Meet the Team

Alistair Macpherson

Since 2013, Alistair has led PEC’s development from a council initiative, into a big-thinking multifaceted venture delivering targeted support to the fuel poor, and community-owned alternatives to fossil fuels. With a degree in Geography, Alistair has a background in biodiversity and sustainable development projects for local authorities and third sector organisations in the UK and overseas. He was named ‘Community Energy Champion’ at the 2016 Community Energy England Awards and ‘South West Sustainable Energy Champion’ at the 2017 Green Energy Awards. In 2017, he attended the Queen’s Garden Party in recognition of his contributions to the sector.

Justin Bear

Justin coordinates PEC’s Energy Team to install simple energy efficiency measures and provide advice. He also works behind the scenes to develop new opportunities. With a Natural Sciences degree from the University of Bath, he excels at communicating technical information in an uncomplicated and engaging way. He previously used these skills delivering fuel poverty projects at the Centre of Sustainable Energy in Bristol, and worked for Good Energy.

Jon Selman

Jon has been with PEC since the beginning and was involved in the preparatory work leading to the establishment of PEC and PEC Renewables, including overseeing business plans, governance and delivery of various project programmes. He has ongoing experience of dealing with energy related issues in a planning capacity, from policy through to negotiations including with district heating, onsite renewables and solar master planning. His background is in urban design, planning, and as a chartered landscape architect, with over 20 years’ experience of negotiation and project delivery of environmental projects.

Cat Ansell

Cat provides communications and engagement services for all of the companies under the PEC banner. Her role involves management of the website, social media channels, member communications and governance, marketing of specific services and campaigns, community engagement and event organisation. She previously developed these skills working at the University of Plymouth. Cat has a degree in Marine Biology and a Masters in Marine Science, with research that focused on climate change; she is passionate about engaging the public with environmental issues.

Clive Turner

Clive had the role of Director of Housing and then Director of Community Services for Plymouth City Council. He was appointed as the Chief Executive of Plymouth Community Homes, which took on ownership, improvement and management of the council’s 16,000 homes. He led the transformation of North Prospect, began a new build housing programme and took a personal lead in establishing a ‘green plan’ for the organisation, which now would be seen as a carbon reduction strategy. Before leaving PCH, he signed off the proposal to develop Passivhaus homes in Whitleigh.

Duncan Tringham

Duncan is an experienced projects lawyer who specializes in property development and energy schemes. Duncan’s recent experience includes advising Cornwall Council on the Langarth Garden Village Scheme; the collaboration with the People for Places for the development of a ‘living village’ at Higher Newham; and on the West Carclaze Garden Village, an eco-town with electricity supplied by two solar farms utilising a ‘smart grid’. He has also worked to deliver a ground breaking affordable housing and social care scheme with Ivybridge Town Council, advised on the UK’s first private wire industrial wind turbine scheme and a pioneering scheme involving wind and solar developments on five complex sites, which was nominated for ‘Best Renewable Energy Scheme’ at the REGEN awards.

Greg Wotton

Greg is currently working in the construction sector designing environmentally conscious and Passive houses for communities. He has worked in the sector for a few years and specialised at university. This is where he designed a high-speed rail network to connect the South West and was nominated for the RIBA Bronze Medal. He has also been part of a community catalyst group call Inter:change, with the intention to inspire people to take ownership of building projects, seeing when it’s appropriate for the community to make a decision and creating socially sustainable projects.

Chris Penberthy

Councillor Chris Penberthy is the Cabinet member for Housing and Cooperative Development. His portfolio includes or has included, housing, social enterprise development and support, community safety, neighbourhood working, child poverty, welfare policy and financial inclusion. He has spent most of his working life in charities, and was awarded a fellowship of the Royal Society of Arts in Recognition of his contribution to the voluntary and community sector. He has also held a variety of trusteeships and directorships in charities and social enterprises.

Michelle Virgo

Michelle is a founder member and former Chair of Plymouth Social Enterprise Network (PSEN), and as her day job manages the team and budgets at School for Social Entrepreneurs in Dartington. She spent nine years as a member of a worker co-op, and is an experienced facilitator, trainer and conflict resolution practitioner.

Michelle has a degree in Environmental Science, where she focused on the science, politics and economics of climate change, and has been a long term advocate and campaigner for the shift to a low carbon economy. She recently convened the Zero Carbon: Climate Emergency for Businesses event in Plymouth and collated the Zero Carbon Toolkit on the PSEN website. Previous roles include managing cash flow for Housing Association development projects in East Anglia and leading on homelessness, education and mental health projects in the voluntary sector.

Michelle and her partner are currently building a low cost, low carbon home for themselves.

Hilary Kolinsky

Hilary is an experienced architectural professional with a diverse background including business management, community engagement, event organisation, academic research and teaching. As Co-Director at McCaren Design Ltd she has led the company’s transformation into a worker co-op that shares responsibility and benefits fairly between all staff. As co-initiator of the Inter:change collective, she co-produced the We Can Do It! event to promote the potential of community-led development in Plymouth and share learning with others in the region and nationally. With the Royal Cinema Trust she is working towards acquisition of the former Reel Cinema as a community-owned asset. She is co-ordinating the production of a Neighbourhood Plan alongside the Hoe Neighbourhood Forum.

Ian Hutchcroft

Ian has over 25 years’ experience of working to deliver low carbon energy systems, has brought over £20m of innovation investment into the local energy sector, and has won two Ashden Awards for sustainable energy innovation. He was previously Energy Saving Trust’s Head of Delivery in England and Devon County Council’s Sustainable Prosperity Manager, and is currently working with Energiesprong UK and Regen to develop new ways of delivering net zero energy homes. He is leading ground-breaking delivery projects in the UK, including the Zero Energy Buildings Catalyst (ZEBCat) Project in Devon, and developing a large volume deal with leading social landlords and industry partners.

George Lewis

George has a degree in Environmental Science from Plymouth University, an MSc in Environmental and Earth Resource Management from the University of Kingston, and a postgraduate diploma in Surveying from the College of Estate Management. He has skills and experience across the breadth of delivering new build projects, within the commercial, residential and educational sectors, including but not limited to management of all stages of the development process, managing feasibility and viability project stages, preparing and submitting planning applications, and managing consultant teams. He is currently working as the Development Manager at Cornwall Community Land Trust.

Robin Jackson

Robin joined the Taylor Lewis team from Trowers & Hamlins solicitors where he worked as a lawyer for 8 years, advising Registered Providers, individuals and companies on all aspects of residential and commercial development and construction projects, as well as property and land acquisitions and disposals. Robin’s legal background and detailed knowledge of all types of building contracts, development agreements and statutory agreements provides for an enhanced level of support for all Taylor Lewis clients. Robin has a vast experience of working with RP’s and his transferrable skills from his legal background allows him to maintain these relationships and deliver an exceptional service as an Associate at Taylor Lewis.