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igem news

AGM New Executive Board announced Honorary Secretary Gordon Davies Newly elected ordinary members:
IGEM ALSO ANNOUNCED the CEO Neil Atkinson Trevor Smallpeice
creation of a new Executive Board, Philippa Wrenn
which it believes will help the The board has also elected the David Tomkin
institution to be more agile in its following trustees: Ben Kuchta
strategic decision making. Phil Jenkins, GATC, representing Auditors:
CEO Neil Atkinson announced the Industrial Affiliates UHY Hacker Young
establishment of the board, the Martin Alderson, NGN, representing
creation of which has followed an Northern Gas Networks Officers:
intense review of IGEM’s governance David McLeod, ULC Robotics, President Elect 2019-2020
arrangements. representing the Young Persons Duncan Wong, General Manager,
The new board will primarily act Network Hong Kong and China Gas
as a steering group to Council, to There will also be two co-opted advisers, to Vice-President 2019-2020
streamline decision making. In be announced in due course. Ben Clarke, Regional Accounts
addition, it will have responsibility for Manager for PM PROjEN
monitoring the overall performance of
the institution. Election of officers, ordinary
members of Council and auditors Silver medal awarded
The following officers will serve on The AGM also saw the election of The Silver Medal was awarded to
the new IGEM Executive Board: officers and trustees of the Council. Alec Breen for his paper, Established,
President Antony Green Many thanks to all our volunteers Expert, Connected, which was
Vice President Duncan Wong old and new for giving their time to presented at a North West Section
President Elect Ben Clarke support the Institution. Event, in November 2018.
Past President Steve Edwards

MY YEAR AHEAD to engage at the highest levels across collaborating in this endeavour –
our sector and with wider stakeholders
quite rightly, as gas networks are a
during the last 12 months. That’s terrific asset in which the consumer
By Antony Green, IGEM something I hope to continue, with his has already invested. They have
President 2019-2020 support, during my presidency year. an asset value over £30 billion,
delivering nearly three times the
Interesting times energy delivered by the electricity
This rapidly changing sector needs networks, and provide storage
to modernise as we tackle the hard and flexibility options largely
realities of climate change and the unavailable on an electric path
2050 net zero targets. Today, the gas to decarbonisation built around
network provides 80 per cent of homes renewables.
in the UK with the energy needed for So, in place of key themes for
heating, cooking and hot water. But my year as President I have one
this isn’t a sustainable position, at big request; that we as individuals,
least not with methane. companies, stakeholders and IGEM
Gas has been a fuel for 200 years as a whole work together to develop
and has survived several energy a viable pathway that sustains the
revolutions already. We are now on future of our sector and gets the right
the verge of another, driven by the outcome for consumers.
big ‘D’ of decarbonisation alongside
the smaller ‘D’s of digitalisation and Governance fit for the future
decentralisation. As I mentioned earlier, I’d like to talk
more about the governance review
The search for solutions and the modernising of Council. By
IT SEEMS LIKE FIVE MINUTES since I There’s no silver bullet for clean design, the creation of an Executive
gratefully accepted the nomination to energy, but decentralisation and Board to manage IGEM’s day to
become President two years ago. This alternative gas solutions means day business will free up Council
is partly because I’ve already had the we have options – whether they to focus on you - the membership.
privilege of leading the working group be biogas, synthetic natural gas, From now on, our Sections will come
to review IGEM’s governance and hydrogen or even hybrids. A route first and Council will concentrate
create a new Executive Board, more of to net zero will require clarity, its time and effort on supporting
which later. ambition and courage to develop you in professional membership,
Before I go any further, I want a clear roadmap that will convince delivering quality events and meeting
to thank outgoing President Steve government gas is a valid pathway our goals as a learned society. This is
Edwards for his sterling service over alongside widespread electrification. about nothing less than ensuring our
the past year. Steve has enabled IGEM The gas networks are all institution is fit for the future.

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