As RWE’s UK Country Chair, and Chair of the RWE UK Renewables Boards, Tom is the most
senior representative of RWE in the UK responsible for representing the company at the
national level (UK, Wales and Scotland) and managing senior stakeholder engagement.
Tom’s earlier roles as Executive Board member in each of RWE’s main operating companies
provides him with the ability and insight to ensure that the company has a co-ordinated
strategy and that RWE’s UK portfolio is well-positioned for net zero.
Tom has worked at RWE since 2003 and held a variety of senior commercial, trading and
business development positions including Chief Commercial Officer of RWE Renewables,
RWE Generation and RWE Supply & Trading. In his most recent role, Tom had responsibility
for the commercial management and optimisation of RWE’s 10GW global renewable
portfolio together with having responsibility for all power purchase agreements, M&A
transactions, partnerships and the development of new markets. Prior to that, Tom was
commercially responsible for RWE’s European conventional generation fleet, a 40GW
portfolio of coal, biomass, gas, hydro, nuclear and other conventional power stations which
produced around 200TWh per annum.
Prior to RWE, Tom worked at Barclays Capital, Enron and PricewaterhouseCoopers.
ESG professional focused on driving the waste sector towards net zero through a systemic culture change and targeted alignment between policy, investment and infrastructure.
Hannah Bronwin is Director of Business Development for SSE Thermal, responsible for new business including Power with Carbon Capture and Hydrogen production, storage and power. Hannah has expertise in energy innovation, energy policy and structuring and executing complex energy infrastructure transactions. Before joining SSE, Hannah worked as Commercial Director at the Energy Systems Catapult, Deputy Director for new nuclear financing at BEIS, and spent ten years as a project finance lawyer at a top-tier global law firm.
Graeme Davies is the Project Director of Harbour Energy’s V Net Zero CO2 Transport and Storage project. Graeme is a Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, and has previously held leadership roles in Operations, Asset Management and Development delivery in the Upstream Oil and Gas industry. Graeme holds a Master of Science degree from NTNU, Trondheim, Norway, and an Honours degree in Mechanical and Offshore Engineering from Heriot Watt University.
Pierre Girard has extensive experience in CCS, with first-hand experience of developing CCS opportunities in the UK, Norway and the Netherlands. This portfolio was on track to allow Neptune Energy to meet its ambitious target to store more carbon than is emitted from its operations and the use of its sold products by 2030.
Under his leadership, the organisation has built an enviable portfolio of storage opportunities and of prospective customers. Pierre is keen to explore opportunities to develop storage sites on a merchant basis across the North Sea to enable cost competitive and resilient options to emitters.
Prior to his current role, he has held a number of positions with Neptune, including Director of Commercial & Joint Ventures for Neptune’s UK business and GM Technical in Egypt. Pierre also held senior roles in Commercial and Development with Chevron and worked with TotalEnergies in economic and technical capacities in Europe and Africa.
Gaël Le Parc is the UK CCS Director for TotalEnergies. He recently held positions of Deputy VP Strategy for Upstream Business, Head of Subsurface for New Business in Middle East and North Africa, earlier in his career at TotalEnergies, held various overseas positions in upstream subsurface, engineering and project development.
Gaël received a Meng. in Energy from French engineering School of Mines in Nancy and subsequently obtained a Reservoir Engineering Certification from the French Petroleum Institute (IFP Training).
Amy is VP EMEA at Carbon Engineering (CE), a Direct Air Capture (DAC) company founded in 2009 and currently engaged in the construction phase of a 500kT p.a. DAC plant in Texas in addition to other commercial projects. Prior to joining CE, Amy was VP Corporate Development and Sustainability at Virgin Atlantic where she was accountable for setting and delivering carbon strategy, corporate Strategy, the Heathrow expansion programme and government affairs. Amy previously spent 10 years at BCG in the Consumer Practice, focused on aviation, leading projects on topics ranging from strategy to transformation; operations to commercial. Amy has a PhD in soild state electrochemistry from the University of Cambridge.
Steve is Head of Climate & Carbon Policy & Advocacy, part of Shell’s Corporate Relations team. He leads Shell’s engagement on international climate discussions and in developing positions on key climate policy issues. He joined Shell in 2011 prior to which he worked for the UK Ministry of Foreign Affairs (FCDO), as well as for a renewable energy NGO (Regen), on climate change impact studies (University of Plymouth) and as a geophysicist (PGS). Steve has masters’ degrees in International Relations, and in Climate Change and a degree in Geology & Geography. He lives in London with his family and when he has time enjoys running up hills and trying to play the guitar.
George Whittaker is the General Manager of Energy Transition business line within the Energy GBU. George is responsible for delivering Bechtel’s growing portfolio of front-end work in this new sector, developing relationships with new customers who are active in the Energy Transition space, and staying abreast of governmental policy and regulatory frameworks in our target markets to position Bechtel for future EPC opportunities in this new market.
