Directors
Project Managers
Home Energy Advisors
Sonya Bedford MBE
Sonya headed up a large and experienced team of renewable energy lawyers at Stephens Scown LLP in Exeter. Dealing with grid, infrastructure, policy, Ofgem, licensing and supply issues as well as EPC and O&M contracts. What sets Sonya apart from other lawyers is her experience, commitment and passion for renewables. She is nationally renowned for her renewable energy experience having worked in the sustainability sector for over 10 years as a lawyer and has MSc in renewable energy and was recognised in the Queens Birthday Honours List in 2018.
Her recent experience includes:
- advising on Ofgem accreditations for over 20 solar parks and 5 wind sites
- project managing a number of anaerobic digestion sites
- acting for over 20 community energy groups – from set up/funding/site acquisition to development and subsequent generation
- investment of over £30,000,000 into renewable energy sites
- establishing the UK’s first grid consortium and grid sharing agreements for communities
Sonya is a true expert and is truly immersed in renewable energy giving her time as a
- non executive director of Regen SW
- director of Exeter Community Energy
- on the committee for the South West branch of the Energy Institute
- board member for the Sustainable Institute
- Legal Advisor for Avalon Community Energy
In her spare time she sings with a band and goes wind turbine spotting!
Recommended Lawyer – Legal 500. Legal 500 is an independent guide to the legal profession who recognises top lawyers. Sonya is “very practical”.
Chambers 2016 – ranked as an “up and coming” lawyer. Clients say “she is very approachable, has good knowledge and we are able to establish a really thorough working relationship.”
Teresa Godfrey
With a degree in Natural Sciences, a Masters in Environmental Management, her strong concern for climate change and interest in sustainability, she was delighted to start working with SDCE in September 2020. Teresa has a passion for communicating the science and importance of taking action on climate change to her local community and so she jointly took on the management of Net Zero Heroes with Kara Ord.
Since then Teresa has taken on further project management work, including being responsible for community engagement for a potential community wind project.
In addition to her work with SDCE, Teresa is an Environmental Consultant in AECOM’s Environment and Planning team. Her role coordinating and delivering Environmental Impact Assessments has been predominately within the energy sector. Project experience has included marine cables, wind farms and solar farms.
Teresa has lived in the South Hams the majority of her life, and now with her husband and three young children. She is very fortunate that most of her extended family live locally so she spends her spare time enjoying the water, beaches and coastlines of South Devon with them.
Crystal Moore
Crystal describes herself as a climate resilience activist.
Always fascinated by the environment and people, she has more than 2 decades experience in the environmental sector. Experiences include risk, incident and crisis management, infrastructure development, change implementation, environmental impact and operations leadership gained in the private, charitable and public sectors.
Interested in using innovation to promote wider understanding and achieve better environmental outcomes, Crystal has led on award winning website projects for the Environment Agency and across government. A passionate advocate of collaboration, she sponsors digital innovation in flood forecasting and leads the better communication of science across government on behalf of our Government Chief Scientific Advisor, Sir Patrick Vallance.
Crystal has a first degree in Environmental Pollution Science and a PhD in Environmental Toxicology from the University of Exeter. A PRINCEII Practitioner and Lead Environmental Auditor she is a Fellow of IEMA, a Chartered Environmentalist and holds a Diploma in Company Direction from the Institute of Directors.
Outside of work she enjoys making the most of our beautiful environment, most forms of exercise – particularly if done outside and listening to live music.
Mark Wray
Mark is a Chartered Civil Engineer and specialist in developing and commercialising innovative products and services across a range of sectors, especially around transitioning to net zero carbon and clean growth in the UK and international markets. In recent years Mark has been focusing on working with the defence, energy, maritime and non-road elements of transport as they face challenges of decarbonising and adopting new technologies around digitisation and autonomy.
This builds on his former roles as Regional Manager (South West) and Innovation Lead for the Built Environment after migrating from the world of sustainable development and regeneration as a Programme Manager. Prior to joining the public sector he worked as a projects manager for design consultants and civil engineering contractors predominantly in the water, power and infrastructure sectors.
He is a keen and enthusiastic leader who has kept a balanced approach to his professional development with specialist cutting edge experience in innovation, decarbonisation, industrialisation, sustainability, complex systems, programme and project management.
