The board of Rossendale Valley Energy

Kate Gilmartin

Kate has a Masters of Science (MSc) in renewable energy and has worked in low carbon project development for many years. Kate has been a passionate advocate within community energy for over a decade assisting and enabling communities to scope, seed and develop locally owned community energy projects. This gives communities a stake in their own energy future; encouraging a move towards the difficult, yet crucial path to Net Zero. Community energy assets bring multiple benefits to communities, including a stake in local energy generation, the revenue it brings and a reduction in CO2 emissions.

Julie Adshead

Julie has had a career as an academic lawyer, specialising in environmental law.  She has edited a collection on ‘Green Buildings and the Law’ and published on subjects such as environmental crime, planning law and marine pollution. Now semi-retired, Julie continues to teach on a Masters programme at the University of Salford, alongside her elected role as Councillor for Whitewell Ward in Rossendale. Julie is also active in a range of local environmental activities including Incredible Edible Rossendale and Whitewell Valley Pride as well as being a trustee for two local community centres and governor at Water School.’

Tricia Brindle

Tricia had a career managing International Development projects at the British Council. Moving from international to local, she has focused on communities closer to home; implementing environmental, heritage, employment and community programmes across Pennine Lancashire. Tricia developed Rossendale Borough Council’s Plastics Free Rossendale policy and set up their programme for carbon reduction projects. Tricia was a founder trustee of the Bacup Consortium Trust and currently volunteers with Bacup Pride and Valley Heritage.

Deyrick Allen

Deyrick brings his extensive expertise in the Internet of Things (IoT) and smart consulting to his role as a Volunteer Director at Rossendale Valley Energy. His profound passion for sustainability and community-driven initiatives aligns perfectly with the cooperative’s mission to provide renewable energy solutions and foster local engagement. With over three decades of experience in IT and technical consultancy, Deyrick has a proven track record of driving innovation and operational excellence across a variety of sectors. Deyrick’s leadership is pivotal in navigating the complexities of energy and environmental management, leveraging technology to enhance efficiency and promote sustainable practices within the community.

Ian Madley

Ian is a widely experienced General Manager and Business Developer. Since 2012 he has concentrated on research and teaching opportunities in the energy systems area and has raised more than £24m for research and training in this area. Between 2013 and 2015 he contributed to the development of the Universal Smart Energy Framework, an EU backed approach to management of electrical demand in distribution systems. He also led the development of the Smart Energy Network Demonstrator on the Keele University Campus and trial of the injection of Hydrogen into a UK gas network. During 2019 and over the Covid lockdown he led the combined academic input from Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester University and Salford University to the development of the GMCA Energy Innovation Agency.