[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Osney Lock Hydro Directors bring together a wealth of skills and experience in the sectors of social enterprise, energy, engineering and fundraising. They share a commitment to creating a project that delivers social, environmental and financial benefits to the community for decades to come. Board members donate their time to carry out their board duties in managing Osney Lock Hydro and do not claim expenses.

Ali Lloyd

Ali has worked in the UK energy industry for over 20 years in a variety of commercial management roles. He currently works for an economic consultancy based in Oxford, providing commercial advice to large renewable energy projects, and is a Director of West Oxford Community Renewables Ltd. Ali has a detailed knowledge of electricity market policy and regulations, particularly in relation to renewable energy. In a previous role he was responsible for managing commercial aspects of a large renewable power station. Ali holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Mechanical Engineering. He lives on Osney Island with his wife and two children, and was involved in the Osney Island residents group which initially developed the idea for a hydro scheme at Osney Lock.

Dr Barbara Hammond

Barbara has worked as an academic focused on sustainable development and as a civil servant running the UK renewable energy programmes, during which time she set up the first capital grants programmes to support renewable energy technologies. She worked for Sir David King during his time as former Government Chief Scientific Advisor, to help influence international partners on climate change in the run up to the UK presidency of the G8 and the EU in 2005. She also worked closely with Sir David King and Sir Nicholas Stern on the Africa Commission report, with particular regard to the role of science and innovation in the development of the African nations.  She went on from there to work as Low Carbon Economy Director at SEEDA and returned to Oxford to work in 2010.   Barbara is now Chief Executive of the Low Carbon Hub, Director of Low Carbon Oxford, and Chair of West Oxford Community Renewables Ltd. Barbara has a degree in Modern Languages, a Doctorate in Sustainable Urban Design, and is qualified as a landscape architect and urban designer.

Ruth Finar

Ruth is a graduate in Economics and Sociology and has a masters in Information Management. She has worked as an information scientist, a computer systems and business analyst in the private and public sectors, has been a partner in an information management consultancy, and was Research & Planning Manager and a project consultant for social services and community care departments. Ruth has a Diploma in Gestalt Psychotherapy, is a UKCP-registered psychotherapist, and currently works as a self-employed psychotherapist and supervisor in private practice. She is particularly interested in the psychology of responses to environmental issues, and has trained with Joanna Macy. She was a member of the Ecopsychology Group of PCSR – Psychotherapists and Counsellors for Social Responsibility. Ruth has lived in West Oxford for 10 years, was a founder member of West Oxford Waste-Watchers, a founding Trustee and Treasurer of Low Carbon West Oxford, and is a Director of West Oxford Community Renewables Ltd.

Saskya Huggins

Saskya has over 20 years’ experience in the voluntary sector and has worked with a wide range of organisations, from entirely volunteer-run initiatives to national and global charities such as Comic Relief, UNICEF and Oxfam. During this time, Saskya has been involved in strategy development, fundraising, multi-agency collaborative projects and corporate social responsibility. She now works primarily in the field of sustainability. Her voluntary work has included running Low Carbon West Oxford’s Low Carbon Living Programme – encouraging people to take practical action to make significant, sustained cuts to their carbon footprint. Saskya is also a Director of West Oxford Community Renewables Ltd. She is a member of the Institute of Fundraisers, holds a Natural Sciences degree, a certificate in voluntary sector management, and in 2011 studied Social Marketing at the Open University. Saskya lives in West Oxford with her husband and two children.

Paul Spencer

Paul has worked in the renewable energy and environmental sector for over a decade. He currently works for a local public sector organisation, coordinating its carbon and energy management plan which includes implementing and developing low carbon and renewable energy projects. Paul previously launched and for six years ran a successful international renewable energy magazine, during which time he became convinced of the massive contribution that renewables can make to the global energy mix. He holds a Science PhD and professional qualifications in energy assessment and energy management. Paul lived on Osney Island for three years from 2000, and was a founding member of the residents group that began looking at ways to channel water power from Osney Lock weir to generate clean electricity. He currently lives in Woodstock with his wife and three young children

Alexander Vervuurt

Alexander has been living in Oxford since 2013, initially arriving to study mathematics.
For the past couple of years, he has been working as a researcher at a
local finance company. Alexander has long had a strong interest in energy, and is eager to get involved in a project that has a positive impact on the climate and the community. He hopes to bring a new perspective to
WOCoRe and Osney Lock Hydro, and is excited to help take these projects further.

Alexander holds a PhD in mathematics from the University of Oxford, degrees in mathematics and physics, and lives in Mill Street, West Oxford with his fiancée. He is a keen cyclist.