Meet
Our Team

Philip Davis

Areas of Experience:
Phil has been working in the renewables sector since 2001 when he set up Hydro Generation, which ultimately became Renewables First in 2009. He is a recognised expert in hydropower, wind and solar PV at all project stages. He runs Renewables First and the sister company GoFlo Screens and still takes a keen interest in the day-to-day projects they are involved with. 

With a BEng Mechanical Engineering degree from Surrey and MSc in Renewables Energy System Technology from Loughborough, coupled with an apprenticeship with Rolls-Royce and seven years working overseas in the oil industry he has a wealth of experience to draw on. 

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Ian Nock

Areas of Experience:
Ian has been working in the renewables sector since 2014 in everything from early stage technology development to site-specific system design and installation. He leads our Net-zero, Heat Pumps and Solar PV teams and is a member of the company’s Senior Management Team. 

Ian has an established and diverse career in engineering, graduating with a masters in Mechanical Engineering from Sheffield University before undertaking successful roles at multinational defence technology companies: QinetiQ and Ultra Electronics, followed by a role within the Environmental Controls team at Dyson. Ian enjoys tackling complex engineering problems especially those contributing towards a sustainable society. 

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Matthew Fletcher

Areas of Experience:
A Chartered Civil Engineer who joined Renewables First at the start of 2011 with a great deal of experience of environmental infrastructure engineering mainly in the water industry. These skills were also used in disaster relief projects for six years all over the world where it was important to deliver practical solutions fast in complex environments. Matthew works on hydro power projects from feasibility to commissioning, with particular focus on deliverable outputs of design and construction. 

Matthew lives with his wife and three children who commission equally important projects like making tree houses. 

Adrian Ezard

Areas of Experience:
Adrian joined the company in 2010. He has become one of our key project engineering contractors. Adrian works predominantly on hydro projects, typically on the site surveys, feasibility and consenting stages. He also installs and maintains systems, and as an experienced diver is used to working in cold wet environments when required! 

After 26 years in IT, working predominantly on mainframe systems a personal interest in practical engineering led him to Renewables First. He is now based in the Scottish Highlands extending the company support north of the border. During his spare time, he is building a house, sails and scuba dives. 

Jason Withington

Areas of Experience:
Jason has been working in the water industry for over 20 years, from hands-on manufacturing and servicing, through to on-site trouble-shooting and project management. At GoFlo screens (sister company to Renewables First) he is a key member of the GoFlo team, as well as providing additional engineering support for the Renewables First team. 

Jason has acquired a wide range of engineering experience in his career, graduating with honours in Manufacturing Systems Engineering from University of the West of England, Bristol, before taking various successful rolls in commercial engineering companies. Jason enjoys a technical challenge and chance to make a difference with high quality and service. 

Matt McKerrow

Areas of Experience:

Matt McKerrow is an experienced professional in the renewable energy sector working on sustainable solutions since 2009. With a background in Electrical Project Management, he has experience in designing and installing, renewable energy systems and has joined Renewables First to focus on Solar.

Starting his Renewable Energy journey with consultancy for wind and solar installations he moved into the design and installation of District Heat Networks for biomass boilers and GSHP’s. Most recently he has been Project Managing the installation of EV charging arrays. With a BEng in Energy & Environmental Engineering from Edinburgh Napier, Matt is committed to a future powered by sustainable energy.

Laurie Wilkinson

Areas of Experience:

Laurie works primarily on wind turbine projects, from feasibility studies through to installation. He also contributes to business development in this area.

Since graduating with a BEng in Environmental Engineering from University College London in 2010, Laurie has worked mostly in the renewable energy industry. This included undertaking an EngD in wave power physical modelling for 4 years at Queens University Belfast. This was followed by working as an offshore wind construction and maintenance analyst and software developer for 9 years at JBA Consulting. Laurie spends his spare time playing football and attempting to cook for his young son.

John Cook

Areas of Experience:

John is a renewable energy engineer who joined Renewables First to pursue his passion for hydropower and to deepen his technical expertise in wind power. He enjoys the variety of both office and fieldwork, from feasibility studies and system design to collecting hydrology data and being involved on site at installation.
John has a background in commercial project management of photovoltaic (PV) solar installations, electric vehicle (EV) charging installations, wind turbine services, civil construction and site management. He holds a postgraduate diploma in sustainable energy provision and demand management, as well as a first-class degree in astrophysics from Loughborough University.

James Hayward

Areas of Experience:

James is working as a Renewable Energy Engineer, taking ownership of early-stage site assessments for a range of renewable technologies.

James initially graduated from Durham University with a Masters in Physics.  After a number of years developing his analytical and scientific skills in industry, he undertook an MSc in Renewable Energy Systems Technology at Loughborough University to provide the foundation for a move into the renewables sector.  He is enjoying using the practical and theoretical skills gained during this course on projects contributing towards the UK’s energy transition.

Will Rayson

Areas of Experience:
Will runs our sales and development programme and has been involved in commercial development for over 40 years. 

Since graduating with an MBA, Will has always been interested in systems and processes and how contacts and customers can be kept advised of milestones as they occur.  

As a keen motorist, Will has always been interested in the application of renewable energy in this sector, especially the pros and cons of electric vehicles.  

He is generally the first point of contact for projects at our company, and can help and facilitate the development of enquiries as they occur. 

Chris Jones

Areas of Experience:
Chris joined Renewables First Ltd in 2015 as our financial controller after qualifying as a Chartered Certified Accountant. He started his career in an accountancy practice working towards his qualifications but after qualifying, decided to make the shift to ‘industry’ and join Renewables First. The challenge and opportunity to really understand all areas of the business and create new systems or help develop existing ones was something that excited him about the role.

Outside of work, Chris has a passion for music and enjoys playing the Bb Cornet, although he isn’t sure his neighbours enjoy it quite as much…