I graduated in 1969 from the University of Kent, Canterbury, UK with an Honours Degree in Chemical Physics; and in 1973 with a PhD in low temperature fluorescence spectroscopy of anthracene and related molecular crystals. I am a Member of the Institute of Physics; and an Honorary Fellow of the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers.

The oil price rises of the 1970s inspired my decision to build a career in the energy, and subsequently the climate change mitigation, fields. I worked for 25 years in Government service focusing on energy efficiency, clean energy RD&D and energy/low carbon policy. In 2001, I joined the Carbon Trust (which I helped set up) as one of its founder members. I was the Technology Director from 2001-07 where my role was to advise on low carbon technologies and also the development of a range of customer offerings and innovation instruments. Since Autumn 2007, in my new role as Director, Projects, my main focus has been to help develop the Carbon Trust’s international outreach activities. Our aim is to build a portfolio of strategic international engagements with key countries, such as the US, China, etc; and with multi-lateral organisations, to help accelerate the move to a low carbon global economy.

I am a member of a number of Advisory Committees working in business, academic and Government fora to help create and develop ideas about how to move to a low carbon economy.