Laura Sandys appointed to LDES company Highview Power’s board
Laura Sandys CBE has been appointed to the board of directors for long duration energy storage (LDES) company Highview Power.
The appointment follows the recent appointment of Rupert Pearce as CEO of Highview Power, which is currently developing a 50MW/250MW liquid air energy storage project in Greater Manchester.
In 2021, African energy conglomerate Janus Continental Group doubled its investment in the company to over £20 million, as interest in LDES continues to grow apace globally.
“Highview Power is set to play a critical role in enabling the energy transition not only in the UK but around the world,” Sandys said.
“Its innovative long duration storage technology will help us move away from volatility, high prices and insecurity and double down on domestic energy production. I look forward to supporting Highview Power’s management team during this exciting period of growth and opportunity.”
A prominent figure in the energy sector, Sandys brings significant experience to the role, having led two government taskforces on the digitalisation of the energy sector and contributed to whole system policy changes. She was awarded a CBE for energy policy in 2019.
Sandys served on the Energy and Climate Change Select Committee and was parliamentary private secretary to the minister for Climate Change. Since leaving government, she has co-chaired the IPPR Environment and Justice Commission, run the Reshaping Regulation Programme with Imperial College London and has been a member of the Government’s Cost of Energy Review.
“Laura brings unrivalled experience and insight to Highview Power, and I am absolutely delighted that she has joined our Board,” said Pearce, CEO of Highview Power.
“I am sure that Laura will be a key contributor as the company starts to deliver its exciting technology into a live grid environment in the UK and begins to scale its activities around the world.”
As well as her new role on the Highview Power board, Sandys is chair of the British Standards Institute Net Zero Advisory Board, chair of the ESG committee on the board of SGN and is a board member of the Energy Systems Catapult.
Guy Newey announced as successor to ESC CEO Philip New
Guy Newey is to succeed Philp New as the CEO of the Energy Systems Catapult (ESC), when he retires later in 2022.
He is currently director of Strategy and Performance at ESC, having joined the innovation centre in 2018. Prior to joining, he worked in government as energy and climate adviser to Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy secretary of state, Greg Clark, and special adviser to energy secretary, Amber Rudd.
“I am beyond thrilled to have been asked to lead the ESC team into its next phase, building on the incredible legacy that Philip and the team have built over the past six years,” said Newey.
“Moving to a net zero energy system requires audacious innovation and the UK is perfectly placed to capture that opportunity. I want to harness ESC’s unique set of capabilities to turbo boost those pioneering businesses – small and large – to ensure they capture the unparalleled opportunity of clean growth.”
Before his work in government – which included being involved in the decision to close UK coal-fired power stations, driving energy independence and developing the Clean Growth Strategy – he worked for energy supplier OVO and think tank, Policy Exchange.
In addition to his work at ESC, Newey is a non-executive director with environmental charity UK100.
“Guy’s appointment is great news not just for Energy Systems Catapult, but for the wider energy transition,” New said, welcoming his successor to the role.
“His experience in senior roles in Government and his contacts across industry means he understands the huge opportunity for investment, growth and jobs that the shift to a net zero energy system presents. He is a powerful champion for the companies we work with, and I am confident he can lead the team to even greater success.”