George previously led the business development team for Energy Transition where he was responsible for developing Bechtel’s strategy for the new business line. Prior to this role in Energy Transition, George was posted to Kazakhstan where he expanded Bechtel’s market position by developing opportunities with new customers, formed strategic partnerships, and stood up a business development team and operations in Atyrau.
George is a chartered engineer with 20 years of experience within the oil and gas industry. George joined Bechtel in 2004 as a process engineer and has subsequently held positions in engineering, commissioning, project management, and business development, including previous postings in London, Italy, Thailand, UAE, and Kazakhstan.
George earned a master of engineering degree from Imperial College London and an MBA degree from the University of Oxford.
Peter is Chairman of Progressive Energy and was CEO from its formation in 1998 until recently. Progressive is a low carbon project development company originating and developing clean energy projects which can make a material contribution to achieving net zero emissions. Progressive has a particular focus on CCUS and hydrogen, and conceived and has led the development of, HyNet, one of the CCUS Clusters selected by Government for support in the CCUS Sequencing Programme.
In the early 2000s Peter chaired ACCAT, the Advisory Committee for Low Carbon Technologies, which recommended to Government that CCS should be part of the UK emissions reduction programme. In 2005 Progressive Energy was one of the 11 founding members of the CCSA and Peter was Vice Chairman of the founding Board. He has played an active part in the Association since then, included chairing numerous working committees and as Chairman of the Board.
Ralph is the Group Head of Business Development at Associated British Ports. He joined ABP in 2006 as a graduate management trainee and has held a range of commercial and operational roles within the business, most recently Port Manager for the ports of Newport, Port Talbot and Swansea. In his current role he is responsible for driving strategic business development activities, including a specific focus on “Alternative Energy” opportunities including CCUS, CO2 shipping as well as the production and distribution of hydrogen.
Ruth joined the CCSA in October 2021, following a public sector career spanning almost two decades. In her previous role as Director of Strategy & Development at the Low Carbon Contracts Company, Ruth oversaw implementation of two key features of today’s electricity market – the CfD and Capacity Market – and the company’s development into a trusted advisor to government on decarbonisation. At the Department of Energy and Climate Change, Ruth headed the Electricity Market Reform Programme Office, overseeing delivery of the White Paper and Energy Act 2013. In 2008-9, following her negotiation of the EU Directive on CO2 storage, Ruth led on international CCS policy and the London Ministerial Carbon Sequestration Leadership Forum. She was a Financial Services Strategy adviser at HM Treasury and an economic adviser for the City of London Corporation.
Olivia Powis is UK Director at the Carbon Capture and Storage Association (CCSA), where she works in partnership with the Chief Executive and CCSA Board on developing the UK strategy and work programme of the association.
Before joining the CCSA, Olivia was a Senior Policy Manager at the National Infrastructure Commission where she led on a number of projects including; a review of UK economic regulation, the role of infrastructure in housing and developing the NIC’s first Diversity and Inclusion strategy. Her background is in energy regulation, having spent seven years previously working at Ofgem on price controls and developing policy, as well as a year in strategic communications.
Abby Wright-Parkes is Head of Membership at the CCSA leading on membership engagement working to ensure our members are benefiting from their membership. She is also responsible for membership recruitment, working closely with Stefano Miriello in our Brussels office to grow our membership in the UK and across Europe. She also oversees the Membership and Events team.
Prior to joining the CCSA Abby has worked for a variety of membership organisations over the past two decades, as both an employee and when she ran her own consultancy.
Rebecca Bell joined the CCSA in May 2023 as Research and Projects Manager, harnessing research information to inform policy development and provide thought leadership to drive forward the acceleration of commercial deployment of CCUS.
Prior to joining the CCSA, Rebecca was the Policy and Research Officer for the Scottish Carbon Capture and Storage research partnership, working with academics, government, industry and civil society to progress CCS in Scotland. She has a background in climate change and sustainability policy, having previously worked in the NGO and public sectors.
Georgina Katzaros is a Policy Manager at the Carbon Capture and Storage Association, where she will be focusing on the developing CCUS policy space, as well as coordinating the CCSA’s Regulation & Policy Working Group. Georgina is a Geoscientist with over five years of experience working in technical and commercial roles for the oil and gas industry.
She holds a First-Class MSci Geology degree from the University of Birmingham and an MSc in Petroleum Geoscience from Imperial College London.
Beth Hebditch joined the CCSA as a Policy Manager in September 2023. She is focusing on the development of CCUS policy and is responsible for the co-ordination of the CCSA’s Technical Working Group.
Beth has 4 years of experience in the energy industry where she worked as a consultant covering UK and European power, gas, LNG, carbon and oil markets. She holds a First-Class MSci Geology degree from the Royal School of Mines, Imperial College London.
Judith Shapiro is the Member Communications and Events Manager at the Carbon Capture and Storage Association, where she covers a wide range of topics; in particular ensuring that the varying views of the Association are appropriately represented in the political environment, the media, social media and the wider stakeholder community.
Prior to joining CCSA, Judith worked for both the UK Business Council for Sustainable Energy and the Combined Heat and Power Association as a Researcher.
