Elena leads the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB) standards and policy unit. A crucial part of this work is building consensus in sustainability standards development in partnership with more than 100 organisations and companies from all sectors and all regions of the world.
Elena has 10 years of experience working with biomass, biofuel and biomaterialsustainability standards, greenhouse gas assessments and certification. Prior to the RSB, she worked for an international certification body, where she was responsible for innovation management and programmes related to biofuel sustainability certification, green electricity labels and carbon footprints.
She has also served as a technical advisor at the Alternative Fuels Task Force (AFTF) and Fuel Task Group at the International Civil Aviation Organization, and as a sustainability consultant. She regularly speaks at international conferences.
Elena has two master’s degrees in environmental and political sciences.
Esa joined Drax in September 2019 as Chief Officer Capital Projects.
He has over 25 years’ experience in the energy industry, and prior to joining Drax he was Director of Strategy, Market Development and Asset Performance for Centralised Generation at Engie.
He has extensive knowledge of project leadership of new build gas, co-generation, and nuclear power plants together with the associated infrastructure, engineering, licensing and supplier logistics, and has also led the establishment of a new energy company in Asia.
Appointment to the Executive Committee:
Penny has a wealth of experience in the energy industry, and has led major integration and transformation projects, including the integration of International Power and GDF Suez.
She was previously Director of Asset Optimisation and Digital at Engie and, prior to that, was Director of Strategy and Communications.
Appointment to the Executive Committee:
He is a lecturer in Sustainable Energy at the Centre for Environmental Policy with ten years’ experience in energy R&D.
Contribution and experience
David holds a portfolio of Board appointments, including as Chair of International Alert and of the Joffe Trust. He also serves as a member of the Board (‘Council’) of Chatham House, and of the International Budget Partnership; is President of the Advisory Council of Transparency International UK; and is a member of the Ethical Investment Advisory Group of the Church of England.
David’s executive career included being the Chief Executive of The Elders, of WWF-UK, and of Transparency International. He was previously Finance Director and Deputy CEO of Oxfam, and CFO of Field Group plc. In a non-executive capacity, David has been Chair of Anthesis Group, Deputy Chair of the International Integrated Reporting Council, Deputy Chair of Shared Interest Society, a non-executive director of Low Carbon Accelerator Limited, and Chair of Traidcraft plc.
David is a chartered accountant, and has a Masters in Theology from both Cambridge and Edinburgh universities, and a Masters in Finance from London Business School.
David’s extensive experience in international development and environmental matters, in addition to his prior experience as CFO of a UK listed industrial company, is of significant value to Drax and contributes to the Board’s discussions and understanding of the perspectives of and engagement undertaken with stakeholders.
Appointment to the Board:
August 2017
Board Committees:
- Member of the Audit Committee
- Member of the Nomination Committee
External appointments:
- International Alert (Chair)
- Joffe Charitable Trust (Chair)
- Chatham House (Member of the Board)
- International Budget Partnership (Member of the Board)
- Ethical Investment Advisory Group of the Church of England (Member)
- Advisory Council of Transparency International UK (President)
Dorothy Thompson retired as Chief Executive, Drax Group on 31st December 2017 and was replaced by Will Gardiner.
Contribution and Experience
Philip’s responsibilities at Drax included Board composition and succession, Board governance and stakeholder engagement.
He was previously CEO of International Power plc, having formerly been CFO. Prior to this he held a senior operational position at Invensys plc and was CFO at Siebe plc. As a non-executive, he was previously Chair of Kier Group plc, the Senior Independent Director at Wm Morrison Supermarkets plc, Chair of Global Power Generation and a member of the boards of Talen Energy Corporation, PPL, Meggitt plc and Wincanton plc.
Philip is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants and has an MA from Cambridge University.
Philip is an experienced leader of large businesses, particularly in the energy sector. As Chair, Philip cultivated a culture of openness, transparency and honesty on the Board in which constructive debate and challenge occurs and all directors contribute fully. Philip has an in-depth knowledge of energy markets and the related regulation. He also has extensive experience in stakeholder engagement.
Appointment to the Board:
January 2015 – December 2023
Appointment as Chair:
April 2015 – December 2023
