who we are

Windpower Wales is a locally owned company based in Llangernyw in North Wales, dedicated to the development of clean, renewable energy projects in Wales. We have a long term commitment to helping Wales to establish a secure and sustainable energy supply, which will help meet our energy needs and environmental responsibilities, attract jobs and investment to our local communities and play an important part in the regeneration of our Welsh economy.

Established in 2004 as a public limited company, we are owned and run by local people and many of our shareholders are farmers and local business people based in North Wales. Acting with community support is very important to us and our unique structure means that local people have a say in the company, our projects and a stake in the benefits of projects located in their area.

Through our work we are proud to invest back into the community, by supporting cultural events including the National Eisteddfod and Llangollen Festival, as well as supporting vital services such as the Air Ambulance and youth organisations such as the Urdd.

In 2008 Windpower Wales, in partnership with Brenig Wind Ltd, successfully gained planning permission for a sixteen turbine 40MW capacity wind farm to the East of Llyn Brenig and construction on this project will start in 2012. We are currently awaiting planning permission on our first major independent onshore wind project at Llys Dymper and hope to bring forward a portfolio of Welsh wind projects in the future through to consent, construction and operation.

The Board members of Windpower Wales have strong expertise in the fields of technology, management, marketing and financial control. All the directors are committed personally to the local communities, to producing a long term supply of renewable energy in Wales and to protecting the environment for future generations.

our vision

Our vision is to see Wales secure a sustainable energy supply for the future and in the process ensure that the local community and the local economy can enjoy the benefits of ownership of clean energy generation.

Windpower Wales believes that climate change is the most serious environmental challenge ever to face our planet and we need urgent action to decarbonise our electricity sector, which is the biggest contributor to this problem.

We are pleased that the UK has announced ambitious targets to reduce carbon emissions to 50% of 1990 levels by 2025 and 80% by 2050. In Wales we have a legal duty to consider sustainability in everything we do and we must play our part in helping to reach these targets, through securing a sustainable supply of clean, renewable energy sources to reduce our dependency on fossil fuels.

Windpower Wales is keen to help the Welsh Assembly Government to achieve these ambitious targets. Our objective is to develop and construct over 250MW of wind farms in Wales by 2020 and in the process share the proceeds from this development with local communities, for the benefit of the Welsh economy, whilst at the same time delivering world-wide benefits by contributing to efforts to combat the effects of climate change.

what are our promises?

a commitment to the community

Windpower Wales will help to meet the challenge of combating global climate change whilst at the same time creating new opportunities and investing back in our local communities.

We will develop the venture as a locally owned enterprise, providing local people with an opportunity to invest and giving people a say in projects in their area. Local people will be at the heart of our decision making and we will strive to always act in the best interests of the community.

Through our work, we will distribute the proceeds of our wind energy developments annually into a fund to support our host area. We will pay an ongoing rental income to farmers and landowners and create a long term sustainable economy for rural Wales.

a commitment to the environment

Windpower Wales will act in an ethical manner, respecting the environment, the countryside and the communities in which we serve. We will develop renewable energy sources in ways that are in keeping with local landscapes and the communities that live there.

Through both production and supply we aim to provide clean energy from our own sustainable sources. This will help Wales to reach its renewable energy targets, reduce harmful greenhouse gases and protect our local and global environment for the generations ahead.

a commitment to sustainability

Windpower Wales will adhere to the key principles of acting for the benefit of our environment, our economy, society, culture and heritage of Wales. Where our decisions reflect these principles, we can be confident that our actions will help to build a sustainable future for Welsh communities.

As a company we will work to reduce the carbon footprint of our everyday activities and in everything we do as a business. We will work with others to find creative, environmentally-friendly solutions to create a more sustainable business environment.

our people

Professor Brian Morgan

Chairman

“I have always had a keen interest in promoting economic development in Wales. Becoming Chairman of Windpower Wales has offered me the opportunity to pursue my interest in economics while at the same time helping to create a successful renewable energy company that is focused on developing sustainable solutions for the Welsh economy.”
Brian Morgan is currently Professor of Entrepreneurship at the University of Wales in Cardiff (UWIC) and Director of its Creative Leadership and Enterprise Centre (CLEC).

Before returning to academia at Cardiff Business School in 1997, Brian was Chief Economist at the Welsh Development Agency (WDA). Prior to this he worked as a senior policy adviser in Whitehall (the DTI) and has worked extensively in Europe (for the OECD and EU).

Brian is a founder member of the RE-generation Partnership; making renewable energy work for local businesses and communities in Wales.

