Young Professionals in Renewables Networking Reception 2024 Speakers

Ian Funnell

Chair of the Energy Futures Laboratory, Imperial College London

Ian is Chair of the UK’s National Nuclear Laboratory, Chair of the NG Bailey Group, Chair of the Energy Futures Laboratory at Imperial College London, and advisor to the President of Hitachi Europe. Ian is also an Ambassador of the Women’s Leaders Association.

He has previously held positions on the CoVid Recovery Commission, the Made Smarter Commission and the UK Government’s Advisory Board of Innovate UK (Energy Revolution).

Ian is a graduate of Aberdeen University in Engineering Science. He is a Chartered Engineer, a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, Fellow of the Institution of Engineering & Technology, a Fellow of the Institute of Directors.

Michael Lynch

Founder & Managing Director, Ventus International

Michael is the Managing Director and founder of Ventus, an Executive Search and Recruitment Consultancy with an exclusive focus on renewable energy.
Having worked in the renewable energy sector since 2008, Michael has led on the delivery of a wide variety of resource solutions across a diverse, international client base including: Developers, Utilities, IPP’s, Infrastructure Funds, Consultancies, OEM’s, Tier 1 and Tier 2 Contractors, Public Sector bodies and Transmission Network Operators. Michael’s expertise spans the full suite of resource solutions delivery from overseeing Executive & Retained Search mandates to delivery of long-term contractor supply frameworks and volume RPO contracts.
Ventus prides itself on calibre of service delivery, specialist industry knowledge and networks, and working in partnership with clients to help them meet the world’s energy and climate challenges. The company exists to facilitate the Energy Transition by sourcing, connecting and developing top talent across the Onshore Wind, Offshore Wind, Solar, Battery Energy Storage, Green Hydrogen and Marine Renewables sectors.

Our multi-lingual team of consultants are supporting the development, acquisition, financing, construction and operation of clean energy assets in the UK, Europe, USA & APAC.

Isla Robb

Managing Director, Opergy Scotland

Having worked in the offshore wind sector for over 12 years, Isla has an in-depth knowledge of the offshore wind supply chain. With experience across the public and private sector, nationally and internationally. She understands the challenges facing those involved in the sector, looking to get into the sector and trying to shape it to benefit all.

Isla is Managing Director of Opergy Scotland, a clean energy consultancy. Working with the public and private sector, supporting growth and knowledge sharing. Isla and her team work with companies by utilising their in-depth clean energy sector knowledge and networks, relating this intelligence to the company's offerings and commercial position, to develop realistic strategies for market engagement.

Isla is equally passionate about diversity and inclusion. This led her to start Full Circle 21, a D&I network for the clean energy sector. The group provides free training and support to all members, helping them be their best. It also supports companies to proactively become more inclusive.