Richard Watson, Director
Founder/Director
Richard Watson is a founder of ESC. He was awarded the OBE in 2016 for services to the community of Sussex. Previously he worked at the Environmental Change Institute in Oxford.
He is a director of the Schools Energy Co-op and Community Energy South.
Kayla Ente
Director
Kayla has been involved in the renewable energy industry since 1993, working for such notable organisations as Greenpeace International, Nuon, and Ecofys.
In 2004, Kayla moved to London providing business development and advisory services to utilities and SME’s in the Cleantech industry. Kayla is a qualified accountant and has an MBA in Environmental Management. She is founder and CEO of Brighton & Hove Energy Services Co-operative (BHESCo) and a director of Community Energy South.
Julia Hilton
Director
Julia is a trained landscape architect and visual artist. As well as being the Green Party parliamentary candidate for Hastings and Rye, she is an active divestment campaigner and helped establish the Sustainable Transport Forum for Hastings.
Kate Meakin
Campaigns manager
Kate has worked for various NGOs for the past 13 years on campaigns focusing on fair trade, climate change and poverty. Alongside this Kate has been active in grassroots campaigning for the green movement.
Favourite low carbon action: Working with school children to make a GIANT bobble hat for a home energy campaign as part of the Cardiff Transition Towns project.
Heidi Foster
Partnerships manager
Heidi Foster has had a varied work life. Apart from owning a bookshop she has worked as a Mental Health Social Worker, was Manager of a homeless Centre in England, was a Counsellor in the USA for young people and has been active in voluntary organisations as treasurer and advocate in the community.
Her major objectives are justice, equality and helping with carbon reduction and fighting fuel poverty.
Deborah Derber
Energy adviser
Deborah has been an energy adviser for the last three years. She is able to help customers get a better deal and sorts out problems they have with their energy supplier.
“At Energise Sussex Coast we try to highlight issues such as poor housing, damp and mould and the effect this has on people’s mental and physical wellbeing.”
Sarah Macbeth
Design manager
Sarah is a qualified graphic designer and has worked in the non profit sector for over 20 years. She is Chair of Transition Town Hastings and a divestment campaigner.
Favourite low carbon action: creating a community garden.