Nicky Puttick
Nicky is the project manager for SDCE’s Energy Advice work, and also oversees our finances and communications.
Nicky has spent the majority of her working life at small non-profit organisations, and over the years has been involved with all sorts of tasks; from bid-writing, marketing and comms, book-keeping and accounts, research and evaluation, copywriting, supporting boards of trustees, to managing complex projects!
Most of her previous work has been focussed on connecting disadvantaged groups with nature, exploring the numerous health and wellbeing benefits this offers, and seeking to spark positive change in the ways we interact with the natural world.
This included research for the Woodland Trust as part of Plymouth University’s ‘Good from Woods’ project – exploring the wellbeing impacts of tree-planting.
She’s excited to be helping SDCE at this crucial time, given the current energy affordability crisis and ecological emergency.
Chris Bunce
Chris has worked in the construction industry extensively since graduating as a Building Surveyor from Thames Polytechnic in London in the 80’s. Having become a Chartered Building Surveyor after this his career has seen him involved in the development and management of many types of property from domestic to commercial. Whether involved in the design, project management or development of new build schemes or the day to day management of existing properties, Chris has been enthusiastic in achieving the best possible solutions.
Prior to his recent retirement Chris was the Director of Estates & Learning Facilities at the University of Plymouth with responsibility for the operational management of the University Estate including Energy & Utilities. This required the identification and implementation of innovative and cost effective solutions across a diverse estate with many types of building.
Chris cares passionately about the natural world and has a strong desire to help homes and businesses understand what they can do to make things better for themselves and the wider environment.
He has lived in the South Hams with his family since 1988 and enjoys making the most of its wonderful outdoor opportunities from walking on the Moor to paddleboarding on the sea.
Mark Skinner
Before joining SDCE as a Home Energy Advisor, Mark spent 39 years working in sales and distribution covering markets including composites, plastics and engineering. Much of this time was spent running distribution branches within the various businesses with a strong involvement with customer service, which gave him lots of experience in getting out and about and talking to members of the public.
Having a passion for reducing our carbon footprint, Mark is keen to help households in the South Hams to reduce their energy usage, explore new technologies and make heating systems as cost effective as possible. He is currently studying for a Level 4 certificate in Decarbonising Homes and on his way to becoming a Domestic Energy Assessor.
Mark has lived in the South Hams since 1997 but spent his younger years across the border in Saltash. As an active watersports enthusiast, Mark enjoys kayaking and paddling boarding across our incredible beaches and rivers in the South Hams. During the winter months you can find him following local rugby.
Ben Harris
Ben has recently joined SDCE as a Home Energy Advisor.
Ben has spent the majority of his working life running his own successful business. He now feels that a dynamic shift needs to be made to help move society towards a sustainable future. This includes helping households avoid, and get out of, fuel poverty. This is especially important in the current climate.
With his expertise in assessing and selling private and military properties, Ben knows how to implement energy saving strategies as cost effectively as possible. Ben is also very interested in renewable energy options and how these can be incorporated within domestic and commercial settings, to produce dependable power for all.
In his spare time, Ben loves getting on or in the water, in any way possible. He especially enjoys swimming, paddle boarding and boating in the beautiful South Hams waters.
Jemma Jewkes
Jemma comes new to the energy sector, bringing a wealth of programme management and business operation skills.
Her background is in Disabilities/Inclusive Practice, Restorative Practice, and Prisons, having worked in both the public and not for profit sectors. Jemma is dedicated to projects focusing on social responsibility and is keen to learn and develop this focus in the energy sector.
In her personal life, Jemma is a mum, and a big fan of rugby and dogs.
Helen Thompson
Helen has an MSc in Marine Biology and worked for many years in conversation and environmental consultancy, in the UK and overseas, ranging from running a coral research project in the Seychelles to marine mammal observation aboard seismic exploration vessels in the North Sea. She has also worked at the Environment Agency and other independent consultancies.
She has developed a passion for green living and fixing everything from textiles to electricals, and was keen to move into a sector where she could help others move towards more sustainable living.
Helen has recently completed her City and Guilds Energy Awareness qualifications and enjoys helping others to reduce their carbon footprint and live more affordably, which is becoming particularly relevant in the current climate.
Helen has lived in the South Hams with her family for 15 years and enjoys exploring the coast and moors.