As Policy Manager I’m responsible for lobbying the Scottish Government, UK Government, and regulators on behalf of our members as well as our wider policy strategy.
My background is in public policy and politics, especially pertaining to rural and island communities, decarbonisation, and energy.
I completed my undergraduate in International Relations at St Andrews, and continued on to a MSc in Renewable Energy Development with Heriot Watt ICIT based in Stromness Orkney. My MSc dissertation focussed on operationalising the concept of Energy Democracy as a tool to assess policy and strategies. I am also a local councillor for Kirkwall West & Orphir in Orkney Islands Council.
Having grown up in Orkney I’ve seen the huge potential which community energy initiatives, and community led projects, have. Community driven development and decarbonisation has a vastly wider multiplier effect and impact on the lives of local people and often fragile communities. It’s my role to ensure policymakers and regulators understand this, and to lobby for the removal of blocks to the vast potential that community driven decarbonisation and energy holds.
I’m always keen to talk to those with an interest in community energy policy, and to meet groups who have experienced first-hand policy blocks or challenges which we can take forward.
