Company Director - Richard Holmes MSc, MEI, MIEMA, C.Env. Low Carbon Consultant Current position: Director: Third Stone Ltd – Environmental Consultancy Set up in September 2004, the aim of the company is to provide energy and environmental consultancy. Specialising mainly, but not exclusively in the energy field. Previous Positions: Senior Environmental Consultant and Energy Officer - 1995 to 2005 Working within Leicester City Council's Environment Team and Energy Group, my work covered policy delivery on EMAS, Climate Change Strategy, Environment and Energy Strategy. The teams were responsible for the delivery of environmental practice within Leicester City Council and the broader community. The Energy Group was made up of Leicester City Council's Energy Management Team, The Leicester Energy Agency (LEA) and The Energy Saving Trust's Energy Efficiency Advice Centre (EEAC). The LEA was part of an EU network of 200 Agencies while the EEAC was a leading member of a UK network of over 50 centres. I played a key role in Leicester City Council obtaining Beacon Status for Energy and traveled all 12 regions of the UK running seminars to disseminate best practice in sustainable energy management to other public bodies. Within this group my work covered; Energy Management The corporate energy management of the council’s estate and practices. Including advanced Energy and Carbon Monitoring and Targeting techniques and Invest To Save building improvement programmes. Helping Leicester City Council live up to title of Britain’s First Environment City. Project Management Delivery of a wide range of projects at local, regional, national and international level for external organisations such as the Energy Saving Trust, Department of Trade and Industry and the European Commission. Working in partnership with other organisations to secure external finance. Advisory Service Provision of an energy advisory service to householders, business, public sector, local authorities, Non-Governmental Organisations and the voluntary sector. Communications and awareness raising Raising awareness to the local community, and beyond of the benefits of sustainable energy and the achievements of the local authority. I had articles printed in the local and national press, promoted work on regional television and had a regular slot on BBC radio. I also used the Internet, newsgroups and email listings. Specific Projects Corporate Work Beacon Status Co-wrote the bid which resulted in Leicester becoming the first City to achieve Beacon Status for Energy. Energy Display Project (www.display-campaign.org) This involved working with public bodies across the EU to determine a method of providing operational ratings (later to be termed Display Energy Certificates or DECs)to public buildings. As part of this work I produced preliminary operational ratings to Leicester City Council buildings in 2005 (in advance of the original deadline for the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive and Energy Performance Certificates in the UK). Leicester City Council Buildings Improvement Invest to Save improvements on buildings along with monitoring and targeting. Automatic Monitoring and Targeting (aM&T) Leicester was one of the first UK authorities to install half-hourly-metering on its properties. This utilised a radio transmission system called Databird. Carbon Trust's Local Authority Energy Management Programme Set up of zero interest revolving loan fund for energy improvements to local authority buildings. Cities for Climate Protection (CCP) Working with the Local Government’s Improvement and Development Agency (IDeA), with support from the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) and DEFRA. The project used computer software to assist in estimating greenhouse gas emissions in the local community and for the Local Authority itself. Leicester Environment Standard A local building standard which incorporates renewable energy and sustainable construction techniques into new and old developments. Leicester Climate Change Strategy Development of an strategy to mitigate the city’s contribution to Climate Change. Ashton Green Housing Development 3,000 home development. The development was intended to incorporate a high standard of environmental best practice in the construction. Aiming to be a Zero Energy Development (ZED). Leicester Better Buildings Project A web based tool aimed at encouraging greater uptake of environmental issues in construction by providing information and presenting the business case for sustainable construction to developers. Blue Print for Leicester Environmental Performance Indicators for Environment City’s Local Agenda 21 strategy. Fundraising Much of my work was externally funded. I have written many successful bids for financing from local, regional, national and international sources. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) I advised planning officers on the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of proposed developments. For example I assessed an EIA for a proposal to construct a power station. Working with other public sector Kettering Borough Council Sustainability Appraisal Helping the Borough begin the process of incorporating sustainable practices into planning. Enthuse Award winning project in communicating sustainable development and breaking down barriers in sustainable construction. Overview of issues affecting renewable energy and local authorities in UK. Including the development of case studies for renewable energy projects along with the development ‘Renewable Energy Matrix’. Delivered in all 12 regions of the UK. The project was awarded Energy Institute award for communication in 2004. Energy Saving Trust Regional Support and Development Officer Energy Saving Trust’s Regional representative. A co-ordinating role in East Midlands Region of England. European Union Local Authority Best Practice Project Dissemination of Local Authority best practice in sustainable development to five EU partner countries. Department of Trade & Industry Local Authority Case Studies Dissemination of best practice of renewable energy in Local