Each year, Chase Community Solar Limited holds an AGM at which board elections take place, and any member over 18 who is not excluded by law from being the director of an organisation is eligible to stand for the Board.
The directors are currently :
Deb Crane – Having taken early retirement from a career covering various forms of Data Management, Deb has, over the last decade, been a serial investor across a portfolio of renewable-energy-centred cooperatives and other vehicles. With a technological background, and an interest in PV and EV since the Apollo age, Deb has multiple PV and battery installations. She joined the Board in October 2020.
Dave Crosby – Treasurer. Dave is a qualified Chemical Engineer with more than 20 years’ experience of improving manufacturing systems and supply chains. He works as a consultant, providing process improvement advice, and joined the Board in June 2017.
Mike Kinghan – Chair. Mike is an experienced economic regeneration professional who has worked in senior positions in local authorities and regeneration agencies as well as running his own consultancy business for several years. He was Chairman of the national award-winning Whittington and Fisherwick Environment Group for six years, leading the Group in devising a series of energy-saving programmes. In 2012 he was awarded the status of a regional ‘Green Leader’ in recognition of his work with WFEG and advocacy of low carbon communities and in June 2012 was awarded the MBE for services to sustainability and biodiversity in Staffordshire and the West Midlands region.
Andrea Simpson – Andrea has been a director of Chase Community Solar since it was formed in 2014, and was Society Secretary until 2022. Retired following a 30-year career in telecommunications, she has been interested in environmental issues since an early age, and is also a director of CCS’s sister organisation, Southern Staffordshire Community Energy.
Ian Smout – Society Secretary. Ian is a retired Chartered Civil Engineer who worked for 44 years on water engineering and management in developing countries. He is currently also a trustee of two charities: RedR UK, an international organisation focused on people and skills for disaster relief; and WaterWorks, helping provide water and sanitation in Malawi. Ian takes a close personal interest in renewable energy and was co-opted to the Board in February 2022.
Gordon Telling – Gordon is an experienced project manager who has worked at senior level in both the public and private sectors in the fields of sustainable transport and air quality improvement. Previously a director of the Society, he left to take up a post abroad, but has now returned and re-joined the Board in February 2022. He currently works for the City of Wolverhampton Council on Local Area Energy Planning, helping them on their road to Net Zero.