The board of directors of the Gloucestershire Community Energy Co-operative currently has five members with a range of complimentary skills.
Matt Partridge (Chairperson since April 2024, elected September 2022)
Matt Partridge is the Development Director and a co-owner of REG Power Management, a well-established UK onshore wind and solar development business. Matt is also Treasurer of Nailsworth CAN.
Matt has spent his entire working life involved in the UK onshore wind and solar energy development sector following his graduation from the University of Southampton in 1994 (BSc Hons Geography). In that time Matt has held senior positions at National Wind Power (now RWE Renewables), Gamesa Energy UK and Ecotricity.
Peter Boait (Treasurer since April 2024, elected September 2018)
Peter Boait is a chartered electrical/electronic engineer with a PhD in energy systems. For the last 15 years he has been performing and leading research and development around renewable energy systems, as Research Fellow at the Institute of Energy and Sustainable Development at De Montfort University. This work contributed to the realisation of the Energy Local model for community energy schemes. Other examples of recent research publications cover “smart grid” demand response techniques and sustainable operation of mini-grids in the developing world.
Peter is a founder member of Gloucestershire Community Energy Co-op, and chaired the board for several years. He is keen to find innovative roles for the co-op that will enable communities to benefit from the ongoing transition to a smart grid and decarbonisation of heat.
Nathan Cole (Secretary – elected September 2022)
After making efforts to minimise his own carbon footprint (solar panels, heat pump, electric car, renewable energy supplier, green banking, diet change…), Nathan started looking for opportunities to have a greater impact towards tackling the climate emergency. Through GCEC and volunteering with The Big Solar Co-op, Nathan hopes to progress the deployment of renewable energy systems across Gloucestershire and beyond!
Rob Jones (Co-opted September 2024, elected September 2025)
Rob has extensive experience of accounting, auditing, corporate advisory and financial analysis. His career was as a Chartered Accountant (with EY) and Financial Analyst (with Standard & Poor’s).
In retirement he has been channelling his climate ‘guilt’ into action. He is a volunteer with, and director of, the Big Solar Co-op. He is a member of the Stroud Area Community Energy Network. He organises his village’s climate action group. He has internally insulated his home, has solar panels, a battery, a heat pump and an EV. He is a trustee for a charity that helps children with disabilities and has been the treasurer of his village’s hall.
Paul Roberts (Co-opted July 2025, elected September 2025)
Paul brings 20 years’ experience in public policy, community stakeholder engagement, partnership building and social impact delivery in the public and third sectors, to the GCEC Board. This includes as a co-founder of local inclusive economy partnerships, Community Benefit Societies, Community Interest Companies and social enterprises, and as a former charity CEO.
In his current professional role, Paul champions meaningful community stakeholder engagement to help realise a just and inclusive energy transition. Paul lives in Bourton-on-the-Water with his wife and two children.