Bristol Energy Co-operative

Bola is an ACCA Qualified Chartered Accountant (FCCA), MIT Certified Artificial Intelligence Strategy Professional with an ongoing Doctorate Degree in Data Science.

An IT Consultant with over 20 years’ Transformation / Process re-engineering, Mergers & Acquisition, Divestment & Project Management experience, partnering with business executives to shape enterprise-wide strategies and aligning Business & IT roadmaps to achieve corporate goals.

She has work experience spanning across 46 countries in Europe, Africa, Asia; LATAM, North America, ANZ and Middle East. As a working mother, she is passionate about family & society values, green energy and environmentalism.

A passion for renewable energy and its social as well as environmental benefits led to Kat completing an MSc in Sustainability at Leeds University, focusing on the community benefits of two wind power projects.

Kat has spent over 5 years working in research roles within energy and environmental consultancy, and also has a passion for waste prevention, volunteering with food-waste prevention charities and writing about the benefits of reusable menstrual products.

Kat joined Bristol Energy Cooperative following a career break spent travelling in Asia, which included completing yoga teacher training in India.

As an architectural technician, Andrew brings his experience of construction, including knowledge of building regulations, to the BEC board. Andrew works on both domestic and commercial schemes, developing the designs from initial concept design right up to final completion.

Degree educated, Andrew is also a qualified computer programmer. When the Feed-In-Tariff was introduced, Andrew was keen to get involved with installing solar panels and joined the BEC board.

Andrew is also the Treasurer (and a Trustee) of Portishead Town Band, and previously the Chairman of the Bristol East & Kingswood Band.

Andy is a founder director of Bristol Energy Cooperative. He has 15 years’ experience in IT and project management, including work for Triodos Bank and Bristol City Council.

For the past 10 years, in addition to being a BEC Board member, Andy has been the Coop lead for project development. During this time he has amassed considerable experience in the financial, regulatory and legal aspects of the renewable and community energy sectors, as well as the management of a successful community energy business. He is PRINCE2 trained, has a Post Graduate Certificate in Education, and a degree in modern languages. He previously taught for 10 years in the secondary and FE sectors, and overseas. He also founded Sustainable Westbury-on-Trym.

Simon runs a consultancy advising organisations on how to decarbonise, which to-date has helped clients identify and implement more than 1000 tonnes of annual of emissions supported by £4m of grant funding, and helped 10 young people get experience in low-carbon careers.

At home, he practises what he preaches and acts as an ambassador for Bristol Green Doors, promoting low carbon homes. Simon also holds a degree in Environmental Science.

Daniella is an environmental campaigner and politician. From 2013 to 2016 she was a Green Councillor for Bishopston Ward on Bristol City Council. She was also cabinet member with responsibilities for Neighbourhoods.

Daniella has worked as an environmental advisor in both the waste and rail industries, more recently she has project managed the growth of the national street play movement and worked in the environment consultancy sector. She currently works as a political advisor for the Green Party.

Peter brings a wealth of experience from senior appointments in the technology sector to the role of chair of Bristol Energy Cooperative in order to ensure good governance and set its strategic direction. He is currently a consultant in the telecommunications sector.

With an academic background in Mathematics and Physics, including a first from University of Warwick and a Certificate of Advanced Study in Mathematics from University of Cambridge, Peter also successfully completed a qualification in sustainability from the Schumacher Centre.

His interest in renewables carries over to his personal life, and he has heavily insulated his loft and installed solar PV on his roof. But he sees community energy as bringing the significant change the environment needs.