Authorities. Working with Businesses SME Energy Advice Centre (SMEAC) Sustainable energy advice to businesses Energy User Cruiser Mobile exhibition and conference centre. Taking best practice advice to businesses. Part L assessments Working with local builders and architects to aid compliance with Part L of the Building Regulations. Working with Householders Energy Efficiency Advice Centre Promotion of energy efficiency advice and sale of sustainable products to the public through retail outlet and by mail. Eco-House Leicester’s environmental show home. Severn Trent Energy and Water Saving Project Monitoring project for consumption of energy in domestic sector via digital television Energy Rating of Dwellings Qualified as an Energy Assessor in 1995 and have carried out assessments on thousands of homes. Played a role in the development of energy rating with research at postgraduate level. Energy Vision Zero interest loan for energy saving improvements to homes. Affordable Warmth And Renewable Energy (AWARE) Promotion of renewable energy and energy efficiency to domestic sector. Solar Club UK wide project helping DIY enthusiasts install solar water heating. Solar Rental Scheme Provision of solar water heating with no capital outlay. Home Visits Pilot Project Providing energy efficiency advice in the home. Energy Efficiency Professionals Scheme Development of a network of environmental trades-people for improvements to homes. Fuel Poverty Index Development of a method of identifying and quantifying fuel poverty via energy rating. Played a part in the development of BREDEM Software. Green Electricity (Plug Into Green Electricity) Working with the utilities on green electricity projects including helping to draw up of Friends of the Earth’s ‘Green Energy League Table’. Promotion of green electricity tariffs. First promotional campaign leading up to the deregulation of the market. Energy Efficiency Centre Shop Sale of sustainable products to the public. Energy Efficiency Centre - Mail Order Sale of sustainable energy products to public by mail. City Challenge Urban Regeneration Programme £500,000 of environmental improvements to the domestic sector. Used Energy Rating of homes and businesses to ‘sell’ environmental improvement. Senior Citizens Project Promotion of grants and advice to Senior Citizens in Leicester City to improve environmental performance of home and reduce running costs and health of occupants. Solar Rental Scheme Provision of solar water heating with no capital outlay. Innovation Project Energy Saving Trust project. Market research to develop new techniques in communication of environmental messages. Energy Labelling Promotion and development of Energy Efficiency Recommended and EU Eco-Label. Working with the Community REALISE A communications project funded by the Energy Saving Trust to assess the use of various communication techniques to bring the environmental message to new audiences. Globeshare Promotion of environmental issues in the run up to the World Summit on Sustainable Development (Rio+10) This added an international element to Leicester’s achievements under Local Agenda 21. East Midlands Community Renewables Initiative I worked along side the team who delivered the Community Renewables Initiative for the East Midlands. This was one of the first CRIs to be up and running. Decision Makers of Tomorrow project Working with schools to encourage more environmental work in teaching and building operation. EU SOL EXHIBITION Delivery of an exhibition to promote renewable energy at a community level. Leicester Environment Partnership A local forum for discussion of environmental projects and development of partnership working as part of the Local Strategic Partnership. I sat on this panel of key city decision makers. Energy Co-operative Development Feasibility study into development of Energy Services Co-operative Company to deliver sustainable energy services. European Social Fund - Energy Efficiency Training Working with Economic Development Unit. Training local people in sustainability. Consequently many individuals went on to secure employment in the environmental sector. Partnership working Many of the above projects involved developing partnerships with other bodies in order to secure finance and deliver project outcomes. Other previous positions Campaigner - Leicester Friends of the Earth 1996-1998 Concentrated on the wider, international issues involved with Climate Change and helped to draw up Friends of the Earth’s Green League table for electricity tariffs while promoting issues around climate change. I was also a founder member of STePS (Stop The Power Station) which successfully prevented the construction of a major power station near a local village by raising awareness of the issues and focusing public opinion. Community and Economic Development volunteer - Leicester City Council 1994 Developed and delivered environmental training courses for the unemployed in order to improve their knowledge of environmental issues and create jobs in the environmental sector. Following this a successful community based building company was formed which continues to promote sustainable building practices from design through to use and eventual re-use. Energy Efficiency Volunteer - Environ 1994 I worked in environmental awareness raising projects within the local community. Concentrating mainly on energy efficiency as well as other aspects of eco-efficiency in the home and at work. While at Environ I visited a colleague working on a biodiversity project in Ecuador which in part lead to the formation of the Leicestershire Rainforest Reserve. Research Assistant - Leicester University 1992 -1994 This primarily involved research into appropriate technologies in Less Developed Countries and specifically Malawi. This research explored various technical aspects of sustainable development in less developed countries with emphasis on appropriate technology transfer. EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS 2009 CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme CIBSE Training in the application of the CRC scheme 2009 16001 