Management & administration
Hazel has wide knowledge of sustainability issues. She served as a housing association board member and environmental champion for six years, and holds an MSc in Environmental Sustainability.
Her past experience includes leading behaviour-change projects, developing energy-efficiency training programmes and working as a consultant to improve the financial viability of charities. She is also part of the local transition movement in Carlisle.
As a professional administrator, Kushti worked previously in the retail and education sectors. Her responsibilities have spanned a range of disciplines, from facilities management to training coordination and reception. In her London days, she was operations supervisor responsible for stock control at a fashion brand’s flagship Oxford Street store.
Kushti and her fiancé also run the superb Country Coffee Shop in Penrith.
Caroline was previously the climate change officer for South Lakeland District Council, and developed their carbon management programme, driving a 5% annual reduction in CO2 emissions and overseeing the council’s first renewable installation.
She is passionate about protecting our environment and is a founding director of Community Energy Cumbria, as well as a keen cyclist, runner and wanabee mountaineer.
Project management & development
Roe works closely with communities to facilitate, develop and finance projects that will have a lasting beneficial impact on day-to-day lives. She’s led an impressive range of projects, from community transport and community-owned renewable energy schemes, to community land and food-growing plots, green business and green waste projects.
Roe is currently leading the Alston Moor Greenprint, an exciting three-year programme funded by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, paving the way for a more sustainable future for the area, with practical actions linked directly to the development of a community plan and the neighbourhood planning process.
Phil has been recognised by the EU Commission for his success in delivering an ERDF-supported programme of energy-efficient refurbishment, whilst managing a £1.6 million ESF programme of training in the low-carbon economy.
In his spare time, Phil is chair of Community Energy Cumbria and was a driving force behind its Killington Reservoir hydro scheme and solar arrays at the Lake District National Park Authority headquarters. He’s also a volunteer with Burneside Community Energy.
Andrew also established and trained teams of energy-saving advisors. He developed our professional training programme, leading with our successful series of courses on retrofitting for energy efficiency since 2016. He has produced videos for householders and housing associations targeting energy saving and damp and condensation.
He also conducts comprehensive energy audits and thermal-imaging surveys for CAfS and delivers a series of workshops on energy saving, draught-proofing techniques and thermal-imaging assessments.
Andrew joined us from LESS in Lancaster, where he completed numerous thermal surveys for clients throughout Lancashire, assessing heat loss and providing comprehensive energy-saving advice. He also has a wealth of experience providing draughtproofing and efficient LED lighting solutions. He is qualified in a City and Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Green Deal Domestic Advice and is a certified level 1 thermographer. Andrew previously worked in central government where he delivered many training projects throughout the UK.
Rhona has worked as a practitioner, policy maker, researcher and lecturer in sustainable development and regeneration during her 25-year career. Notably, from 2003-2010 she led Yorkshire Forward’s Rural Capitals programme, including the ground-breaking Renaissance Market Towns, creating new jobs and revitalising town centres.
Since 2010, Rhona has run her own consultancy specialising in sustainable development and regeneration, supporting partners in delivering research and projects. She conducts research and lectures at Newcastle University on sustainable development, and completed a PhD there on energy self-sufficiency for rural areas.
Central support
She has previously been internal communications manager with the City of London Police, Metropolitan Police Service and Lancashire County Council before moving to Cumbria. Since coming to the county, she has been running her own communications consultancy, mainly supporting charities and civic organisations.
She’s a volunteer with Penrith Action for Community Transition and the Penrith and Eden District Freegle group.
Gemma is currently helping to coordinate our LEAP energy advice and draughtproofing service and setting up our new Cold to Cosy Homes scheme.
She moved to Cumbria from Scotland in August 2017. Her background is in the public sector, having previously worked for the Procurator Fiscal’s Office in Kilmarnock.