18 Dec 2019 .

Renewable energy’s rising stars win seats on RenewableUK’s new Shadow Board

Hannah Stabb Large

RenewableUK is setting up a Shadow Board, made up of rising stars in the clean energy sector, to provide a greater range of views on key issues to the organisation’s main Board.

The 11 successful applicants, including Natural Power’s Principal Advisor – Europe, Hannah Staab, represent a wide range of companies across the sector, offering high levels of expertise in electrical engineering, project management, law, marketing, asset management, business development, environmental management and public affairs. They are in senior positions but none has previous Board-level experience.

The composition of the Shadow Board in terms of ethnicity and gender underlines the association’s commitment to diversity. Three-quarters of the Shadow Board members are women.

RenewableUK’s Chair Stephen Bull (Senior Vice President for Wind and Low Carbon Development at Equinor) and Board Member Lindsay McQuade, (Chief Executive of ScottishPower Renewables) will sit on the Shadow Board to provide a link to the main Board.

Stephen 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.

Lindsay 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.”

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.