Certification BSI. Associate Consultant (British Standards) Training to help organisations achieve BS EN 16001:2009, Energy Management Systems standard 2008 Code for Sustainable Homes Assessor BRE Allows dwellings to be assessed against CfSH 2008 Low Carbon Energy Assessor – Display Energy Certificates (DEC) CIBSE Allows the issue of DECs 2008 Low Carbon Energy Assessor – Energy Performance Certificates 3 & 4 (EPC) CIBSE Allows the issue of EPCs on non-domestic buildings 2008 Low Carbon Consultant - compliance with Building Regulations and EPBD CIBSE Allows the issue of EPCs and Part L Compliance reports on non-dwellings 2008 Display Energy Certificate training CIBSE 2008 Energy Performance Certificate training for iSBEM BRE 2008 Elmhurst Energy Performance Certificate Training Allows the issue of EPCs and Part L Compliance reports on non-dwellings 2006 Low Carbon Consultant Design (New Build) CIBSE Membership of CIBSE register 2006 Low Carbon Consultant Operation (existing buildings) CIBSE Membership of CIBSE register 2006 ISBEM Training Part L Compliance and BRE Software training 2006 Elmhurst Energy Assessor – Part L Competent Person Allows the issue of Part L Compliance reports on dwellings 2000 Chartered Institute of Marketing – Certificate in Marketing Marketing Course –communication of environmental message 2000 Countrywide Porter Novelli, Media Training Professional training programme - dealing with all forms of media, including printed press, radio and television 1999 Marketing - Certificate Issued as part of continuous in-house training for marketing work to help attract resources and help promote sustainable practices to a wider audience. 1998 M.Sc Energy and Sustainable Development Based in DeMontfort University’s School of the Built Environment this course covered modules in; Eco-design, Planning, Renewable Energy Technology, Renewable Energy in the Built Environment, Computer modelling, Environmental Management including EMAS, BS7750, ISO14001, Transport, Waste Management, Environmental Economics, Law and Politics, Environmental communication skills. My thesis covered the use of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) in Energy Labelling and Energy Rating of Buildings). I carried out a comparative study of energy use in Cuba and the UK and between Havana and Leicester in particular. I studied full time for this degree while working full time. 1997 Energy Saving Trust’s Energy Efficiency Professionals Trainer Course which helped in the training of building professionals to incorporate environmental best practice into their day to day work. 1996 Leicester Energy Agency’s - Energy Efficiency in Businesses Course Training course aimed at improving the environmental performance of businesses. 1996 DeMontfort University; Renewable Energy Training Course First of its kind to be taught over the www and included stu-dents from around the world. The course was of a technical nature concentrated on renewable technologies. 1996 DeMontfort University; Energy Saving Opportunities in Business Course 1996 Open University; Renewable Energy Module All aspects of alternative energy use. Explored the technicalities of en-ergy generation as well as the practicalities of developing, financing and delivering projects. 1994 National Energy Foundation; NHER Surveyor/Assessor Energy rating of Buildings to BSI Standard Institute recognised reports on environmental performance. 1994 Neighbourhood Energy Action; City & Guilds in Energy Awareness Dealt with energy issues in the home and allowed me to give advice and train others to do likewise. 1992/93 Postgraduate Certificate in Environmental Engineering Explored various appropriate technologies. 1989-92 B.Sc. (Hons); Science and the Environ-ment (2ii); DeMontFort University; 1988-1989 DeMontFort University; B.Sc. (Hons); Building Surveying CONTINUED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT 2010 Lighting Masterclass CIBSE 2010 Part L seminar CIBSE 2010 Lighting Seminar CIBSE 2010 Part L CPD CIBSE 2010 Elmhurst Part L Update 2010 Stroma Feed In Tariffs CPD 2010 BRE Part L 2010 2009 EPCs and DECs CIBSE 2009 Energy Assessment ECMK 2009 Energy Efficiency Scheme ESTA 2009 Part L & DEC Revisions ESTA 2009 EPC & DEC update seminar CIBSE 2009 Advanced Level 4 Commercial Energy Assessors BRE 2008 Display Energy Certificates Training CIBSE PUBLICATIONS/PAPERS European Commission ALTENER programme, Renewable Energy Case Studies and Renewable Energy Matrix, 2003 Department of Trade & Industry, Case Studies on renewable energy in Local Government, 2000 International Conference on Science and Technology, University of Strathclyde, 1993 Paper on appropriate technologies for developing countries. First International Environmental Engineering Conference, DeMontfort Univer-sity, 1993 Paper on appropriate technologies for developing countries. Have contributed to various other publications. For example the East Midlands Regional Energy Strategy and the Leicester Climate Change Strategy. MEMBERSHIP OF PROFESSIONAL BODIES OR OTHER ORGANISATIONS C.Env Chartered Environmentalist MEI Full Member of the Institute of Energy MIEMA Full Member of Institute of Environmental Management & Assessment CIBSE Association for Environment Conscious Buildings Federation of Small Businesses Interest in Sustainable Energy outside work I have held membership of several organisations such as the Alternative Technology Association (ATA), Network for Alternative Technology and Technology Assessment (NATTA) and World Wildlife Fund for Nature, I read journals such as Energy World, The Environmentalist Ecologist, Nature, New Scientist, Green Futures, Green Building Magazine, BBC Wildlife and New Internationalist as well as other printed press, radio, television and electronic media. I have travelled widely in Europe, North America, South America, Cuba, Northern Africa, Southern Africa and South East Asia where I have visited various environmental and development projects. Away from work I enjoy spending time with my family, travelling, windsurfing and scuba diving and have even tried my hand at stand up comedy (Edinburgh Festival 1996 and 2004)