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Onshore wind - Biographies
Stefan Bill - Managing Director - Rewitec GmbH
1985–1988 Studies of Electronics, University Giessen/Friedberg (Germany), Graduate Engineer- 1988-2002 Sales Manager LTI Drives GmbH, Lahnau, Germany
- 1999 Studies of Economics, St. Gallener Business School, Switzerland
- 2002-2004 Business Unit Manager Motors&Drives ABB Automation Products, Mannheim, Germany
- Since 2004 Executive Partner Rewitec GmbH, Lahnau. Responsible for Sales, Marketing and Finance. Rewitec was Finalist of the 28th Innovations Award of the German Economy 2007 and the 1st HUSUM WindEnergy Award 2009.
Gordon Buchan - Regional Development Director – Transport Planning
Gordon Buchan leads Halcrow’s private sector transport planning team in Scotland and has an excellent track record for delivering a wide range of projects across the length and breadth of Scotland. Gordon has developed a particular specialism in the transport issues associated with the renewables and power sectors, having worked on over 50 wind farm sites in the UK and Ireland, including Griffin, Arecleoch, Glenkerrie, Kelburn, Waterhead Moor, Harrows Law, Fullabrook, Goonhilly, Grouse Lodge, Knockacummer (A&B), Dunneil, Neilston, Crockagarran, Esk, Keelderry, Pentre Tump, Lindhurst, Tullo, Long Mountain, Beechtree, Earlshaugh and Newfield wind farms. He has also experience of working on the Blackhillock – Shateland HVDC link.
He has worked extensively with Vestas, the leading wind turbine manufacturing firm, as well as working beside some of the specialist firms involved with transporting turbine components such as Give Svaergods. He is currently commissioned to examine the transport infrastructure requirements for transporting new 45m long x 6.5m wide turbine tower sections from Welcon’s plant at Machrihanish to the quayside at Campbeltown.
Since joining Halcrow, Gordon has established the company as a leader in the field, having won commissions for abnormal load assessments and transport assessments for a variety of clients including developers and utility providers.
Simon Coote - Head of Energy Consents and Deployment Team - Scottish Government
Simon Coote was appointed Head of Energy Consents and Deployment team at the Scottish Government in January 2010. This team processes energy applications falling under Section 36 and 37 of the Electricity Act 1989 through to determination by Ministers. Simon’s remit includes working with stakeholders to improve the quality of energy applications and the process by which Scottish Ministers assess them. He works strategically with key stakeholder groups to identify solutions and remove barriers to deployment, and he chairs the South West Scotland Regional Aviation Solution Group. Simon joined the SG from the private sector in 2002, and his previous roles included the development of high-profile Sea Fisheries Policy and a role supporting the SG’s Manufacturing and Economic Response unit.
Philip Graves - David Livingstone Centre for Sustainability, Department of Civil Engineering - University of Strathclyde
Philip Graves has re-branded himself an environmental consultant after 20 or more years within the financial sector working as a fund manager in Glasgow, specialising in small UK companies and the environmental sector. Originally trained as an Economist at Oxford, he has had previous experience as a consultant when he briefly ran a marketing consultancy focused on Japan, following on from a research project on the full-time MBA programme at Strathclyde Graduate Business School. Two years ago he left the finance sector and completed more formal training in the environmental field through an MSc at Strathclyde University, where he gained “top student” prize. His dissertation centred on the wind farm sector and the issue of carbon footprinting within Environmental Statements. This led to his appointment to assist Aberdeen University and the Scottish Government in the latest revision to the Scottish Government’s Carbon Calculator.
Gemma Grimes - Head of Onshore Renewables - Renewable UK
As Renewable UK's Planning Advisor 2007-2010, Gemma led on the industry's response to the Planning White Paper 2007 and the industry's input to the Planning Bill 2008, before co-coordinating the association's response to public consultation on National Policy Statements for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects.
Scott Harper joined WEICan in the summer of 2007 and has overseen the development of the organization since that time. In his role as CEO Scott works closely with the Board of Directors to develop the strategic direction for the organization which guides the development of the technical program at WEICan.