Directorships

  • Chairman, Spadel UK Ltd a subsidiary of the Spa multinational group (producer of the best selling natural mineral water Brecon Carreg)
  • Chairman, Comcen Ltd, an Information Technology company
  • Director, Windpower Wales (developing a new 100 MW windfarm, producing renewable energy to combat climate change and grounded in the local community)
  • Director, SevernLink Ferries (providing new fast ferry services between Ifracombe, Swansea, Minehead and Cardiff)
  • Director and Founder, Welsh Whisky Company Limited (distiller of Penderyn Single Malt - the first single malt whisky to be produced in Wales)
  • Member of the Stakeholder Board of Glas Cymru: a not-for-profit, debt-funded company whose successful £1.8 billion purchase of Welsh Water in 2000 has been held up as a potential model for other sectors

Recent Publications

  • Growth and Profitability of Small and Medium Size Enterprises: Some Evidence Vol.39 Regional Studies (2005)
  • Sweden: Fostering Regional Competitiveness through Partnership in New Forms of Governance for Economic Development OECD (2004)
  • Plus numerous popular articles in the Western Mail, IWA’s Agenda etc

Eryl Vaughan

Managing Director

“Throughout my working life, I have been committed to innovation and developing businesses that also contribute to the general good. Renewable energy generation is one of the great challenges of our age, but also one of the great opportunities for communities like ours.”
As Managing Director of Windpower Wales, Eryl Vaughan is responsible for the day-to-day running of the company. An innovative entrepreneur, he successfully combines his personal environmental convictions with building a business in the challenging field of sustainable energy generation, which will help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build a stronger economy for Wales. A local man, who lives and works in the area where he was brought up.

Directorships

  • Windpower Wales Group PLC - Managing Director
  • Windpower (Wales) Ltd - Managing Director
  • The Energy Company Ltd - (past)
  • Communications Solutions Ltd (past)

Awards

  • Arts & Business Award 2009 - Best Small Business
  • Daily Post - Businessman of the Month - October 2000

Key Achievements

  • Co-founding Director and Shareholder of Windpower Wales Ltd
  • Founder and developer of several successful businesses
  • Negotiated the acquisition and merger of several businesses

Key Skills

  • Strategic commercial development and negotiation
  • Extensive knowledge of the people and country of Wales
  • People management (Wales, UK and abroad)
  • Funding acquisition and financial management

John Munnery

Vice-Chairman

“I’m delighted to be able to use my experience of finance and the wind energy industry to support a company that is committed to the environment and to benefiting its local communities. Enterprise at its best.”
John is an experienced senior banker with an exemplary record in management in business and finance. Having risen through the ranks of Natwest Bank to the position of Chief Corporate Manager, John then joined the main board of Clarke Energy Group as Group Communications Director and went on to establish their Wind Energy Division. After formal retirement in 2004, John joined Windpower Wales as a director to further his interest in renewable energy and to make use of his considerable business, financial and management experience in this field.

Directorships

  • Clarke Energy Ltd (prior to retirement)
  • Other Associations
  • Captain Hale Golf Club, Cheshire

Qualifications, Training and Development

  • Fellow of Chartered Institute of Bankers
  • Fellow of Royal Society of Art Manufacturers and Science

Key Achievements

  • Main Board Appointment Clarke Energy Group
  • Head of Corporate Office, National Westminster Bank St Helens Merseyside
  • Chief Manager National Westminster Bank St Helens network of 7 branches and 250 staff
  • Various Non Exec Board appointments in TEC's, Seedcorn Funding and Community companies

Vincent Kane OBE

Director

“I’m delighted to be able to use my experience of finance and the wind energy industry to support a company that is committed to the environment and to benefiting its local communities. Enterprise at its best.”
In Wales we should be committed to the highest standards of design, management and financial control. Having travelled the world studying examples of best quality in action, I am delighted to lead a highly-professional company that will be of benefit to its local communities and to Wales as a whole.

A renowned current affairs broadcaster and a journalist for 37 years. Vincent was awarded an OBE for services to broadcasting (1988) and an Honorary Degree (MA) by the University of Wales (1992), as well as a BAFTA award for a lifetime achievement in television (1998). Retired from broadcasting in 1999.

Vincent Kane’s association with quality began in 1982 when he was invited by the DTI to front and present the UK National Quality Campaign and during the 1980s and early 1990s he chaired more than 150 seminars around the UK as part of that campaign and its successors. Vincent joined a British Trade Mission to the Central Pacific Basin, chiefly Japan and West Coast America, to see best practice quality in action (1983) and in 1988 he launched the Wales Quality Centre. As founder, Vincent Kane OBE is still Executive Chairman of the WQC.

