Who Are Harborough Energy / Harborough Solar One
Harborough Energy was started in December 2014 to facilitate affordable, clean energy projects for the communities in and around Market Harborough. These local energy projects are designed to offer attractive investment opportunities, as well as, reasonable returns for the land and property owners who host our installations.
Harborough Solar One was created by Harborough Energy. It is a community benefit society with a volunteer board of members who are responsible for the management, operation and development of the organisation in order to fulfil its social purpose.
As a social enterprise, Harborough Solar One is an exemplar for reducing carbon through locally owned and managed renewable energy. The income received is used to pay back the investors in our projects, reduce energy costs of our hosts and to benefit local communities by improving energy use and encouraging better home insulation.
If you would like to join us – please get in touch, we’d be delighted to hear from you and the expertise you could add to Harborough Energy or Harborough Solar One. Information about our meetings, roles and structure can be found via our Board Meetings and AGMs page.
Harborough Solar One (created by Harborough Energy) are:
Peter Jones OBE
After retiring formally after 25 years in the waste sector, Peter T Jones is involved in expounding and delivery of the emergent circular economy. Interest in the concept developed after initiating the Biffaward Mass Balance Programme from 1997 to 2008. Now retired from Biffa he is operating in NED or support roles for advanced thermal conversion technology companies as well as pro bono work for Policy Connect, environmental NGOs, CIWEM and a Community Interest Company establishing low carbon best practice in Leicestershire. That work facilitates links between funders, technology providers, waste companies, property companies and fossil energy users.
He qualified as an Industrial Economist in 1969 , holds an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Southampton for work associated with Environmental technologies and is a Member or Fellow of CIM , CIWEM, CIWM , CILT. He was awarded an OBE for services to the environment in 2007.
He has advised a wide range of blue chips with regard to Distributed energy from Waste, Chaired the WRAP sponsored Gas to Grid Group and the now defunct but ground breaking West Midlands study into co-location of renewable energy and recovery processes. Peter has been on the board since late 2014.
Peter has also acted as Chair of an Educational Trust in Northamptonshire in the process of adapting to changing needs for scale and improvement in performance.
Dar
ren Woodiwiss
Over 25 years experience of delivering software systems to business and a keen environmentalist. Co-founder of Transition Town Market Harborough, Darren initiated the lottery funding application that eventually established Sustainable Harborough.
Darren has strong local contacts and his desire is to improve the sustainability of the town and deliver clean efficient energy and improve the wealth and outcomes of the local population. He has been on the board since late 2014.
John Twidell
John joined the board at the end of 2017.
He previously held the Chair in Renewable Energy at De Montfort University and before that was Director of the Energy Studies Unit of Strathclyde University. He has served on the Boards of the British Wind Energy Association (now RenewableUK), the UK Solar Energy Society and Westmill Windfarm Co-operative, and on committees of the Institute of Physics. He was an adviser to the UK Parliamentary Select Committee on Energy’s report on renewable energy. His co-authored text book ‘Renewable Energy Resources’ (Routledge) sells worldwide – now in its 4th edition. Books of Edited Proceedings include ‘Energy for Rural and Island Communities’ and ‘Offshore Wind Power’.
Members of Harborough Solar One are welcome to visit the Twidell’s home which relies on solar water heating, solar electricity, internal and external insulation, wood stoves and wood pellet boiler, vegetable and fruit garden and an electric car.
Carl Tiivas
Carl joined the board at the end of 2021.
Carl is a Physics graduate who has worked in Medical Imaging Departments for NHS hospitals for over 33 years. He has specialised in radioactive tracer imaging, medical instrumentation and ultrasound imaging. He was Head of Vascular Ultrasound at University Hospital Coventry and Lead Ultrasound specialist for the Coventry and Warwickshire section of the National Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening Program.
Carl has lived in the Lutterworth area for most of his life and is secretary of the Lutterworth Allotment Society. He has a keen interest in sustainability, renewable energy and environmental economics.
Operational Support for Harborough Solar One
This crucial service is provided via Lesley (pictured), Sarah and the rest of the team at MyAdminSupport. They are a well established local company contracted originally by Harborough Energy and now by Harborough Solar One. On a part time basis, they provide key day-to-day functions and operational support – including monitoring and responding to Harborough Energy email.
Accounting Support for Harborough Energy and Harborough Solar One
We have been provided accountancy support by Master Accounting since our initial contact with Mark Buckmaster in June 2015 (via Sustainable Harborough). This local firm, based in Ashley, did a considerable amount of work for our first potential project and the creation of Harborough Solar One, including a 20 year profit & loss and balance sheet forecast. They have supported Harborough Energy over many years (including Companies House reporting) and now are focusing on Harborough Solar One (including the production of Annual Accounts and statutory reporting to FCA).
Previous Post Holders:
Denise Marsdon (up to March 2019)
We are very grateful for the operational support previously provided by Denise Marsdon whose part-time services we retained from the disbanded team at Sustainable Harborough.
Denise worked extensively in both the renewable energy sector and in delivering community engagement and providing strategic energy support for local authorities.
Oliver Savage (up to August 2019)
Oliver was Chairman of the Challenge Partnership Board for the Big Lottery Funded Sustainable Harborough project and was a board member from early 2016.
He has worked in environmental sustainability policy and projects for nearly 30 years working in local government, the voluntary sector and as an Independent Consultant. Oliver has lived in Leicester for the past 25 years and has a commitment to supporting local environmental initiatives.
His other passion is cricket and Oliver coaches juniors at Leicester Electricity Sports Cricket Club.
Judith Waddington (up to August 2019)
Judith joined the board at the end of 2018, having lived in Market Harborough since 2013. Since retiring after more than 30 years employed by local authorities, she has undertaken voluntary work with a community environmental trust and school governing bodies. She is a keen organic gardener and has solar panels on the house. She promotes the view that moving around on foot, by bike, along with well planned and resourced public transport should be the new normal.
Neil Burke (up to September 2021)
Neil is the Managing Director of NBJ in Husbands Bosworth which was established in 1982. They specialise in the design and creation of high quality Bespoke Joinery and Cabinetry for Residential and Commercial premises globally. Neil joined the board as NBJ became the host site for our second community energy project at the end of 2018.
Sharon Burke (up to September 2021)
Sharon and Neil have worked together since 1982 to create NBJ, with a shared commitment to customers and staff. Sharon manages the NBJ Accounts, HR, Marketing and Administration ensuring the efficient facilitation of day-to-day operations. Sharon joined the board at the start of 2019.
Operational Support for Harborough Energy and Harborough Solar One (to June 2022)
From early 2019, this service was provided mainly by Donna and the rest of the team at MyAdminSupport. They were contracted by Harborough Energy on a part time basis to provide key support across the two organisations. Donna moved to support the MD of a busy events management company.
Gavin Fletcher (standing down during 2022)
Gavin joined the board in early 2018 having been the Project Manager for Sustainable Harborough since its inception in 2013 until it closed formally at the end of 2017. He works with the Public Health department in Leicestershire County Council, and the Energy Services Department of Nottingham City Council – based in the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership.
His Public Health role explores the links between food, sustainability and health and well-being. He works with localities to link up work on food poverty, healthy eating, community growing, local economy and the environmental impact of food.
David Robbins (standing down during 2022)
David has lived in Harborough for over 35 years whilst working across England in service management, information sharing, energy and transport related initiatives. He has had a keen interest in fuel conservation, process efficiency, sustainability and environmental issues since the early 80s.
Working with the board since early 2016 allowed him to get involved locally and apply his business experience and technical skills to help improve sustainability for Harborough people and local businesses.