Skills and Training - Biographies

Kate Dunk, Professional Development Manager, Energy Institute

Kate has worked in professional development for six years and joined the Energy Institute in 2007 overseeing the institute’s education and careers work. During her time at the Energy Institute she has helped to launch Energyzone, the EI’s education website providing information about careers in the energy sector. Kate has organised a UK wide programme of workshops for teachers to improve their knowledge of energy and engineering and follow-up careers materials. She has also led the EI’s part of the pilot online professional development system with several other engineering organisations. She is currently working on improving the guidance the EI provides on professional development.

Nick Fedorkiw, Offshore Developer, Mainstream Renewable Power

Nick is a developer working in Mainstream’s Offshore Centre of Excellence in London. Nick is involved with Mainstream’s projects in the UK and Germany as well as Mainstream’s training and skills initiative. Prior to joining Mainstream Renewable Power, Nick worked as an economist for the Department of Finance in Canada. He holds a BA and MA in economics.

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.

Jonathan Leucci, Project Manager, ABB

Jonathan Leucci graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering form the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow in the spring of 2006. After winning a scholarship through a university-based scheme with a mobile power generator manufacturer, Aggreko, he spent much of each summer throughout his time at university working at their Dumbarton-based facility in a variety of departments. Prior to his final year, he was awarded a second scholarship through the IET Power Academy scheme and, in favour of new opportunities and challenges, left Aggreko to join ABB.

Focusing predominantly on information transmission and security during his final year at university, Jonathan developed a keen interest in the sector and considered further study. By the time of graduation, he had already begun his first placement through the Power Academy with ABB and subsequently turned down an offer to study for a PhD in favour of continuing his work at the company.

Soon after, he was appointed Project Manager for Aura-NMS (Autonomous Regional Active Network Management System); a large-scale, pioneering, R&D collaboration backed by EPSRC and OFGEM between 8 leading UK Universities and 3 industrial sponsors. As Project Manager, Jonathan is responsible for the day-to-day management of the project and in ensuring its timely success.

Celia Mackie, Director, Skills for Energy (East of England)

Celia Mackie is the Director of Skills For Energy, a partnership between the private, public and academic sectors to ensure that the energy industry in the East of England has the appropriately skilled people to deal with the challenges of today and to make the most of the exciting opportunities ahead of it. Prior to this role she performed a vital role of liaison between the oil and gas industry and national government on skills issues. Celia is seconded from the Department of Energy and Climate Change having started her career with the industry in DTI before its transition from the Department of Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform. Prior to that, she worked in a number of areas in government including undertaking some of the earliest feasibility studies into onshore wind farms, as well as environmental protection and management and personal development training. Celia recently graduated from the Open University with an MBA.

Henning von Barsewisch, Managing Director (Commercial) REpower UK

Born in Hamburg, Germany in May 1969, Henning graduated from the Technical University of Berlin with a Masters in Industrial Engineering and holds a Masters in Management from the Toulouse Business School (Ecole Superieure de Commerce), France.

After graduating, he worked as a Management Consultant with Bain & Company in Munich, Germany developing and implementing corporate strategy.

In 2001, he joined Helm Tool Inc. in Chicago, USA, as Vice President Business Development.

Henning has been Managing Director with REpower UK from its inception in 2003 when he moved to Edinburgh, Scotland. He has led the company’s development to its position as the 3rd largest supplier of wind turbines in the UK with an installed base of 300MW and approx. 60 staff.

In 2007, Henning was elected as a director to the board of the British Wind Energy Association (BWEA).