Current Directors, Staff and Volunteers
Our team comprises a wide range of skills, attributes, and commitments. We believe we represent a good cross section of age and gender of the community in the Derbyshire Dales.
Co-Chairs: Emma Leaman & Dave Locke
Treasurer: Brian Saunders
Company Secretary: Brian Saunders
Board of directors
Andy Douglass Andy has a BSc (Engineering) and MBA. He worked as an engineer within the steel industry in Sheffield for around 45 years and then as a consultant working on steel industry-related issues. Now retired, he is a Parish Councillor and a trustee of a local sports association. Having spent much of his working life improving energy efficiency and environmental compliance in an extremely energy-intensive industry, Andy is now interested in helping others to reduce their carbon footprint.
Brian Hebron Brian worked in hospital pharmacy including the teaching of clinical pharmacy. Since retiring he has supported several local charities. He helped set up, and remains treasurer of, the local Third Age Trust [U3A] and Bridge Club. He helped start and register a charity, the local Community Land Trust, and has previously been a Trustee and Director of Wirksworth Heritage Centre.
Emma Leaman Emma has recently relocated from Birmingham to Derbyshire after retiring from her career in education. She most recently worked as a secondary school Headteacher following her time as Assistant Director for Education at Birmingham Local Authority. She is keen to keep learning whilst using her knowledge and skills to make a contribution locally. Emma is now excited to have the time to devote to things that matter most to her: collaborating to create more sustainable ways of generating and using our energy through community energy projects hits the spot!
Dave Locke Dave has a BSc in Engineering and has worked in a wide variety of industries as an Industrial Hydraulics Consultant. He is now using solar panels, a heat pump and an electric vehicle, as a back up battery, to reduce his energy bills to very low levels.
Brian Saunders A former Senior Civil Servant, consultant and banker with a career full of social and economic infrastructure projects and project finance in the public and private sectors, Brian is now keen to make use of those skills to help DDCE.
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Advisor to the board
Dami Aluko Dami is an energy and sustainability professional with extensive experience in renewable energy, sustainable development, and impact projects. He has previously worked across technical, commercial, and impact-focused roles to drive clean energy access and climate action for both public and private sector organisations. Dami works as a Technical Commercial Manager, developing and implementing smart grid & low-carbon energy solutions to support the transition to a net-zero future. Dami holds a Bachelor’s degree in Physics and a Master’s in Satellite Applications from the University of Strathclyde.
Volunteers
Sadie Grace Sadie earned a Bachelor’s degree in Geography and recently completed a Master’s in Climate Change Politics and Policy at Loughborough University. She has experience in sustainable energy modelling and an interest in sustainability and renewable energy. Sadie is passionate about climate communications and enjoys creating infographics and visual content that make climate information clear, engaging, and accessible. She’s excited to contribute to work focused on community-based climate action.
Hazel Hsinchi Hsu Hazel is currently pursuing an MSc in Digital Marketing at the University of Manchester, with a strong interest in applying marketing strategies to support sustainability and community-focused initiatives. With experience in social media, SEO, and data analysis, she is keen to explore how digital tools can be used to raise awareness, drive engagement, and contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Hazel is passionate about gaining hands-on experience in the UK and supporting grassroots organisations through accessible, meaningful marketing approaches.
Staff
Lucy Bird Lucy works part-time as a paid staff member, supporting DDCE and the Derbyshire Community Energy Hub. She has an MSc in Sustainability & Adaptation to climate change. She has worked with the YHA on their sustainability strategy, with Change Agents UK, leading on sustainability education programmes, and as Environmental Sustainability Manager for Rambert Dance Company. She co-founded and ran a community food-growing project (Incredible Edible) and has volunteered for varied community & environmental projects.