Gillian has over 14 years’ experience working in the energy sector across corporate, public and third sectors roles supported by her postgraduate studies in Energy & Environmental Management and MSc in International Public Policy. She currently works as a senior analyst and comms manager to the CEO Office at ScottishPower Group having previously worked for a number of years at SP Energy Networks and has a strong interest in how organisations practically facilitate a just transition and measure their impacts in this essential area. During her time at SPEN she enabled consumers and stakeholders to strategically contribute to the company’s forward-looking Transmission and Distribution business plans and most recently she ensured the delivery of SPEN’s first ever Community Energy Strategy and Just Transition commitments.
Gillian is also a former employee of Community Energy Scotland (CES) where she worked as the Innovation Manager for the charity from 2015-18. During her time at CES she successfully delivered the £2.5M Mull and Iona ACCESS project – balancing local electrical heat demand with a community owned hydro scheme. She also spent her early career working in Australia and New Zealand as a hydrogeologist where she was able to oversee the successful delivery of a number of hot-sedimentary aquifer geothermal energy projects over a variety of scales and geographical settings.
Gillian has formal training in mental health and provides psychodynamic counselling as well as mental health training across Scotland after completing her studies at Human Development Scotland, the former Scottish Institute of Human Relations. She is a keen stand-up paddleboarding instructor and uses her spare time to deliver SUP lessons and water safety education to those in vulnerable circumstances or with additional support needs. Gillian is committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion in all areas of her work and is particularly focused on supporting those living with the impacts of trauma to access mentoring opportunities, affordable counselling and experience the outdoors.