Energy Saving Trust announced today that Philip Sellwood is set to leave his position as Chief Executive Officer of Energy Saving Trust, after 16 years at the helm. Sellwood will retire in March 2020 and is to be succeeded by the organisation’s Group Director of Operations, Mike Thornton.
Appointed as CEO in 2003, Philip led the organisation to deliver on its mission to help the nation save energy, every day. He has been instrumental in both scaling and shaping the business model for what is one of the country’s leading organisations, committed to promoting energy efficiency and sustainable energy, heralded by both the public and private sectors UK wide.
Notable achievements during his tenure at Energy Saving Trust include setting up the very successful Warmworks, Energy Saving Trust’s first ever joint venture, to deliver the Scottish Government’s flagship national fuel poverty scheme, Warmer Homes Scotland.
Another success has been the expansion into work in Europe and globally with Energy Saving Trust leading a wide variety of EU-funded projects and also managing the large-scale Low Energy Inclusive Appliances (LEIA) programme for the Department for International Development (DFID).
A very significant growth in transport programmes is a further achievement under Philip’s leadership with Energy Saving Trust’s portfolio in this area now including active travel, sustainable transport advice, fleet consultancy, electric vehicles and their charging infrastructure and ebikes.
Philip has substantial experience in both the public and private sector and is an active member of a number of influential Boards. He has been a member of several influential government task forces, including the Government and Industry 2016 Zero Carbon Housing Task Force and as an Independent Commissioner to sit on the LGA Climate Change. He has also served as a non-executive director on Improvement and Development Agency (IDeA) board.
Philip currently serves as a non-executive director on Local Government Improvement Board, is Vice Chair of Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership, a senior independent director of Tevva Board and a trustee of Ellen MacArthur Foundation. He is also an advisor on the NHBC council. Professionally he is a Fellow of both the Royal Society of Arts and the Institute of Management.
Commenting, Philip Sellwood said: “It has been an immense privilege to work alongside the incredible and passionate teams here at Energy Saving Trust, as well as the organisations that make-up our sector. The last 16 years have been a remarkable time of change within the industry, though, there continues to be much work to be done.
As the debate and ideas for new policies to help reach net zero increase, there isn’t a more decisive time to act. It is for this reason that I am delighted to be handing over the reins to Mike Thornton, who brings with him strong leadership skills, knowledge and experience. He will play a crucial role in leading the organisation’s next phase of growth and shaping a wider policy environment that will impact how the UK will contribute to minimising climate change. It’s a hugely exciting and rewarding role, and I wish Mike every success.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
Energy Saving Trust
Energy Saving Trust is an independent organisation dedicated to promoting energy efficiency, low carbon transport and sustainable energy use. We aim to address the climate emergency and deliver the wider benefits of clean energy as the UK transitions to net zero.
We empower householders to make better choices, deliver transformative programmes for governments and support businesses with strategy, research and assurance – enabling everyone to play their part in building a sustainable future.
Biographies
Mike Thornton
Mike Thornton joined Energy Saving Trust’s Scottish team in 2002, and currently leads the delivery of all Energy Saving Trust programmes.
He started out as an academic undertaking research as a PhD student in ecological genetics. He then went on to become the first director at LEEP (now Changeworks), a regional NGO working on energy efficiency, transport and recycling.
Mike spent three years as development co-ordinator for Friends of the Earth (Scotland) after periods as a systems analyst and software research engineer, with what is now Rowntree in York. While in York, he was Chair of the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust’s Conservation Committee. Mike holds a First-Class Honours degree in genetics from the University of Nottingham.
Philip Sellwood
Philip Sellwood has been the Chief Executive of Energy Saving Trust since 2003, leading the organisation to deliver on its mission to help everyone save energy every day.
Philip has substantial experience in both the public and private sector and is an active member of a number of influential Boards. He has been a member of several influential government task forces, including the Government and Industry 2016 Zero Carbon Housing Task Force and as an Independent Commissioner to sit on the LGA Climate Change. He has also served as a non-executive director on Improvement and Development Agency (IDeA) board.
Philip currently serves as a non-executive director on Local Government Improvement Board, is Vice Chair of Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership, a senior independent director of Tevva Board and a trustee of Ellen MacArthur Foundation. He is also an advisor on the NHBC council. Professionally he is a Fellow of both the Royal Society of Arts and the Institute of Management.
Additional information on Energy Saving Trust joint ventures and programmes
The LEIA programme is a five year programme that is funded by the Department for International Development (DFID) and delivered jointly by Energy Saving Trust, which specialises in energy efficiency product verification, data and insight, advice and research, and CLASP, an international appliance energy efficiency and market development specialist not-for-profit organisation.
Warmworks Scotland is a partnership between Energy Saving Trust, Everwarm and Changeworks, it was formed to deliver the Scottish Government’s flagship national fuel poverty scheme, Warmer Homes Scotland. The Warmer Homes Scotland scheme was launched on 1st September 2015. It provides insulation, efficient heating and renewable technologies in the homes of households who are struggling with the cost of high energy bills, making homes warmer, more comfortable and more affordable to heat.
Energy Saving Trust transport programmes information and advice pages provide valuable advice when driving in all seasons. From planning your journey with all modes of transport to owning an electric car, our experts’ tips should be your first stop to achieving a greener journey.