Awards

  • Honorary Fellow of the Institute of Quality Assurance 2000
  • Lifetime Achievement Award, BAFTA 1998
  • Honorary Masters Degree, Contribution to Welsh Broadcasting, University of Wales 1994
  • OBE - Services to broadcasting 1988
  • Winner - Observer Mace (Debating Trophy) Individual Speaker Award 1961
  • Winner - Observer Mace (Debating Trophy) and Individual Speaker Award 1960

Key Achievements

  • Launch of Wales Quality Centre 1988
  • Delivered the Loxton Memorial Lecture to the IQA (Institute of Quality Assurance) 1996
  • President Students Union at University of Wales, Cardiff 1961-1962
  • National Service Welch Regiment 2nd Lieutenant

Directorships

  • Wales Quality Centre - President, Founder, and Chairman
  • University of Wales, Cardiff - Vice President

Other National Associations

  • The Humanitas Prize (Artes Mundi)
  • The Cardiff Initiative - Chair
  • International Festival of Musical Theatre - Chair

Robin Crossley

Director

“The resources of the world cannot continue to support the ever increasing population and standards of living. Renewables have to provide the answer, otherwise the effects of climate change will become increasingly obvious.”
A landholder in North Wales, from a second generation North Wales farming family. Robin is well known for his commitment to conservation, especially wetlands. He has held a strong interest in sustainable development and renewable power generation for over 40 years, supporting other local landowners and tenants to realise the potential of their land and situation.

Directorships

  • Crossley Hendre Ltd - Managing Director
  • Crossley Sporting Ltd - Secretary, Director
  • Traders Wales Inc (property, USA) - Director

Awards

  • Winner - Silver Lapwing, North Wales 2001 (Conservation Award)
  • BASC Conservation Award 2009 – National Winner

Other National Associations

  • Farmers Union
  • British Association of Shooting and Conservation
  • Country Landowner's Association
  • Young Farmers Union (past member)

Key Skills

  • Strategic commercial development
  • People management and development
  • Project management
  • Financial management
  • Practical skills such as engineering, plumbing, welding, electrical, animal husbandry etc

Key Achievements

  • Established a well known pedigree Holstein herd
  • Hang-glider pilot for 5 years during the sport's inception
  • Sailed the eastern seaboard of America, from the Caribbean to Lake Huron
  • Sailed from Mauritius to Australia via the Southern Ocean
  • Colwyn Bay Rugby Club - longest serving player, from age 15 to 45
  • North Wales Rugby Club - player from age 17 to 36
  • Captain of Athletics at Harper Adams College

John Gardener

Finance Director

“Through Windpower Wales, I can combine my personal interest in the environment and the land with my professional expertise in developing businesses. By creating a successful, professional company we can contribute to the local economy and to the global battle against climate change.”
John is a partner in Gardner-Salisbury Chartered Accountants based in North Wales. The firm has a successful record of working closely with its clients helping them to develop their businesses. John is regularly involved with clients in business expansion plans and the acquisition and disposal of businesses. He first started his working life in farming but decided on a career in accountancy and joined a City based firm of Chartered Accountants which held a portfolio of agricultural estates throughout the UK. After a period of time with Price Waterhouse, John returned to North Wales to family farming interests and to start an accountancy practice.

Directorships

  • Gardner Corporate Services Limited
  • Gardner Investment Consultants Limited
  • Howell's 2000 Limited
  • Altitude Ecole de Ski et Snowboard Sarl

Qualifications

  • 1982 Dixon Wilson, Chartered Accountants, City of London Articles (FCA)
  • 1978 Seale-Hayne Agricultural College, Devon Diploma in Management Studies
  • 1977 Seale-Hayne Agricultural College, Devon; HND Agriculture

Key Achievements

  • Establishing and developing Gardner Salisbury and Co into a successful three partner firm with clients throughout North Wales and Cheshire
  • Successful involvement with Howell's School - bought out 7 years ago when facing closure, now financially secure and listed in The Times Top 100 Private Schools 2003
  • Establishing Altitude Ecole de Ski et Snowboard, a ski school in Switzerland now in its third season, over 50 instructors employed
  • President of the Students Union, Seale-Hayne (1977)

Awards

  • Chair and Governor of Trustees of Howell's School, Denbigh
  • Consultant to BIC (Eryri)
  • Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants

Dafydd Wynne Finch

Director

“I know how vital sustainable development is, for the sake of my children and the generations to come. Renewable wind power can also offer vital support for the agricultural community in North Wales at a time of increasing hardship.”
Dafydd represents one of North Wales’ best-known farming families. Having a young family, he is keen to see the company achieve its potential in producing real sustainability in economic, social, as well as environmental terms.

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