The North East and Yorkshire Net Zero Hub has enhanced its strategic leadership and governance by welcoming two new members to our board.
The work of the Hub is overseen by an independently-chaired Board of representatives of each of our partner Combined Authorities and advisory members with specific technical and commercial expertise.
The Hub is pleased to announced Emma Bridge and Rachael Guest as new advisory members.
Emma and Rachael bring a fantastic mix of experience in community energy, finance and investment. Their expertise will add to the Board’s existing strengths and help guide the Hub as we continue supporting innovative projects and accelerating progress towards net zero across the region.
Emma Bridge – Partnerships Director, Centre for Energy Equality
With over 20 years in sustainable development and climate change, Emma brings extensive experience in local energy, partnerships, and project delivery. Throughout her career, she has worked closely with government, funders, regulators, and community organisations, across the public, private, and community sectors!
Emma currently leads work across local and central government, community energy and place-based partnerships. She is also the former Chief Executive of Community Energy England, where she played a pivotal role in accelerating the growth of community energy organisations across the country.
Emma’s passion for bringing people together, building strong partnerships, and championing practical approaches to net zero will be a huge asset to the Hub and the organisations we support.
Emma said, “I was keen to join the Board as I feel we are at a pivotal moment for net zero. There is such potential for net zero to bring income into local communities, build resilience at a local level, create local jobs, and to give greater power and agency to local people. We need to be working collaboratively to bring cross-sector and cross-political support for local energy.
“I see the Net Zero Hub as having a vital role in creating that support and ensuring that local energy brings additional benefits to the region’s communities and businesses. I am particularly looking forward to getting back involved in the region to help to facilitate more community-led energy and build strong partnerships with the public and private sectors.”
Rachael Guest – Relationship Director – Corporate Banking, HSBC
Rachael joins the Board with 20 years of experience in banking in the North East, managing mid-market clients across industrial, manufacturing, engineering and construction sectors. As a qualified Chartered Accountant, she has strong experience in financial analysis, forecasting, investment appraisal and funding risk.
Her recent work focuses on regional infrastructure, green energy, energy transition and climate tech, including helping to develop investable projects and opportunities alongside local stakeholders, ports, airports and early-stage businesses.
Rachael’s commercial insight and practical approach will bring valuable perspective to the Board, helping to ensure projects are not only ambitious but deliverable, affordable and ready to make a real difference.
Rachael said, “I was delighted to have the opportunity to join the NEY Net Zero Hub Board because it’s a practical way to help turn net zero ambition into deliverable projects that create real benefits for communities across the North-East and Yorkshire.
“With 20 years’ experience supporting mid-market businesses in the region, I’m looking forward to bringing a commercial and financial lens to help strengthen business cases, improve decision making and support a credible pipeline of investable projects. I’m also excited to work with partners across the region to help remove barriers to delivery and accelerate progress on the transition.”
Dr Debbie Trebilco, Chair of the North East and Yorkshire Net Zero Hub Board said,
“I am very pleased to welcome Emma and Rachael to the Hub Board.
“Emma has played a leading role in championing community energy as Chief Executive of Community Energy England, helping to establish the sector as an important contributor to clean energy and economic growth and shaping national policy. Her passion, leadership and lived experience will be invaluable as we continue to create jobs, generate clean energy and support thriving communities across our region.
“We are also thrilled to welcome Rachael, whose strong commercial and financial expertise will be a tremendous asset to the Board. A Chartered Accountant with 20 years’ banking experience in the North East, she brings deep knowledge of investment, infrastructure and the energy transition. Her insight and collaborative approach will help strengthen and scrutinise our projects and turn ambitious ideas into successful delivery.”
