Philip Sellwood CBE, former Group Chief Executive of Energy Saving Trust and founder trustee of the Ellen Macarthur Foundation, has been named as the new Chair of the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership (LowCVP).
He brings experience from directorship roles in Renewable Energy Assurance and Tevva, organisations which carry out consumer protection activities and development of modular electrification systems for medium duty commercial vehicles, respectively. He was awarded CBE status in the 2020 New Year Honours for services to public energy policy.
Philip has been an Advisory Board member of UK Energy Research Council since 2005 and brings experience of the local government sector having been a Non-Executive Director of the Local Government Improvement and Innovation Board for almost 10 years.
His appointment comes during transition to a zero-carbon future in the road transport sector following the government commitment to net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. His tenure will see publication of a transport decarbonisation plan and confirmation of government commitment to phase out diesel and gasoline powered internal combustion engines by 2035 or sooner.
LowCVP Managing Director Andy Eastlake says: “Philip has been a key board member of LowCVP since its inception in 2003, serving as Vice Chair for several years.
“His experience and advice together with his wide-ranging links across the energy and related industries are going to be critically important as the barriers between sectors, such as electricity and transport, continue to break down.”
Thanking outgoing Chair Darran Messem, he adds: “Darren’s six years as Chair of LowCVP have seen some of the most dramatic changes in the low carbon road transport agenda and in the ways the Partnership has operated.
“His support to me and the team has helped keep LowCVP in the vanguard of this agenda and I’m pleased he will continue with us on the Board as we move towards net zero.”
Philip believes coronavirus COVID-19 presents the UK an unparalleled opportunity to deliver sustainable recovery. ”It is a privilege to have been appointed as LowCVP’s new Chair,” he says. “I have previously seen for myself what a tough but important role this is.
“I hope to help continue the work to assist the UK government, the automotive sector and the public to move towards a decarbonised transport future.”
