Britain’s Energy Coast adds to senior team

Britain’s Energy Coast in west Cumbria has appointed two new members of its leadership team, head of property and development Rob Miller, and head of estates Bill Graham.

Graham joins BEC from Edinburgh SIPP pension specialist Embark Group, where he was a commercial property specialist. He will be responsible for management of BEC’s property portfolio, incorporating Westlakes Science & Technology Park, Moss Bay, Blencathra and the new headquarters site at Cleator Moor.

Miller joins after nearly six years as director of capital projects and estates at Northumberland College. He will bring in development experience to Britain’s Energy Coast as it looks to bring forward schemes that both generate revenue, and create a lasting legacy for the west coast.

Michael Pemberton, chief executive of Britain’s Energy Coast, said: “Following our change to a fully commercial operation in April 2016, we have been searching for two senior team members to guide the maximisation of our existing property portfolio and the development of future schemes.”

Graham said: “Having spent over three years specialising in commercial property within a SIPP regulated business, I am delighted to be involved in traditional asset and property management once again, where my passion lies. BEC not only offered such a role, but there is a real opportunity to help make a difference in driving the business forward in a unique environment incorporating a highly entrepreneurially driven company with a genuine corporate and social responsibility to the area that it serves.”

He is relocating from Scotland for the role and is currently getting to know Whitehaven as his first base.

Miller is returning to his home county of Cumbria to take up the new post. He said: “I have always had a willingness to return to the region to enjoy family links and embrace a challenge where I could promote the county on a national and international stage. The post at BEC offers me the chance to do just this. I have a passion to see the county grows as a destination in terms of employment, education and leisure and I feel there are many opportunities to be explored in terms of partnerships and cohesive vision.”

The appointments complete the recruitment of the BEC leadership team: Michael Pemberton, CEO; finance director, Derek McHale, on secondment from the NDA; HR consultant, Sue Kaveney; head of energy and funding, Joe Martin; operations and stakeholder manager, Kate Garratt; commissioning manager, Noel Butters; and executive assistant, Paula Mewse.

Britain’s Energy Coast delivers economic development activity in west Cumbria and is financed through its property assets, including Westlakes Science and Technology Park. Britain’s Energy Coast is jointly owned by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, Allerdale Council, Copeland Council and Cumbria County Council.