Plymouth Energy Community

Ian Hutchcroft

Ian was elected to the PEC Board in 2016 and has over 25 years’ experience of working to deliver low carbon energy systems. He was Energy Saving Trust’s Head of Delivery (England) and Devon County Council’s Sustainable Prosperity Manager and now works independently to develop new ways of delivering low carbon buildings. All together he has brought over £20m of innovation funding into the local energy sector.

Amongst other work Ian has led the ‘Ready for Retrofit’ initiative, which supported 400 SW businesses, created 274 jobs and installed 1,300 energy measures. He also led the Zero Energy Building Catalyst, to demonstrate the possibility to achieve net zero energy retrofit without subsidy.

He worked as head consultant for North Devon Council’s Health, Housing and Energy Strategy and as south of England contract manager for the Government’s Energy Saving Advice Service. Ian has joined the Board to support PEC in the delivery of a low carbon future and in sustaining financial security.

Jess Holliland

Jess has worked in Plymouth's country-leading, vibrant social enterprise sector for many years. She is the heart of Plymouth Social Enterprise Network, providing communications and member co-ordination for the rapidly growing network of socially conscious organisations.

Jess brings with her a sound knowledge about of communicating a more person-centred way of doing business, making social purpose the mainstream way of working for a fairer economy and has well-established networks throughout the south west. She is passionate about creating a sustainable and fair society by addressing the way we produce, use and share resources. She also works part-time for the School for Social Entrepreneurs helping people to develop the skills, strengths and networks they need to tackle society’s biggest problems.

Jess was elected to the PEC Trust Board in 2019 and also represents PEC Trust on the PEC Homes Board.

Paul Hardman

Paul is currently the Manager of the Sustainable Earth Institute (SEI) and Deputy Director of the Sustainability Hub: Low Carbon Devon project at the University of Plymouth. Paul is passionate about developing a sustainable future for our world and bringing researchers together with businesses, community groups and individuals to develop cutting-edge research and innovative approaches that build resilience to global challenges.

Paul has over twenty years’ experience in Higher Education and both the Private and Public Sectors, including over 7 years in renewable energy and environmental technologies at the South West Regional Development Agency.

'With climate emergency declared at Plymouth City Council and the University, I am certain that PEC's role in supporting our transition to a zero-carbon city, fit for future generations, will be ever more vital and I welcome the opportunity to contribute.'

Paul was elected to the PEC Trust Board at the 2019 AGM.

Zoe Sydenham

Zoe is Plymouth City Council's Natural Infrastructure Projects and Partnerships Manager and leads work to drive innovation in the management of natural spaces, and in how it engages citizens and social enterprises within them.

Her previous roles included managing the Community Team at Groundwork East London and running the Youth European Volunteer Programme for the United Nations Association Exchange in Wales.

Zoe has a strong interest in the interface of personal well-being and the environment, and am currently studying for a Master’s degree in Public Health. She is passionate about engaging communities about their local environments and supports the board of Plymouth Energy Community in its new business planning work.

Zoe was elected to the PEC Board at the 2019 AGM and co-opted to the PEC Trust Board in 2022.

Kieran van Bussel

Kieran is a motivated and passionate participant in the energy sector, in his professional role as a solicitor advising a wide range of clients in the energy sector (from institutional investors to community groups) and in also in his capacity as a director of Tamar Energy Community. He has experience working with charities and other non-for-profit organisations, having served as chair of the Devon and Somerset Junior Lawyers Division of the Law Society and as company secretary on the board of a charitable company.

Kieran has experience dealing with project development and financing of a wide range of energy projects across most current technologies, from a legal perspective.

The pressures of climate change are increasing, and Kieran joined the PEC Trust Board to utilise his skills and experience to assist with green and low carbon initiatives and help to deliver change in his home city.

Kieran was elected to the PEC Trust Board at the 2019 AGM.

Mohammed Chaanda

Mohammed Chaanda is the founder and the Chief Executive of Famas Integrated Geoservices Limited. As the Chief Executive officer of FAMAS, he is responsible for the day administration of the consultancy firm which has a focus on Environmental remediation due to mining, plastic waste, environmental auditing, renewable energy (from both Wind and Solar).

Mohammed obtained a PhD in Geological Sciences from the University of Plymouth and has over fifteen years’ experience in higher Education and three years in renewable energy.

Mohammed is passionate about sustainability and renewable energy, as it relates to reducing carbon footprint in Plymouth and globally.

Mohammed was co-opted as a non-executive director to the PEC Trust Board in 2022.

Owen Ryles

As a chief executive of a local charitable organisation, the Plymouth Athenaeum, Owen contributes knowledge, skills and experience relating to the operations and management of charitable organisations. The Plymouth Athenaeum is a charitable society promoting learning in science, technology, literature and art and has many crossovers with PEC’s aims and objectives.

Owen is also a fellow of The RSA (The Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce) and the Linnean Society, and is engaged in discussions and projects related to energy sustainability, climate change, the environment and natural sciences.

Owen started his journey with PEC as a PEC Pal and the Plymouth Athenaeum is a regular venue for PEC's events. He was elected to the PEC Trust Board at the 2019 AGM and also represents PEC Trust on the PEC Homes Board.

Tracy Ebbrell

Tracy has always appreciated the natural world and the incredible environment in which we live. After starting her career in the corporate sector working in banking and then in aviation, Tracy struggled with her conscience and the huge air miles being travelled, so in 1999 she decided to 'give back' and do her bit.

Tracy entered the world of conservation and the charitable sector, the best decision she ever made, and spent 13 incredibly happy years working for the Wildlife Trusts movement. Tracy has been involved with extensive grant funding bids, conservation, ecology, education, and project management. When Tracy left the Wildlife Trusts she set up her own business development consultancy and then spent 4 years working in the adoption sector.

Last year she felt it was time to diversify back into the environmental sector and wanted to support the emerging Climate Change emergency. Tracy's ideal role came along in 2020, Consultant Operations Manager role for Yealm Community Energy in the South Hams. Tracy has a truly relevant and broad spectrum of experience and knowledge that she brings to PEC helping us tackle the climate crisis and fuel poverty issue across the city.

Jake Burnyeat

Jake is a renewable energy professional with 17 years’ experience. In 2012, he founded Communities for Renewables CIC (CfR), a social enterprise which helps communities to set up local energy enterprises and develop, finance and manage their own renewable energy generation for the benefit of the local community. CfR has managed the development and financing of community-owned solar projects with a capital value of £56million. These projects are projected to generate around £17million of surplus income over their lifetimes to support community initiatives in their localities, including supporting the net zero transition and tackling fuel poverty.

Jake is a volunteer director of a number of the local energy enterprises CfR has helped to set up. He was awarded the ‘Community Energy Champion’ award by Community Energy England in 2018. He has an MSc in Environmental Technology and Energy Policy from Imperial College and a 1st Class MA in Social Anthropology from the University of St Andrews.