Not long after parliament returned from summer recess and one of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy’s joint permanent secretaries has stood down from his role. Sir Martin Donnelly has resigned in order to establish the new Department for International Trade – set up in the wake of the UK’s Brexit vote – leaving former DECC permanent secretary Alex Chisholm to become the sole permanent secretary at BEIS. Chisholm assumed the role on Monday (5 September) and BEIS secretary Greg Clark said he was looking forward to collaborating with him on the “vital work” that lies ahead.
Solar developer Lark Energy Commercial has appointed Neil Dallamore as its new managing director. He joins from Swedish firm Trelleborg Sealing Solutions and will be immediately tasked with leading the development of new products, services, technologies and revenue streams for the business division following significant cuts to the feed-in tariff.
“Neil has the expertise and experience to help us take this division of the company to its next stage and will be leading the team to assist us extend and develop both our services and products,” Paul Adams, managing director at Lark Energy, said.
Renewable Energy Association chief executive Nina Skorupska has been appointed to the board of directors at Transport for London, giving a possible hint towards renewed efforts at the transport operator to decarbonise its activities.
“I am deeply excited by this appointment. I have spent the past three years immersed in the changing world of energy, where the transition to a low-carbon, accessible, and affordable energy system is in full swing. To have a seat at such a diverse, intelligent, and accomplished table is a humbling thing, and I hope my knowledge and experience will be of value in these turbulent times of change and opportunity,” she said.
Eversheds has meanwhile added to its project finance practice by bringing onboard partners Mark Dennison and Conrad Purcell from Norton Rose Fulbright. Dennison is to focus predominantly on renewables projects, particularly biomass, offshore wind and solar, while Purcell’s practice covers the financing of such energy and infrastructure projects. Indraj Mangat, head of clean energy finance at Eversheds, welcomed the duo to the firm.
“Both Mark and Conrad will greatly enhance our existing energy offering as their project finance expertise directly aligns with the issues our clients are facing. These two high calibre lawyers will ensure we are very well placed to advise clients across the clean energy board and in the delivery of new infrastructure.”