David joined as Executive Director in May 2022, from humanitarian charity Article 25, where he was Managing Director. He has over 17 years of experience in the charity sector, and has championed active urban travel infrastructure and conservation.

Maxine Frerk has wide regulatory experience including 15 years in Ofgem in senior roles. She also holds a position as non-executive director for Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN)

Dr Martin Hurst was a senior civil servant on environmental issues for 20 years, including as Water Director in government and Environment Advisor in Number 10, and is by background a professional economist.

Clare worked on the Fair Transition project, focussing on stakeholder and citizen engagement. She led the Together for a Fair Climate Future programme developing creative and collaborative responses to the climate crisis and social justice issues. She is also a fine artist and curator.

Zoe McLeod is an Associate, with consumer policy and regulatory expertise. She has a particular focus on energy, water, innovation and consumer vulnerability and engagement issues.

Martin focuses on the future of regulation, innovation, and infrastructure. He is an expert in digital and business model innovation, aligning investor and customer interests. A former Senior Partner at Ofgem, he led horizon scanning, sustainability, and the Innovation Link, Chief Economist’s office, and Enforcement functions.

Judith Ward has worked with Sustainability First since 2005 and is a former director. She is an energy policy professional with long-standing practical experience of both the utility and consumer worlds.

George Day is a senior policy and regulatory economist in water, energy, environment and agriculture. He was a senior Ofwat director and is a senior advisor on Net Zero at Energy Systems Catapult.

Sophie Grinnell joined in 2022 as our Research Officer. She has a strong research and academic background with degrees in Environmental Engineering and Water, Energy and the Environment. Her doctorate (2019) examined the social impacts of hydraulic fracturing on communities. She is also a part-time associate lecturer at Cardiff Met University.

William has over 20 years of experience in research, commissioning research and advocacy on the topics of fuel poverty, fair transition to net zero and energy advice. He has worked for Energy Systems Catapult, Citizens Advice, Consumer Focus and the Centre for Sustainable Energy. He is also a trustee of the Fuel Poverty Research Network.

David is Director of Ferns Natural Capital Strategy, working to transform UK water systems for sustainable and resilient rivers and coasts. With 40 years of experience, including 12 years as Environment & Strategy Director at Wessex Water, he pioneered catchment management and multi-agency approaches to river health. He also founded EnTrade and supported initiatives including Albion Water and Water2business. As a Water Environment Policy Advisor, David has influenced key reforms, including the Water Industry National Environment Programme (WINEP).