Shepherd and Wedderburn Partner announced as Chairman of Scottish Renewables

Scottish Renewables, the voice of Scotland’s renewable energy sector,  announces the appointment of its new Chairman and Vice-Chairman.

Patricia Hawthorn, Partner at UK law firm Shepherd and Wedderburn, has been appointed Chairman of the renewables body while Gordon MacDougall, Managing Director, Western Europe at global renewable developer RES, has been appointed Vice-Chairman.

Patricia replaces Ronnie Bonnar, Managing Director of Repsol Nuevas Energias UK, who has Chaired Scottish Renewables since 2013.

Commenting on her appointment, Patricia said: “With renewables now making an increasingly significant contribution to our energy mix, it is an exciting time to take on the role of Chairman of Scottish Renewables, an organisation which acts as a powerful advocate for the benefits provided by Scotland’s renewable energy sector.

“Given the opportunities and challenges presented by the move from support under the Renewables Obligation to competitive auctions for Contracts for Difference and the upcoming UK and Scottish Parliament elections, it is more important than ever that Scotland’s renewables sector speaks with a strong and united voice and that the interests of our members across all technologies are robustly represented by their industry body.

“I would like to pay tribute to my predecessor, Ronnie Bonnar, whose invaluable contribution helped Scottish Renewables navigate its way through some significant changes to the industry over the last two years.”

Since joining Shepherd and Wedderburn in 2007, Patricia has focussed on consenting four of the offshore windfarms planned for Scottish and UK waters.
Gordon MacDougall joined Renewable Energy Systems (RES) in June 2009 and oversees development, construction, generation and new renewable technologies for the whole of Western Europe.

On his new appointment as Vice-Chairman, Gordon said: “I’m delighted to be taking up the Vice-Chairman role on Scottish Renewables’ board, particularly at a time when representation for the industry and our members is more crucial than ever.
“At a time of big changes, it is vital that the organisation continues to put a strong case for continued support for all parts of the renewable energy sector in Scotland.”  

Notes

1. Patricia Hawthorn previously served as Scottish Renewables Vice-Chairman from 2013-2015. Patricia has over 30 years' experience in legal practice in Scotland and England and Wales. She has spent the last 18 years advising public and private sector clients on consenting, regulatory and compliance matters in relation to renewable technologies from energy from waste to wave and tidal. Joining Shepherd and Wedderburn in 2007, Patricia added further strength and depth to the planning and environment team focusing on energy and in particular, renewables. Most recently she has been working on consenting wind farms both on and offshore in Scotland and offshore in UK waters. Patricia chairs the offshore wind workgroup in Scottish Renewables and she is a member of RenewableUK's consents and licensing group.
2. Gordon MacDougall has been involved in the renewable sector for over 15 years. Prior to joining RES in 2009, Gordon worked for ScottishPower Renewables as Strategy and Investment Director and prior to that as Financial Projects Director at PPM Energy in  the US. Gordon is committed to the development of renewables as a serious alternative source of energy and has experience across many technologies. Away from the office, Gordon is married with three children and enjoys travel, outdoors and sports.