Solar Trade Association names Chris Hewett as new chief

The former head of the Environment Agency’s climate change team brings a wealth of experience to the role, having previously worked in senior positions at the Green Alliance, IPPR and the Finance Innovation Lab during a 25-year career.

“We are delighted to have appointed Chris to the role of chief executive,” STA chair Jonathan Selwyn said. “He brings tremendous experience and skills to the Association at this critical juncture.

“Solar is poised to play a lead role at the heart of the UK’s smart energy transformation, but making the economics of solar work today depends on pursuing every opportunity to boost markets, including securing effective regulatory change.

“The board has been hugely impressed by Chris’s intelligent & strategic approach, and we look forward to working with him in championing solar’s remarkable potential during the coming years.”

Next phase of growth

Hewett will begin his new role at the start of January 2018. In the meantime, he will continue in his position leading on policy for the STA, working alongside the current chief executive Paul Barwell.

“I am honoured to be leading the solar industry into its next phase of growth,” Hewett said.

“As we move away from a subsidised market, our role at the STA will be to showcase the brilliance of the solar and storage industries, to identify and promote effective new business models, to safeguard quality, and to secure a level playing field in terms of policy and market frameworks.”

Meanwhile, head of external affairs Leonie Greene will be promoted to a director role in the organisation. This will involve Greene working closely with Hewett and the board to develop the STA’s forward strategy, the organisation said. 

George Ogleby