Our team

The Regen SW team comprises:

Matthew Spencer, chief executive

Matthew is responsible for the overall management of Regen SW, the development of its work programme, relationships with key national and regional partners and for providing public leadership for renewables in the region.

Matthew trained as a biologist and has worked in the environment sector for 20 years. He has worked in the UK and Latin America on wildlife conservation and land management but has spent the last ten years working on climate change and energy policy. Prior to joining Regen SW, Matthew worked for Greenpeace, where he was a campaign director, and developing Greenpeace's ‘solutions' work on renewable energy. Matthew is a member of the government's Renewables Advisory Board.

Keith Gillanders, senior policy advisor

Keith is responsible for our work on marine energy and plays a leading role in the development of new business support and technology acceleration projects.

Keith has 30 years' experience in engineering and consultancy. He did voluntary service overseas (VSO) in West Africa and then worked for engineering consultants PB Power for 10 years on electricity schemes and system planning. Prior to joining Regen SW, Keith was employed by PricewaterhouseCoopers, where he managed assignments for utility companies and the government in the UK and overseas. He is a chartered engineer with a masters degree in economics.

Cheryl Hiles, head of programmes

Cheryl is responsible for Regen SW's core programme of activities on renewables deployment, demand reduction and business support.  She continues to be proactive on planning and policy issues, where she has led a number of successful initiatives to improve policy and practice within the region, including the development of the South West Wind Protocol.

Cheryl began her career as the planning and environmental policy advisor at the South West Regional Assembly, where she was instrumental in setting up the REvision 2010 project to establish sub-regional renewable energy targets. She holds a first class honours degree in Geography and Applied Economics, and an MSc in Sustainable Environmental Management. Cheryl is a trustee of the Centre for Sustainable Energy, a national charity based in Bristol.

Chloe Uden, office and events manager

Chloe is responsible for managing our administrative and financial systems, and ensuring everything runs smoothly. Chloe is also responsible for the organisation and management of all Regen SW events including the annual Renewable Futures conference and the Green Energy Awards dinner.

Chloe is a graduate in Arts & Cultural Management, and has five years experience running exhibitions, performances, seminars and workshops within the arts and education sectors across the South West. She developed an interest in environmental issues while running themed artist-in-schools projects.

James Reddy, communications manager

James works to promote the south west's position as a leader in sustainable energy.  He is responsible for our public relations and public affairs work with the media, councillors and MPs. He is also editor of our publications and our website.

James previously worked as senior media relations executive for the East of England Development Agency, and prior to that he was a public relations consultant and copywriter.  James has 10 years' PR and marketing communications experience, and holds an honours degree in Public Media.

Stephen Green, technology project manager

Stephen is responsible for our technology support and leads the organisation's biomass development programme.

Stephen joined Regen SW in june 2008, and has a background in Systems Engineering, Project and Programme Management.  He holds an honours degree in Engineering, is a Chartered Electrical Engineer, and Member of the Association of Project Management.

Tony Norton, head of low-carbon development

Tony is responsible for Regen SW's promotion of low-carbon development in the south west.  He provides strategic advice on sustainable energy and onsite renewables, particularly in large new housing developments. Tony joined Regen SW from the University of Exeter's Centre for Energy and the Environment, which specialises in applied research in the built environment. He continues to hold a part-time position at the university.

Tony has over 25 years' experience in the energy sector, and has held a variety of managerial, commercial and technical positions in the UK and overseas. He is a Chartered Chemical Engineer and has an MBA from Cranfield University.

Lee Richards, business support manager

Lee is Regen SW's business support manager and works with the head of business development to provide strategic support to the south west renewable energy supply chain. He is responsible for understanding the capabilities of businesses in the region, and delivering activities to improve and exploit this capability.  In addition, Regen SW's broader remit will see Lee working to grow and support energy-efficiency businesses in the south west .

Lee has worked assisting businesses in the region for the past six years and joined Regen SW from Promar International Ltd where he worked as a business consultant. He holds a first class honours degree in Business and Estate Management and an MSc in Business Management.