John Malone
John is a renewable energy engineer and project manager specializing in community-owned renewable energy.
He has been involved in the renewable energy sector for 30 years. Prior to joining Empowered, John was Development Director of Energy4All, supporting the development and operation of community renewable energy co-operatives across the UK. During more than 15 years with E4A, he worked on wind and ground-mount and roof-top solar projects. He was the E4A representative on the boards of 5 E4A co-operatives.
John now supports a wide range of Community groups across the UK on large scale projects.
Sally Merrett
Sally is part of BWCE’s Home Energy team helping to lower carbon emissions and increase comfort in homes across Bath and surrounding areas. Sally has a MSc in Renewable Energy and a BSc in Energy Studies and 30 years business experience. She has managed carbon reduction projects for the Welsh Assembly Government and Birmingham City Council’s building stock, as well as numerous large and small scale renewable energy projects.
Sally is currently undertaking a deep retrofit of her own Victorian house to improve energy efficiency and end its reliance on gas.
Isabella Oakley
Isabella is a dedicated Renewable Energy Project Developer at BWCE alongside her associate role as a Graduate Consultant at Empowered. Isabella developed a strong passion for sustainability and renewables during her Environmental Science degree with a Year in Industry. She aims to apply her array of experiences and love for the environment to community energy projects, particularly on rooftop solar and onshore wind. Isabella is motivated to contribute to a climate resilient future and help achieve net zero.
Julia O'Connor
Julia is responsible for overseeing the internal and external communications across the organisation. She brings over 20 years experience of working in Marketing Communications both in the private sector, but more predominantly within charity and not for profit organisations. She has worked for national charities such as RNIB, Penny Brohn Cancer Care and Hft, as well as Bath Centre for Psychotherapy and Counselling and Places for People Leisure.
Christina Owen
Christina supports the home energy element of the Community Energy Network, recruiting and supporting energy champions, and working with partners to deliver events.
Christina has worked in engagement and training roles in Higher Education and Housing Associations for seven years, where she championed sustainability and inclusion. She has a passion for spending time in and protecting nature, and volunteers with UK Youth for Nature where she focuses on creative campaigning and policy change.
John Rawlins
John is responsible for developing BWCE’s rooftop solar projects, in collaboration with Joe Hurley. He has worked for a variety of well known companies, completing training as a Chartered Management Accountant and then an Executive MBA at the University of Bath and was awarded 1st Prize in a cross-discipline renewable energy project by the Royal Academy of Engineering.. More recently he has spent 2 years as the Chief of Staff to the CEO of a FTSE 250 energy retailer. He is a partner with Alex Lockton in their zero carbon consultancy Empowered.
David Searby
David is a Chartered Engineer with 34 years experience in the utility sector, predominantly working on simulation models of gas and water systems. He recently designed an energy efficient timber framed extension for his home and is longstanding campaigner on climate issues.
David is currently working towards the heat geek "mastery for installers" qualification for heat pump assessors.
Kate Sweet
Kate is responsible for managing BWCE's work as part of BANES Community Energy Network, a joint project with Bath & North East Somerset Council, BANES Community Wellbeing Hub and the University of Bath. Kate previously managed BANES Green Open Homes.
Kate has over 20 years experience of marketing and communications, project management, events and brand work across the public sector and business. Kate worked as Brand Manager at Investors in People UK in London (a non-departmental government body) and more recently as Marketing and Events Manager at Oldfield School, in Bath, where she also undertook some mentoring work with GCSE students. Kate has volunteered with primary and secondary school PTAs, eco-groups and Forest School.
Benny Talbot
Benny is responsible for exploring and developing new areas of work for BWCE, and providing technical support to ongoing projects. Having recently returned to the area after 10 years working on community led energy innovation in Scotland, his previous experience includes work on flexibility services, local energy supply, low carbon transport, hydrogen electrolysis, and the education and capacity building required to enable communities to engage with these emerging technologies. He has worked for Community Energy Scotland, Skill Share Dundee, Demand Energy Equality, and SP Energy Networks.
Alison Turnbull
Alison manages BWCE’s innovation projects, with a current focus on Flex Community. She has worked in the renewable energy industry for 20 years at AEA Technology and at ESD as a renewable energy consultant. She has worked on the development of small-scale PV community schemes with BWCE, CoCoEnergy and Frome Renewable Energy Co, where she is on the Board and she managed BWCE’s first demand management programme, Empower.
