The Sustainable Energy Association announces a significant leadership transition as Dave Sowden, the original founder, takes over as interim Chief Executive following Jade Lewis’ decision to step down.
Russell Dean, Residential Product Group Director for Mitsubishi Electric and Vice President of the Sustainable Energy Association, commented:
“On behalf of the SEA Executive and the entire membership. we would like to express our deepest gratitude to Jade Lewis for her dedicated service and leadership over the past four years.
We’re pleased to see Dave Sowden return after a period several years’ absence. As the original founder of the SEA , Dave brings a wealth of experience and a deep and up-to-date understanding of the energy efficiency and heating sectors having been immersed in relevant policy from wide-ranging relevant client advisory work in the immediate past. We are confident that he will lead the SEA seamlessly through this brief transition.
Dave Sowden is already well-known at senior levels among key stakeholders, which allows him easy access at the right levels across the full range of SEA priorities. The SEA will continue to achieve its goals and uphold its commitment to excellence through constructive, evidence-based advocacy for policy change aimed at achieving better and lower carbon buildings in the future.”
Dave Sowden, new interim Chief Executive at the Sustainable Energy Association, added:
“I’m delighted to return to the SEA at such an important time in the energy transition and in the political cycle. Whilst recent progress in decarbonising the built environment is commendable, the challenges ahead remain immense. Energy efficiency and decarbonised heat remain the most cost-effective way of reducing consumer bills, relieving fuel poverty, improving energy security and moving us towards net zero. Yet the policy framework still lacks the integrated and comprehensive strategy needed to both deliver the measures needed and secure consumer buy-in.
In the coming months I look forward to re-engaging with the SEA’s members and its key stakeholders to help bring industry, government and other stakeholders together to reach a shared vision on how we can achieve the exciting and vital changes ahead.”
Notes to editors:
The Sustainable Energy Association is a member-based industry body offering innovative policy solutions that link up building-level technologies and the wider energy system to achieve a low carbon, secure energy future for the UK, benefits for UK consumers, and commercial growth for businesses working in the sector. See more at https://sustainableenergyassociation.com
Jade Lewis was appointed as the SEA’s Chief Executive in December 2019, following Lesley Rudd’s departure to join Electrical Safety First.
Dave Sowden was the original founder of the SEA, and its Chief Executive until 2017. In recent years, he has worked for Gemserv advising a wide range of clients on matters associated with Low Carbon Buildings policy. He was formerly an advisor to several Secretaries of State for Energy and Climate Change and its predecessor departments through membership of the Renewables Advisory Board, and has extensive experience in policy advocacy, engineering, public affairs, and communications. He also holds a separate role as an independent expert adviser to the Isle of Man Government’s Climate Change Transformation Board. More detail can be found at his LinkedIn profile at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davesowden/ and the Gemserv website at https://gemserv.com/authors/dave-sowden/.