OnPath Energy appoints HSE lead

Sunderland-headquartered renewable energy developer OnPath Energy has appointed Rod Gardner as its new head of health, safety, security and environment.

Rod takes on a wide-ranging role covering all of OnPath Energy’s operational and planned renewable energy sites, alongside responsibility for health and safety across the company’s head office activities.

He joins the business after more than 40 years in the electricity industry, having spent his entire career at Northern Powergrid. 

Starting as a trainee in 1984, Rod progressed through engineering and operational leadership roles, including serving as head of network operations and head of operational performance improvement.

His experience spans major infrastructure projects, operational technology and sector-wide policy development, alongside international emergency response work. 

He was awarded an OBE in 2019 for services to the electricity industry.

Rod said: “This new role not only gives me the chance to share some of the experience that I’ve built up through my career, but also to keep learning from an excellent team that’s bringing forward some really exciting green energy projects.

“I’ve always been motivated by making a difference and being involved with lots of different aspects of OnPath’s future development will enable me to do just that.”

Rod’s appointment supports OnPath Energy’s continued growth as it expands its UK renewable energy portfolio.

Andy Bilclough, grid and operations director at OnPath Energy, added: “Rod has a phenomenal range of expertise and experience from a career that has seen him successfully delivering some enormous and extremely complex projects.

“Bringing this degree of knowledge into the business can only be beneficial for the whole OnPath team and we’re extremely pleased that he’s chosen to join us after such a distinguished career with Northern PowerGrid.”

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