Dr Nina Skorupska CBE is stepping down after 10 years as chief executive of the Association of Renewable Energy & Clean Technology (REA). From 1 July her successor will be Trevor Hutchings, pictured.
The REA represents around 500 UK companies & organisations working in renewables and clean tech.
Hutchings’ career includes working at Gemserv, the energy services provider, within Whitehall departments, and with the European Commission, leading climate and environment programmes, including policies to support Britain’s renewables market. At WWF, the conservation NGO, he was director of advocacy, focusing on improving public policy and environmental governance.
Hutchings also chairs the Green Purposes Company, set up by the government to safeguard the green mission of the Green Investment Bank, following its 2017 sale to Macquarie, the global infrastructure investor.
His immediate priority will be to press the incoming Government to put the energy transition and net zero front and centre of its legislative programme.
In its Manifesto for Government, the REA has urged all UK political parties to promote and commit to policies that support sustainable energy growth, low carbon innovation, and the country’s legally binding net zero carbon emissions targets (see the REA’s Manifesto for Government.
Prior to taking over the chief executive role at the REA, Trevor Hutchings was Partner for Sustainability at international consultants BIP. His career has been shaped across the public, private and NGO sectors in multiple roles supporting clean energy development, net zero, the environment and climate action.
Trevor Hutchings said: “I take up my role at the REA as the country goes to the polls, and we reach an inflexion point in the journey to a sustainable, low carbon future.
“Net zero is within our grasp and the actions taken by the next administration will determine whether we get the job done. The businesses that make up the UK clean energy and technology industries – many of whom are our members – have the innovation, skills and expertise to cement the UK’s position as climate leader.”
“But the next Government must take vital steps in providing the policy and fiscal regimes that encourage, rather than deter, investment. This is crucial in not only addressing the pernicious effects of carbon emissions but also reducing energy bills and providing domestic energy security.”
“While there is a moral imperative to emissions reduction, it is also an enormous opportunity for economic growth and international competitiveness.
“By 2035, jobs in British renewable energy could reach 210,000, while its contribution to the UK economy could double to £46bn. But there’s still much to be done to ensure that clean & green is at the heart of the country’s industrial growth strategy. We must make sure that UK businesses are not shut out of the low carbon race by policies that fail to compete with the significant investment in clean technology from the US, Europe and China.”
REA chair Martin Wright said: “Trevor’s deep-rooted commitment to the environment and sustainability, combined with his career experience, will be invaluable to the REA. The UK’s pathway towards net zero has reached yet another critical moment with a new Government soon to be elected. The REA, under Trevor’s leadership, will do everything to ensure that Government, across every department, delivers on its net zero commitments and that it fosters a business environment that can accelerate the growth of the UK renewable and clean tech sectors.”
Martin Wright added: “We are hugely grateful for Nina’s leadership over the past decade. She strengthened the REA’s voice and influence in government, fostered greater collaboration within the energy industry and during her time as Chief Executive widened the breadth of REA’s membership to more than 500 companies. We wish her well in the next stage of her career.”
Dr Nina Skorupska said: “I am thrilled that Trevor is succeeding me. We have achieved so much in the past decade and under his stewardship, the REA will continue to have a major influence within government and an effective voice for its members. I wish Trevor the very best in the future and thank the REA team, past and present, the REA Board and all of the REA’s members for their friendship and the support given to me over the past decade.”
Dr Skorupska is joining the Electricity System Operator and National Grid Distribution as an advisor. She will retain her non-executive directorship at Royal BAM Group, the construction and energy services company, and her place on the board of Transport for London.
In 2016, she received a CBE for her services to the UK renewable energy sector and for promoting diversity in the energy industry.
