Public Sector - Biographies

Stephen Ainger, CEO, Partnerships for Renewables (PfR)

Stephen has extensive experience of the energy sector and not for profit financial services. After graduating in Physics from Bath University with a First Class Honours degree Stephen joined BP where he worked in the UK and overseas for 24 years in a variety of commercial and operational roles. These included Business Unit leader in the Middle East and leading BP Exploration and Production Strategy and Planning in 1993/4.

He joined the BG Group in 1999 where he was a main Board Director of Transco and latterly Group Director of Strategy and Business Development for the Lattice Group Plc after the company was de-merged from BG.

He left Lattice in 2002 to take up the position of CEO of the Charities Aid Foundation, one of the principal providers of financial services to UK charities and donors in the UK and overseas. He joined PfR in April 2007.

Richard Bellingham, Senior Research Fellow, Fraser of Allander Institute, University of Strathclyde

Richard Bellingham is a Senior Research Fellow at the Fraser of Allander Institute in the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow. He specialises in energy policy and sustainable energy issues, and is the Programme Director for the Sustainable Glasgow Initiative. This major feasibility study is assisting the development of low-carbon energy systems, homes, businesses and sustainable transport systems – helping Glasgow become a sustainable city. The study is being led by the University of Strathclyde – with partners including Glasgow City Council, as well as major energy companies, Veolia and Scottish and Southern Energy. The study is expected to be completed in early Summer 2009.

Richard is also leading one the first initiatives at the new Institute of Advanced Studies at Strathclyde. This research study is examining public attitudes to energy, and how these might be changed to support secure low carbon energy futures.

Richard is on secondment from the Scottish Government - where he was Head of Energy Policy. Working as a policy analyst and senior manager he has experience in policy areas across government. He also has several years experience in IT, digital inclusion and e-government - working as Head of Corporate IS Strategy, and Head of e-Government policy. He is a member of the advisory board for the UK Energy Research Council, and a former member of the UK coal forum.

Richard has a B.Sc. in Fuel and Energy Engineering, and an MBA from the University of Edinburgh.

Garry Dallas, Director of Development & Environmental Services, Clackmannanshire Council

Following graduation in 1983 Garry commenced employment with Clackmannan District Council as a Town Planner. By 1988 he had been promoted to Planning Manager and in 1990 became Planning and Property Manager. Following local government reorganisation in 1995/96 he became Director of Development Services, responsible for Planning, Property and Business Development Services for the new Unitary Authority.

In 2001 the Authority rationalised its Executive Team from 6 Chief Officers to 3 and he was appointed to his current post. Gary studied Geography at Strathclyde University (1977-81), Town and Country Planning at Heriot-Watt University (1981-83) and Property Asset Management, Heriot-Watt University (1993-95).

Richard Mercer, British Waterways

After a early career in the construction industry, both in the UK and Hong Kong, Richard joined British Waterways as its geotechnical engineer at a time of significant public investment in the canal network when several major canals (for example the Kennet & Avon Canal ) were reopened. After completing an MBA, Richard became an area manager for British Waterways with overall responsibility for the waterways in the East Midlands and South Yorkshire. In 1997 he moved to a newly created post to create closer workings with Utilities and to develop British Waterways’ income in the sector. At that time Utilities income was £2 million per annum. In 2008/9 Utilities income reached £21 million per annum (all of which was reinvested in the canal network) and is continuing to rise as British Waterways diversifies into renewable and sustainable industries. BW now has a target to develop (with Partners) ten times more energy from assets under its control than it consumes by 2015.