Cleantech Clusters

The Cleantech Clusters event series was launched earlier this year by Rushlight Events and Cleantech Investor. The first three events have each featured a venture capital investor on the panel - discussing topics relating to the emergence of cleantech clusters around the UK and centres of excellence in cleantech industry sub sectors.

The first event, sponsored by BDO, was held in London in February and focused on the theme of London's potential to become a cluster of technologies for the built environment - with a particular emphasis on the opportunities arising as a result of the 2012 Olympics. Speakers included Gia Kroeff of building contractors, Bovis Lendlease; Niall McNevin, from the Olympic Park Legacy Committee; David McMeekin, Chairman of Company Guides Venture Partners and manager of the London Technology Fund (LTF); and Ian Klesmer of the London Hydrogen Partnership. Read event review.

The second event was sponsored by Burges Salmon LLP and was held in Bristol. Focusing on the emergence of cleantech in the southwest, speakers included local representatives Alan Bailey (Chairman of Low Carbon South West); Denis Burn (Chair of the University of Bristol Council); Nick Sturge (Centre Director, SETSquared) and Philip Tellwright (Managing Director, SWAIN - the South West Angel and Investor Network) - who were joined by Mark Preston, a Principal of London based WHEB Partners. Read event review.

The third event took place in Aberdeen during All-Energy 2011 in May 2011 on the theme of investment in innovation in renewables. Panelists included Dr Douglas Rankin - Marks & Clerk LLP; Stuart Deed - Managing Director, The Launch-Point Limited; Professor C Paul Mitchell - University of Aberdeen, Institute of Energy Technologies; and Tony Lesowiec - Practice Leader, Pera Innovation Ltd.

Back in London in May, an event hosted by Norton Rose focused on hydrogen - and the emergence of clusters of excellence in hydrogen and fuel cells. Panelists included Dennis Hayter, VP Business Development at Intelligent Energy; Kerry-Ann Adamson, Research Director, Pike Research; Marcello Contestabile of Imperial College; and Daniel Carter of venture capital firm Conduit Ventures.

The next event takes place in Leeds on 14 June. Panelists will include: Dane Wilkins - Director, Renewable Energy Group, Ernst & Young; Neil Evans – Director of Environment & Neighbourhoods, Leeds City Council; Geraint Evans – Head of Biofuels and Bioenergy, NNFCC and Richard Greenfellow of Addleshaw Goddards, the hosts. More information & Registration.