Representatives from REA, SMMT and UK100 join Transport + Energy editorial board

Representatives from UK100, The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) and The Association For Renewable Energy and Clean Technology (REA) are the latest to join the Transport + Energy editorial advisory board.

A group of highly experienced experts from both sectors make up Transport + Energy’s editorial advisory board with members offering insight about marketplace happenings; giving thoughts and opinions on topical issues, providing ideas for features and news contributions and helping to steer the editorial direction of the brand.

Christopher Hammond, Chief Executive of UK100; Matthew Adams, Transport Policy Manager, Association for Renewable Energy & Clean Technology (REA); and Emma Butcher, Director of Communications at the SMMT are the latest to join with the full list of members available to view here.

As Communications Director for the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, the organisation representing the UK automotive industry, Emma Butcher has helped steer, support and champion the sector’s public profile and interests through many issues, including Brexit, and now the ongoing challenge of reaching Net Zero. 

Emma joined SMMT in 2015 and has worked in the industry for more than 20 years in various disciplines. Prior to entering PR and Communications, she was an automotive journalist with roles including Editor of Car and Accessory Trader and, latterly, Consumer Editor of What Car?  

Talking about joining the editorial board, she said: “It’s an honour to be asked to join the editorial board of Transport + Energy. Educating everyone about the innovations, technologies and complexities involved in changing our world is crucial to accelerating the path towards Net Zero mobility. I look forward to being able to use my skills, experience and insights in all forms of communications and to working with the other hugely experienced and diverse editorial board members.”

Christopher Hammond is the Chief Executive for UK100, the only network for locally elected leaders in the UK taking ambitious action to deliver Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions. Previously, Christopher served as the elected Leader of Southampton City Council from 2018-2021 and as a Councillor (2013-2022). In 2020, he was shortlisted for ‘Leader of the Year’ in the LGIU Councillor Awards. Christopher holds a degree from Bournemouth University, which named him its 2019 Alumni of the Year.

He commented: “I’m delighted to join the editorial board; it’s no coincidence that transport and energy remain two of the highest emitting sectors in our economy, and only by breaking down the industry silos and working together can we achieve the UK’s Net Zero goals. I welcome the chance to help bring industries together while ensuring locally-led delivery is at the heart of the conversations. Local authorities are vital in leading the ambitious energy and transport infrastructure reforms necessary in communities up and down the country.”

Matthew Adams is the EV policy lead at RECHARGE UK, the EV forum of the Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology (REA). Matt has been actively involved in EV policy for the last three years having previously worked at Drax on among other areas their EV policy. His primary interests lie in accelerating chargepoint deployment and system flexibility while ensuring public chargepoints can be accessed by and are safe for everyone. Before Drax, Matt wrote his master’s dissertation on decarbonising public transport, concluding local authorities must be given appropriate resources to provide attractive, net zero public transport to reduce congestion.

He said: “I’m honoured to be invited to be a part of the editorial board. Transport + Energy has been a beacon over the last few years that continues to shine a light on all the brilliant work going on across the sectors. But the thing I most respect and value about what Transport + Energy have done is come from a technology agnostic approach, recognising that any and all efforts to decarbonise road transport are needed to get to net zero. This chimes with the values the REA and I both share, as is Transport + Energy’s commitment to collaboration. Never has a sector like ours needed to collaborate more to achieve the modal shift we all want. Recognising we are all after the same end goal and that we all have a value to play sets Transport + Energy out from the rest. I look forward to playing a small part in moving the conversation forward and achieving that modal shift as part of a collaborative effort both as part of Transport + Energy and in my role as the policy manager for our EV forum RECHARGE UK.”

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