Prior to working with WEICan Scott had spent most of his career working for the Government of Canada with the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). As an Economic Development Officer, Scott worked in the renewable energy sector and was instrumental in the planning and establishment of WEICan. While employed by the Federal Government, Scott gained a great deal of experience in intergovernmental affairs and sector development planning.
Scott also held a position with the Federal Government, as manager of a not for profit economic development corporation which was involved in tourism, Information Technology, business incubation and other initiatives. Scott holds a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree from the University of Prince Edward Island and he lives in Kildare Capes, PEI with his wife Sally, daughters Allison & Jill and son Ted.
John MacAskill - GL Garrad Hassan
GL Garrad Hassan is the world's largest renewable energy consultancy. It offers independent technical and engineering services, products, and training courses to the onshore and offshore wind, wave, tidal and solar sectors. GL Garrad Hassan is a consulting company; it has no equity stake in any device or project. This rule of operation is central to its philosophy, something which sets it apart from many other players and underlines its independence.
With a network of local experts around the world, GL Garrad Hassan's global perspective is informed by local understanding and local resource. The company is uniquely placed to understand the interplay between the technology, geography and environmental conditions, which determine the engineering solutions, and also the policy, economics and regulation, which determine the markets.
John is currently responsible for GL Garrad Hassan’s new WindHelm Portfolio Manager business recently launched at EWEA in Brussels. John originally joined GL as the UK Renewables Business Manager and was responsible for the development of the Renewables practice in the UK.
John is an engineer who has worked in the maritime, construction services and engineering sectors. His last role out with GL was as Sales Director with a privately owned Scottish engineering company. Over the last 11 years he has worked in various client facing roles in the engineering and consultancy sectors.
Gordon McCreath - Partner - Pinsent Masons LLP
Gordon advises energy generators, water companies, waste operators, manufacturers and developers as well as central government, local authorities and regulators on environmental and climate change matters. He has a particular insight into the workings of environmental regulators and government, having previously worked at SEPA and on secondment to the Scottish Government. Gordon is recognised as a "Leading Individual" in Environment by Chambers Guide to the Legal Profession which commends him for his "commitment to provide excellent, open and responsive service“.
Sunil Shah - Partner, Head of Sustainability - DPP LLP
As Head of DPP Sustainability, Sunil Shah’s extensive consultancy experience within the built environment means he can advise on developments throughout their lifecycle. His experience is across the private sector as well as working for local and national governments. He advises on sustainable design, low carbon technologies, corporate responsibility and climate change matters at both a project and corporate level.
Sunil is a government advisor on the Sustainable Construction Task Force and a panel member of the Sustainable Development Commission. He is also an author of a number of books and technical articles on the subject.
Rosie Vetter - Policy Manager – Onshore Wind and Planning, Scottish Renewables
Rosie is Policy Manager for Onshore Wind and Planning at the member organisation Scottish Renewables. Rosie’s main focus is to help influence the current legislation and regulatory framework allowing the best possible conditions for the growth of Onshore Wind and its smooth progression through the planning system. Recent work has focused on addressing the barriers to deployment of onshore wind generation including facilitating the development of good practice during wind farm construction.
Rosie has worked in the renewable energy industry since 2008. She graduated with a BSc (Honours) in Biology from the University of Birmingham in 2007 and then moved to Glasgow University where she was awarded distinction in an MSc in Ecology and Environmental management in 2008. Her working career began in consultancy later that year where she spanned a number of different teams producing environmental statements for wind farm developments.
Rosie joined Scottish Renewables at the start of 2010 as Policy Manager for Onshore Wind and Planning. She represents the industry on a number of Scottish Government groups including the Good Practice Wind Project, Carbon Landscapes and Drainage framework, South West Scotland Regional Aviation Solution Group the Scottish Wind Farm Bird Monitoring group as well as managing the Scottish Renewables Onshore Wind and Planning Work Groups.
