Partner Article

Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership appoint nationally-renowned energy expert

A nationally-renowned low energy housing expert has been appointed as the new chairman of the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership’s Energy Business Group.

John Barnham, Head of Sustainable Investment at the Orbit Group, one of the UK’s largest social housing providers, has taken over from Keith Budden, who stepped down from the position after moving to Cenex, the UK’s first Centre of Excellence for low carbon and fuel cell technologies, to become Head of Business Development.

John’s job involves leading a team to deliver low energy housing while maintaining a commercial focus for Orbit Group’s 38,000-strong housing stock and encouraging tenants to reduce energy consumption.

He is a board director of the Sustainable Housing Acton Partnership (SHAP) and Building Retrofit Network Community Interest Company, and a member of Housing Partnership UK, Energy Efficiency Partnership for Buildings, the International Housing Partnership and the European Federation for Living, which are committed to delivering low energy commercially sustainable housing.

John said: “Housing is a key factor in supporting economic growth in our region, whether it is new build developments or maintaining existing homes, and reducing future energy consumption within homes is critical.

“Supporting this is a wider focus on creating a low energy infrastructure and developing existing and new businesses with the skills and capability to place Coventry and Warwickshire as a centre of low energy excellence.

“We are fortunate that we already have a strong reputation for innovation and research through the multiple industries and academic institutes which have national and international recognition.

“We need to be looking at a broad range of alternative energy sources and the Coventry and Warwickshire area has an established track record of leading the research and delivery agenda.

“We want the LEP’s Energy Business Group to push those boundaries further and build on the work we have completed so far to demonstrate our value as well as support and collaborate with other Business Groups within the LEP where we can collectively provide added value.

“There are links between energy, housing and industry – not only in terms of building low carbon homes and business units – and it is important we make the most of the benefits to the environment, the economy and future growth of our area. They can be gained through energy savings and efficiencies but also in opening up new markets to companies in this area.”

Keith stepped down from the role as chairman principally because Cenex’s registered office is in Loughborough. However, he will remain part of the Energy Business Group as Cenex is helping deliver and invest in many low carbon vehicle and energy projects in the LEP area. This includes supporting the delivery of the electric vehicle charging infrastructure for Coventry and Warwickshire via the Plugged in Midland’s programme.

He said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed leading the Energy Business Group over the last couple of years and I know John will be successful in taking it forward.

“There is a great commitment from the group’s members to highlight investment opportunities for sustainable energy projects, promote the schemes that will help businesses reduce their energy costs, and encourage green growth in innovation and new business development.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Matt Joyce .