The Net Zero Hub is governed by its Board, which is made up of representatives of each of the Hub’s partner Combined Authorities and LEPs and is Chaired by Tees Valley Combined Authority as the host authority. There is also representation from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero as the Hub’s funder. The Board meets every two months to oversee Hub delivery, agree strategic priorities and make decisions on resource allocations.
Chris is the Clean Growth and Innovation Manager at Tees Valley Combined Authority, leading on Tees Valley’s support for the industrial cluster, decarbonisation, clean energy, housing retrofit, and innovation. He has had a varied career covering mechanical engineering in the renewable energy and automation sectors, software, communications, and public policy.
He was most recently an advisor to the Tees Valley Mayor. In this role he led on the development of the Tees Valley’s Freeport policy, and led the region’s bid to create the UK’s first and largest Freeport.
Chris chairs the North East and Yorkshire Net Zero Hub board, working with the Hub Manager and team on a daily basis.
Katie is the Senior Strategy Manager for Low Carbon and Environment at the York and North Yorkshire LEP. This includes leading on the thematic areas energy decarbonisation, moving towards a circular economy and enhancing natural capital. Katie’s recent work includes leading the development of York and North Yorkshire’s Routemap to Carbon Negative, and she has previously led the development of the sub-region’s Local Energy Strategy and Circular Economy Strategy.
Previous experience includes leading the ambitious circular economy programme in Peterborough, which aspired to create the UK’s first circular city.
Katie represents the York and North Yorkshire LEP on the Net Zero Hub board.
Richard is the Net Zero Project Director for the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority. Richard leads the sustainability team working on the development and delivery of programmes to reduce emissions and deliver co-benefits for the region across Transport, Housing, Industry and Commercial Sectors, and the Natural environment.
He is an energy and carbon specialist with a background in mechanical engineering, and extensive experience in the private and public sectors delivering energy and carbon reduction projects and roadmaps.
Richard’s core skills comprise leading change programmes and the identification and implementation of large-scale energy, water and carbon reduction projects, and has provided energy efficiency, cost and carbon reduction consultancy services to a variety of blue-chip clients across Europe.
Teresa Chalmers is the Chief Operating Officer of the LEP, being the LEP’s senior officer, and reporting to the HEY LEP Board. Teresa’s responsibilities include the delivery of the LEP’s long term strategic direction for economic growth of the region, the planning and development of strategic partnerships based on the insight of changing economic and policy environments and the overall leadership of the LEP team.
Prior to working at the Humber LEP as Exec. Director of Employment and Skills for seven years, Teresa had over 25 years working in education, training and business environments.