SWBC Autumn Conference

Prof. Richard Davies is a British geologist, academic and the current Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of the University of Plymouth. With a career spanning industry and academia, he has published over 100 academic papers and is internationally recognized for his expertise in gas hydrates and climate change and fracking.

Hugo Jones is Deputy Director for Growth in the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero. He is responsible for industrial strategy, growth policy, and the Office for Clean Energy Jobs. His team led the development of the Clean Energy Industries Sector Plan as part of the Industrial Strategy and is finalising the UK’s first Clean Energy Workforce Strategy. Hugo was previously head of net zero at HM Treasury and has held senior roles across investment, economic development, and multilateral policy.

Tim Stiven is the Director, Energy Systems at The Crown Estate, with a focus on delivering an offshore energy system that supports the nation’s needs for economic growth, prosperity and a thriving natural environment.

He is a Naval Architect by training, and started his career in the Royal Navy, which set him on a path focussed on advanced marine technologies, commercialisation, and how to unlock growth in complex and dynamic markets.

Claire Pearce is the Founder & Executive Director, Real Growth Ltd. Claire has over thirty years’ experience working across the public and private sectors in a diverse range of development roles, all with a key focus on place transformation, performance and delivery. With a demonstrable track record in nationally significant and complex regeneration projects, Claire has been able to create the conditions to attract investment, transform places and uplift opportunities for communities.

Rich Oldfield has been the Chief Executive at NCC since 2018. In this role, he leads NCC as a commercial subsidiary of the University of Bristol and sits on the management board of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult. Rich is passionate about the role technology and innovation can play in anchoring product leadership. Before joining NCC, he spent 25 years in the aerospace industry in a variety of technical, product and business leadership positions.

Dr Souran Chatterjee is a Lecturer in Energy Transitions in the School of Geography, Earth & Environmental Sciences, at the University of Plymouth. His research focuses on demand-side mitigation pathways for net-zero transitions and how these can support human well-being across different global contexts. With over a dozen publications in high-impact journals—including Joule, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, and Springer Nature—he brings deep expertise to the intersection of energy policy, climate action, and sustainable development.

Dr Christine Allison is an economist who holds a portfolio of positions including Chair, South West Investment Group (SWIG) Ltd, and Governor of Plymouth University as well as her position with SWBC (Statutory Board and Finance Committee). Her work revolves around finance for SMEs and business ventures.

Rebecca Jarrett is the Wales and South-West representative of the National Wealth Fund (NWF) and is based in Cardiff. Her role covers NWF’s activities across both the public and private sectors. The NWF has £27.8bn to drive investment and growth across the UK. Before joining NWF, Rebecca was a Structured Finance Director at NatWest, where she was responsible for structuring and executing debt financings for sponsors and corporates across the UK South.

Mark Gayler is Head of Pensions and Investments at Devon County Council. Mark heads up the investment team responsible for overseeing the £6 billion Devon Pension Fund, as well as undertaking treasury management for the council. He also oversees Peninsula Pensions who provide pension administration services for both the Devon and Somerset funds. Mark is a CIMA qualified accountant and has the CFA Certificate in Investment Management.

Nick Dixon has led the £6.5 billion Avon Pension Fund since 2022. It serves c.140,000 members in the public sector across Bristol, Bath and surrounding areas.

Before joining Avon Pension Fund, Nick advised private sector wealth platforms on their pensions & investment proposition. He was CIO of Aegon UK from 2013-2021, focusing on DC workplace pensions. From 2001-2013 Nick was Marketing Director for wealth & pensions platform Quilter.

Justin Olosunde is the Senior Funding & Investment Manager, West of England Combined Authority. Justin also acts as the finance lead for the Department of Energy Security & Net Zero (DESNZ) Local Net Zero Accelerator Pilots supporting Greater Manchester, West Midlands and York and North Yorkshire Combined Authorities.

Justin has an extensive background in investment banking (capital markets and hedging infrastructure finance), education management, curriculum development, consultancy, social enterprise, and sector specialisms in renewable energy and environmental goods & services.

Prof. Jon Shaw is Professor of Transport Geography and Head of the School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Plymouth. His research focuses mainly on transport and mobility governance, policy and strategy. He has served on the editorial boards of several academic journals, including as the Associate editor of the Journal of Transport Geography, and has been a Specialist Adviser to the UK House of Commons’ Transport Select Committee. He is a member of the Great Western Railway Stakeholder Advisory Board and Chair of the Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership.