Renewables 2012

Sean Kelly

Director, Transmission Capital

Biography

Sean Kelly spent his early career designing National Grid's transmission system, and later became Project Director for the development of the BritNed 1000MW HVDC link between Britain and the Netherlands.

In 2008 Sean co-founded Transmission Capital, an independent transmission company. Transmission Capital Partners became Britain's first OFTO when it took over the cables to the Robin Rigg offshore wind farm in March; they are also the preferred bidder for the OFTOs serving the Barrow, Gunfleet and Ormonde wind farms.

Sean is an active participant in the offshore wind and transmission industry and is a member of RenewableUK's Offshore Grid Group.

Steve Riley

Chief Executive Officer, International Power GDF Suez

Biography

Steve Riley was appointed to the Board of International Power in January 2004 as Executive Director, Europe and is responsible for managing all aspects of performance in the European region including plant operations, finance, energy trading and business development. Steve joined the Company in 1985 holding senior positions in two UK power stations before being appointed Regional Director, Australia in January 2000. Steve was Chairman of the Association of Electricity Producers in the UK 2008-2009. He is a Non-Executive Director of Shanks Group plc.

Charles Hendry

Minister of State, Department of Energy & Climate Change

Biography

Charles Hendry has been Member of Parliament for Wealden since 2001. Prior to joining the Government, he was Shadow Minister for Energy. He had previously held the position of Shadow Minister for Energy, Industry and Postal Affairs. Before this, Charles was the Deputy Chairman of the Conservative Party (2003-05), Shadow Minister for Young People (2002-05) and Shadow Minister for Industry and Enterprise (May – December 2005).

From 1992-97, Charles Hendry was Member of Parliament for High Peak, Vice-Chairman of the Conservative Party (1995-1997) and Chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Homelessness (1992-1996). Following the 1997 General Election, he was appointed Chief of Staff to the Rt Hon William Hague during his leadership of the Conservative Party, before establishing and leading the Business Liaison Unit at Conservative Party headquarters.

Charles Hendry's business career has mostly been spent in Public Relations, working with the international communications groups Ogilvy & Mather PR and Burson-Marsteller. He was Special Adviser to the Rt Hon John Moore MP as Secretary of State for Social Services (1988) and to the Rt Hon Tony Newton MP as Minister of State for Trade & Industry and then Secretary of State for Social Security (1988-90). He was Founder/Chairman/Chief Executive of The Agenda Group (1999-2005), a specialist consultancy helping company Chairmen and Chief Executives with their corporate networking.

He was born and brought up in Sussex and attended Rugby School from 1972-1976 before going on to study for a degree in Business Studies at Edinburgh University from 1977-1981.

Stephanie McGregor

Director for Offshore Transmission, Ofgem Eserve

Biography

Stephanie is the Director for Offshore Transmission, leading the team which is delivering the first transitional tender round for Offshore Transmission Assets as well as developing policy and implementation planning for future rounds. Stephanie is also a member of the Management Committee for the new Ofgem E-Serve.

With 15 years working in the design, development, approval and delivery of infrastructure and assets with the public sector in the UK and Australia, Stephanie has delivered projects through both traditional construction management as well as public private models including PFI and PPP. Prior to joining Ofgem Stephanie lead operational project management and bidding for PFI projects in both the health and educations sectors for John Laing. Stephanie is a qualified town planner with post graduate qualifications in business and sustainable development.