair of RenewableUK for the past two years and to help steer the organisation and the industry through what has been such an important time for our sector. 

“While we’re facing immense challenges and headwinds at this time, I know we can look forward with hope and optimism. We’ve seen unprecedented policy progress recently with the Clean Power Action Plan, the removal of the de facto ban on onshore wind, and consenting secured for key projects across technologies - and all of this ahead of what we expect will be a really impactful AR7 auction round.

“I’ve been so proud to working closely with the dedicated, innovative and talented team at RenewableUK. The contribution of the association to the policy milestones we’ve recently achieved has been immense. And with the appointment of Laura as RenewableUK’s new Chair and of Tristan as its new Vice Chair, I know the organisation is in very good hands”.

The outgoing Vice Chair Una Brosnan, Founder and Director of Innovative Climate Solutions, said:
“It's been an honour to serve as Vice Chair of RenewableUK at such a pivotal time for UK renewables. I am so proud of the progress that we have made and wish all the best to the new Chair Laura and Vice Chair Tristan in driving forward the organisation on our next phase of the journey“.

RenewableUK’s Deputy Chief Executive Jane Cooper said:
“I’d like to add my heartfelt thanks to Paul and Una for their brilliant leadership over the past two years, as they’ve helped to steer us to new heights as the leading trade association for the renewable energy industry.  During that time, we’ve seen the onshore wind ban in England lifted and a Government elected which is determined to maximise the amount of new clean energy capacity we can build as fast as possible. Our membership has expanded significantly and our world-class events get bigger and better every year.

“I’m sure that Laura and Tristan will build on their excellent work at a crucial time when the sector is set to secure significant volumes of new capacity in the next two auctions for contracts to generate clean power, and grow our industrial capabilities which could create 10,000 extra supply chain jobs and boost the UK’s economy by a further £25 billion. They bring a wealth of professional experience which will strengthen and enhance the way we work, at a time of challenging economic conditions worldwide for our sector”.

KeyFacts Energy Industry Directory: RenewableUK