Investment, Finance, Funding and Business - Biographies

Andrew Docherty, Partner, Marks & Clerk LLP

Andrew advises clients in patent and other IP matters in the field of mechanical engineering, and has particular experience in technologies relating to renewable energy resources, the oil and gas exploration and production industry, gas turbine systems, the aerospace industry and medical devices. He also has experience in IP due diligence matters, including patent validity and freedom to operate investigations.

Andrew was born and educated in Scotland and obtained a masters degree in mechanical engineering with aeronautics from the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow. He entered the patent profession with Marks & Clerk and is now a Chartered UK and European Patent Attorney, as well as a qualified European Design and Trade Mark Attorney.

Ian Fisher, Sustainable Energy Manager, Northumberland College

Started management career in the construction Industry on several large construction Projects in the South East of England, returning to the North East of England in mid 1983 where I moved to the Department of Environment as a Sector Works officer working on several MOD sites in and around Northumberland.

After two years I moved into education working for Northumberland College teaching junior technicians general construction subjects and mature students who were following the Clerk of Works programme developing new programmes relevant to the industry. In 2003 I worked closely with Northumbria University developing a new Foundation Degree in Construction, this was a new initiative and system of education for both the college and University. It was at this time that I became interested in Sustainable issues and Renewable Energies, in 2005 I had the opportunity to assist in the development of two pilot programmes in Wind and Biomass. This initial programme continued to grow over the coming years and in 2008 the college took the bold step and has developed a new curriculum area in Renewable Energies, where I now work with a small team of likeminded people developing a range of programmes ranging from specialist diplomas to BSC honours programmes for both the Wind and Biomass Sectors.

Nial McCollam, Managing Director, Senergy Alternative Energy

Formerly with Exxon Mobil and more recently the CEO of ITI Energy, Nial McCollam now leads Senergy Alternative Energy, the fast-growing alternative energies business which is part of diversified energy group, Senergy.

Set up to capitalise on the group’s existing technical expertise and expand these capabilities globally through acquisition, Senergy Alternative Energy supports the development of commercially competitive sources of alternative energy.

The rapid evolution of this business in the last 12 months has already increased its ability to expand its development services into alternative and renewable energy sectors with a focus on wind power (on and offshore), carbon capture and storage, coal bed methane and geothermal.

Nial has a First Class BSc (Hons) in Chemical Engineering from Heriot-Watt University (1986) and an MBA from Edinburgh University (1998).

Adrian Scholtz, Director of KPMG Corporate Finance and Head of Renewables, UK and Germany

Adrian Scholtz is a Director of KPMG Corporate Finance and Head of Renewables, UK and Germany. Adrian is a chartered accountant and is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.

Adrian has focussed on the Renewable Energy sector over the past 7 years. He is an experienced transaction advisor, having been involved in renewables transactions with a market value of more than €1bn. Examples include:

• The merger of NEG Micon with Vestas
• 8 offshore wind projects across the UK, Ireland and Germany
• The largest renewable energy project transactions in the UK and Belgium
• Structuring and negotiating non-recourse debt facilities
• Raising development equity and disposing of projects for renewable energy project developers
• Adrian has provided extensive strategic and commercial advise to organisations interested in renewables. Examples include:
• Major energy companies: RWE, Statkraft and BG Group
• Public sector clients. London Energy Partnership, DEFRA, (formerly) DTI, South West Regional Development Agency, Cornwall NHS Trust
• Business case reports for new entrants to the sector: Goldman Sachs, Vodafone, DHL, Unilever, ProLogis, Toyota, Kingfisher
• Prior to joining KPMG Corporate Finance, Adrian was CEO of a renewables advisory company that developed wind projects for large corporation. Activities included:
• Identifying new sites internationally for wind projects
• Securing permits and consents
• Construction management services were provided for 4 new wind projects

Adrian has been extensively quoted and authored articles in the renewable energy trade press; and spoken at international renewable energy conferences.

Dane Wilkins, Account Director, Ernst & Young

Dane is a Director in Ernst & Young’s Renewable Energy Group where he specialises in the raising of equity and debt for renewable energy projects and advising investors in the sector.

Dane joined Ernst & Young in 2003 after working with Deloitte & Touche corporate finance, prior to that he trained with KPMG. He is a Chartered Accountant (ACA) and has a first Class BSc in Business Management from Imperial College.

Dane has acted as lead financial advisor on various renewable projects throughout the UK including: providing commercial and structuring advice to Gillespie Investments on the development of an EfW plant in Scotland, and financial support on the development of project model to facilitate EPC and other contract price negotiations pending award of planning consent. He also acted as financial advisor to Peel holdings on the structuring, fund raising and power offtake arrangement for 65MW Scoutmoor onshore windfarm, largest UK project to close in 2006 and 12MW Port of Liverpool windfarm to close in 2008.

William Young, Senior Wind Analyst, New Energy Finance

William Young joined New Energy Finance shortly after the firm was founded in 2004. He has led the company’s research into the wind industry since 2006 and now advises major power companies, turbine manufacturers, investment banks and private equity funds on developments and growth prospects of the market, industry pricing, valuations and their strategic choices. William leads a dedicated team of 6 analysts based around the world in London, Beijing, New York, Cape Town and New Delhi.

Prior to New Energy Finance William was awarded his BA Honours in Modern History from Oxford University.