Sir Martin Holdgate - Chair

Sir Martin Holdgate is Chair of the Cumbria Renewables Panel.

Sir Martin has held numerous high level positions during his career. He is a former Chairman of the Government’s Renewable Energy Advisory Group, which reviewed the national strategy for developing renewable energy, and was also the first Chairman of the Government’s Energy Advisory Panel. Prior to this he had a twelve year spell as Chief Scientist and Deputy Secretary, Environment Protection, at the Department of the Environment, where he helped to shape national and international policy on the prevention of environmental pollution, clean air, water management, countryside conservation and the disposal of waste (including nuclear waste). Between 1988 and 1994 he was Director General of the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (now known as the World Conservation Union) based in Switzerland. He was knighted for his services to the environment in 1994.

Sir Martin, who lives near Kirkby Stephen, said: "Renewable energy can make an important contribution to Cumbria's economy, and the establishment of this panel will help ensure that the county is well placed to reap these rewards. The panel will be able to think strategically about the contribution the different technologies can make, while safeguarding Cumbria's very special environment and tourist industry. I hope that my experience in science, government and conservation will help us in developing a positive but balanced approach."