Aviation and Wind - Biographies

Julian Chafer FRICS - Principal Safeguarding Officer - Defence Estates

After spending four highly educational years at the University College of Wales in Aberystwyth and two even more enlightening years at the Royal Agricultural College Julian joined the MOD in 1990 and in 1992 became a qualified rural practice chartered surveyor. Soon afterwards he abandoned the Hunter-wellies-and-chocolate-labrador lifestyle and looked for other opportunities in the MOD.

In the years which followed, Julian was involved in a wide range of MOD estate work including being property manager of former RAF Greenham Common; selling the old Admiralty Compass Observatory at Ditton Park near Slough; and negotiating leases in overseas locations including Naples, Nairobi, Kathmandu, Washington DC, and Moscow (it was a tough job but someone had to do it!).

As Defence Estates’ Principal Safeguarding Officer Julian has overall responsibility for protecting MOD establishments across the UK and offshore areas used for training, exercises etc. This includes statutory safeguarding around certain specified sites as well as wind energy safeguarding across the whole country.

Simon Heyes – Onshore GB Regional General Manager, Airtricity

Simon joined Scottish Hydro-Electric in 1997 working on CHP projects. The merger with Southern Electric in 1998 to form Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) widened the range of potential projects, from embedded generation facilities to large CCGT power stations. From 2002, Simon worked on the development of new onshore wind turbine sites in the north of Scotland, achieving consent for a 40 MW site at Fairburn, Dingwall and a 38 MW site at Achany, Lairg following a public inquiry.

In 2008 SSE acquired Airtricity, and Simon was appointed their Regional General Manager for onshore development and construction of wind and hydro in Great Britain. Simon leads a team of over 60 staff, and his responsibilities include delivering to SSE Operations the recently consented 152 turbine Clyde wind farm.

David Jones, Senior Safeguarding Officer, Secretariat & Special Projects, Ministry of Defence, Defence Estates

David Jones is the Ministry of Defence's Senior Safeguarding Officer for litigation, legal engagements, parliamentary and ministerial business. Based in Sutton Coldfield near Birmingham. David is part of the Defence Estates Safeguarding Team who monitor developments outside the Defence Estate that could have an impact on Defence interests throughout the United Kingdom.

David represents the Ministry of Defence on the South of Scotland Aviation Solution Group and will provide a short presentation outlining the purpose and aims of the group as well as an update on progress.

Rune Rønvik, Project Director, StatoilHydro

Rune Rønvik is Project Director in StatoilHydro for the Sheringham Shoal Offshore Wind Farm, a 315MW Round 2 project in the Greater Wash, that is currently under construction. He has held this position since February 2008.

Prior to this he worked in oil and gas related activities, primarily on the Norwegian continental shelf but also in international business development. He was Project Manager for the Troll Future Development, Offshore Installation Manager at the Troll C oil production platform, and Asset Manager for the Tune Gas and Gas-condensate Field during the development and construction.

He is General Manager of Scira Offshore Energy Ltd, the company that holds the Agreement for Lease and all consents and licenses related to the Sheringham Shoal Offshore Wind Farm.

Nicola Vaughan, Head of Aviation, BWEA

Nicola Vaughan joined BWEA in April 2008 to take the position of Head of Aviation, responsible for representing BWEA members’ interests relating to the aviation issues facing wind energy development. The British Wind Energy Association is the trade and professional body for the UK wind and marine renewables industries. Formed in 1978, and with 468 corporate members, BWEA is the leading renewable energy trade association in the UK.

Prior to BWEA, Nicola worked in the Aerospace and Defence industry and has a Masters in Physics from Manchester University. Previous employment includes wind farm consultant at BAE Systems Insyte; business development on military support campaigns; and mathematical modelling at the BAE Systems Advanced Technology Centre.

Nicola understands the aviation barriers facing wind farm developments and the need for near-term results as well as a long-term strategy for resolving the issue.