Joe is the CCSA’s Senior Public Affairs and Communications Officer, leading the CCSA’s UK media relations, external affairs and parliamentary engagement.
Prior to joining the CCSA, Joe worked in various strategic campaigning and communication roles for the Labour Party, a Member of Parliament, Labour for a Public Vote and Keir Starmer’s leadership campaign. He holds a BA (Hons) degree in Public Relations & Brand Communication from Leeds Beckett University.
Maximilian Musing joined the Carbon Capture and Storage Association in March 2023 as a Policy Officer where he will be focusing on developing the CCUS policy spaces, as well as coordinating the CCSA’s Supply Chain Working Group. Prior to joining the CCSA, Maximilian worked in the wellness sector and accrued over three years’ experience working on international supply chain dynamics and logistics.
He holds a First-Class MSc degree in Climate Change Studies, from the University of East Anglia, and specialised in energy transitions, offshore wind, and carbon capture technologies.
Despoina Tsimprikidou joined the CCSA in October 2023 as a Policy Officer, where she will be focusing on the development of CCUS policy, assisting with the coordination of the Technical Working Group. Prior to joining the CCSA, Despoina worked in the academic sector, coordinating the UNESCO BRIDGES Hub for Sustainability Science at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David. She also has experience on both UK and EU climate and environmental policy.
She holds an MSc degree in Environmental Policy and Regulation from the London School of Economics and Political Science where she focused on climate target ambition in relation with EU growth and decarbonisation policies.
Olivia Trimborn is the Public Affairs and Communications Officer at the Carbon Capture and Storage Association, assisting primarily with political engagement and monitoring activities, as well as supporting administration of the CCUS APPG and the organisation’s social media and website.
Olivia holds a First-Class Bsc Liberal Arts and Politics degree from the University of Nottingham. In her post-graduate work, she was an intern for environmental website ChangeMaker Media, researching and contributing stories on developments in global climate change politics.
Kristina Antoniou is the Membership Communications and Events Officer at the Carbon Capture and Storage Association, assisting with communications, the planning of events, and membership organisation across the CCSA team.
She graduated from the University of Warwick with a First-Class BASc degree in Politics, International Studies and Global Sustainable Development. She has previously worked on a sustainability data scoring project, and volunteered with food and farming charity Sustain, supporting their social media, communications and events.
Joop Hazenberg (1978) has been working and living in Brussels since 2013, specialising in Europe’s energy and climate policies. Amongst others, he was EU correspondent for a range of international media, campaign manager for European NGOs on the phase-out of coal power plants, and Director External Affairs at the GSMA, representing the mobile telecommunications industry in Europe. He also worked for the European Heat Pump Association and represented SolarPower Europe and WindEurope on the topic of corporate renewable energy sourcing.
Before moving to Brussels, Joop worked in political circles in his home country The Netherlands. He held several functions in the Dutch Parliament, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and a national newspaper. He also founded a think-tank for young professionals, wrote six books and many op-eds and essays. His latest book deals with climate action (including a chapter on CCS and DAC0).
Stefano is Head of EU External Affairs for the CCSA in Brussels. He has several previous experiences in EU climate and energy policies, having worked for companies and trade associations such as FederlegnoArredo, GSE (Gestore Servizi Energetici), and the European Heat Pump Association. In his previous role, Stefano was the Policy and Business Development Advisor for the RE-Source Platform, working with SolarPower Europe and WindEurope.
Charles-Albert Bareth is the EU Regulatory Affairs Manager at CCSA in Brussels, supporting activities of the Zero Emissions Platform and the CCUS SET-Plan. Prior to joining the CCSA, Charles-Albert worked for a European public affairs agency in Brussels, supporting the policy activities of a large trade association. Charles-Albert holds a Master’s Degree in Economics from the Free University of Brussels and a Master’s Degree in Journalism from Sciences Po Paris.
William Druet is an EU Policy Officer at CCSA in Brussels. Before joining the CCSA, William worked in the forest sector, having gained experience working with environmental agencies, wood-biomass industries and researchers. He holds a master’s degree in Public and International Law from the Free University of Brussels (ULB), as well as a master’s degree in Environmental Policy from the University of Sussex.
Sophie is the CCSA’s EU Policy and Public Affairs Officer, focusing on the development of CCUS policy and advocacy with an emphasis on low-carbon products, e-fuels and hydrogen, NECPs, and national CCUS strategies. She holds a BA in Journalism from London Metropolitan University as well as a pre-MA in European Studies and a MSc in Sustainability Science, Policy, and Society from Maastricht University. Before making the switch to climate policy she worked in the food and beverage industry for six years across the UK, New Zealand, and Australia and spent two years in programme management in the Netherlands.
Denis Janampa Ramos is the EU Membership Officer at CCSA in Brussels. Before joining the CCSA, Denis worked for an international association for public transport in Brussels, supporting the membership team. Denis holds a Master’s degree in Environmental Economics, specialised in Marine Conservation, from the University of York in the UK.