Advisory Board

Durham Energy Institute works closely with members of the Advisory Board to ensure that we continue to understand and lead thinking within the UK and Global Energy Industry. Members of the Advisory Board have been chosen from across the technology spectrum and societal spectrum and can offer industry links, advice, language skills and support into new markets, collaborations and countries. Members are also able to provide advice and feedback on project feasibility and project funding mechanisms. They are all happy to provide guest lectures to any department within the University, as well as Student internships.

Please contact lynn.gibson@durham.ac.uk if you would like to learn more about how the Advisory Board could support the development of your own ideas.

Advisory Board External Members

Dr Charlotte Adams, Commercial Manager - Mine Energy, The Coal Authority
Charlotte is the Principle Manager for Mine Water Heat at The Coal Authority facilitating geothermal energy development from disused mines and other mining-related innovation projects. Charlotte has worked on disused mines for the past 20 years originally training as a hydrogeologist. She was Assistant Professor at Durham University before being appointed to her current role. She has also previously worked in the renewable energy consultancy sector.

Dr Chris Beck, Group Director Net Zero and Inward Investment, Tees Valley Combined Authority
Chris is the Group Director leading on inward investment, net zero and digital innovation projects within Tees Valley Combined Authority, he previously was the Business and Skills director. Prior to joining TVCA he led the TWI research and training centre in Middlesbrough with a focus on, government engagement and funding. He was previously a technical specialist for UKTI, working on advanced technology and research focused inward investment. He has a degree and Ph.D. in Materials Engineering from Leeds University. 

Emeritus Professor Sandra Bell, Department of Anthropology, Durham University
Sandra is an Emeritus Professor environmental anthropologist who worked on energy-related issues and biodiversity conservation. Sandra is interested in interdisciplinary research and with Prof Veronica Strang has devised a workshop and associated publication to facilitate research across disciplines (The Institute of Advanced Study).

Dr Maggie Bosanquet, Sustainability, Carbon and Climate Change Team Leader at Durham County Council
Maggie is the Low Carbon Economic Development Manager for Durham County Council, responsible for renewable energy and energy efficiency across the Council’s land and buildings and for the County-wide Climate Emergency Response. She has led the Council’s Sustainability Team since 1995, supporting local, national and international partnership initiatives.

Laurence Carpanini, Director of Smarter Energy Solutions, Europe, IBM UK Limited
Laurence is an Independent Consultant with over 30 years’ experience in the energy and utilities industry. He has a reputation as an innovative and strategic ‘critical friend’ and NED, with an expert knowledge of policy and technology transformation and an extensive network at board level across the UK and Europe. Working at the interface between strategy, organisation change and technology enablement he mentors early stage technology start ups and advises companies developing innovative smart local energy solutions.  As well as sitting on the DU Energy Institute Advisory Board, Laurence is a Lay Member of Council of Swansea University; a Chartered Engineer and Member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers; and a Fellow of the Energy Institute.

Andrew Clark, Business Leader, Energy Systems Catapult

Andrew is Business Leader for Place at Energy Systems Catapult. He leads the Place team, working to understand how the Catapult can help to solve the whole energy system challenges facing places such as regions and cities, creating propositions, partnerships and delivering projects which accelerate innovation, the transition to net zero and open new markets. Andrew has worked in energy and sustainability internationally, and in various sectors, he is a chartered environmentalist and a published journal author.

Prof Helen Goodman, Independent Energy Advisor & Parliamentary Liaison
Helen was MP for Bishop Auckland 2005-2014. Prior to that, she was on the Treasury Select Committee 2015-17; Public Accounts Committee 2005-07 and on the Committee for the groundbreaking Climate Change Act of 2008. She initiated Parliamentary debates to mandate ministers prior to the Paris summit and on Geothermal Energy. Helen is also a Professor in Practice in the School of Government and International Affairs at Durham.

Professor Simon Hogg, Head of Engineering Department, Durham University
Simon holds the Ørsted Chair in Renewable Energy at Durham University. He has been Head of the Engineering Department since 2017 and was DEI’s Executive Director 2014-2017. Simon’s career includes extended periods in industry and academia. He is a Chartered Engineer and Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.

Professor Alan Lowdon OBE, Director of Strategic Development, National Offshore Wind Institute, Massachusetts & Durham University Professor in Practice
Alan has over 30 years' experience of the international energy and utility sectors- corporates, start-ups and RTOs. He currently advises the National Offshore Wind Institute in Massachusetts, the UK Government’s innovation agency and the US Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Lab. Alan was recently appointed Professor in Practice at Durham University.

Brian Matthews, Independent Energy Consultant, TerraUrsa
Brian has worked in the energy sector since 1997 and specialises in nuclear and renewable energy, operational leadership, energy policy and strategy, and engaging people through education in STEM. He has worked internationally with the world association of nuclear operators (WANO) and worked with Durham University since 2017 developing new courses and creating beneficial relationships with industry.

Paul McKeever, Head of Strategic Research, ORE Catapult
Paul joined ORE Catapult (formerly Narec) in August 2006 and holds the post of Head of Strategic Research. Paul is the Project Coordinator for the OPTIMUS FP7 project (prognostic condition monitoring). He is currently a Board member of the European Association of Renewable Energy Research Centres (EUREC) and represents ORE Catapult on the SuperGen Wind Industrial Advisory Board.

Roger Murray
Awaiting bio.

Melchior Raywood, Student Energy Society (Ex Oficio Member)
Melchior is an ex officio member of the advisory board as president of the Durham Student Energy society. In leading its executive team, the society organises colloquia and debates at the University regarding the energy sector both domestically and abroad. It is a major chapter of the non-profit organisation that organises the International Student Energy Summit. He is a student at the University, reading Mathematics and Philosophy

Helen Stockton, Research Manager, National Energy Action
Helen is Research Manager at national fuel poverty charity NEA with over 15 years of applied social research experience spanning the quantitative and qualitative paradigms. Research interests include social policy, energy and social justice. She is enthusiastic about exploring the ways knowledge can be brokered between academia, policy and practice.

Professor Hongjian Sun, Professor (Chair), Department of Engineering & DEI Fellows Representative to Advisory Board
Hong is a Chair in Smart Grid at Durham University, is an Editor-in-Chief for IET Smart Grid journal, and an Editor/Guest Editor for several journals. He has authored over 140 papers in refereed journals and conferences, and secured grants from various funding bodies (including H2020, EPSRC, Innovate UK, BEIS etc).

Dr Benj Sykes, Vice President in Ørsted's UK offshore wind business
Benj is UK Head of Market Development, Consenting and External Affairs at Ørsted, the world leader in offshore wind. He is former co-Chair of the Offshore Wind Industry Council, setting the UK’s offshore wind strategy. Benj has worked in the Energy sector for over 30 years, across the renewable energy and upstream oil and gas sectors. He is a Fellow of the Geological Society, an Honorary Fellow of the Energy Institute and Chair of the Durham Energy Institute Advisory Board.

Rob Williams, Procurement Director - AstraZeneca
Rob is Director of Sustainability in AstraZeneca’s Global Procurement team, working with their global supply chain to remove Scope 3 emissions and deliver Net Zero goals.  Rob has worked across the energy sector for over 20 years, from electricity generation to procurement for large energy consumers. Rob also lectures in energy procurement for the Energy Institute and is a member of the Advisory Committee for RE100.