About us

Ian Lawrie

Chief Executive, Director

Ian has an established career in renewable energy and finance.

Since Ian co-founded Island Green Power in 2013 he has lead the company to become one of the world’s largest and most successful Solar Developers with 900MW of plants developed. Under his leadership, Island Green Power has grown from being a UK focused developer to a developer with operations in 5 markets who are well positioned to lead the energy revolution.

Prior to founding Island Green Power, Ian co-founded Scientia Solar which completed the development of 12 projects in Italy under the feed in tariff regime.

Before becoming involved in the renewable energy industry, Ian founded Liberty Asset Management in 1996, which grew to become one of Ireland’s largest independent financial services companies with assets under management of €300m. In 2002, Liberty was acquired by Eureko, a major European Insurance Conglomerate.

Ian is also an avid golfer with aspirations. He has competed in the prestigious Alfred Dunhill Links Championship Pro-Am several times.

Colm Killeen

Executive Director

Colm has an established career in renewable energy.

Since Colm co-founded Island Green Power in 2013 the company has grown to become one of the world’s largest and most successful Solar Developers with 900MW of plants developed. In time, the company has realised many market firsts such as some of the first grid parity projects in the UK and the first non-grant funded Utility Scale project in Australia.

Colm is widely respected in the industry and has a wealth of connections. He is a firm believer that the world is going through a once in a lifetime energy transformation where clean renewable energy is more affordable than conventional fossil fuels and an energy revolution is happening.

Prior to founding Island Green Power Colm co-founded Scientia Solar which completed the development of 12 projects in Italy under the feed in tariff regime.

Before Colm’s involvement in the renewable energy industry he owned a real estate development company which completed several developments in Eastern Europe in partnership with institutional investors.

Colm is a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley and a qualified private pilot.

Bertie Ahern

Chairman

Bertie Ahern is the Chairman of Island Green Power.

Bertie is the former Taoiseach of Ireland (Prime Minister) having served as a member of the Irish Parliament for almost 35 years.

He was first elected Taoiseach in June 1997, he was re-elected in June 2002 and again in May 2007 and is the first person in over sixty years to have been elected to that office on three successive occasions.

Bertie was the Minister for Labour from March 1987 to November 1991 and was appointed Minister for Finance on three separate occasions from November 1991 to December 1994.

Bertie was one of the prime architects of the Good Friday Agreement in April 1998 alongside the political parties in Northern Ireland, Tony Blair, Bill Clinton, Mo Mowlam and George Mitchell which set Northern Ireland on the trajectory of peace after thirty years of civil unrest.

During his second term as Taoiseach, Bertie became the president of the European Council in 2004. Under his presidency EU leaders agreed a European Constitution.

Chandni Ruparelia

Head of Legal

Chandni joined Island Green Power in 2020, and acted for Island Green Power for a number of years prior to this.

She is responsible for managing the company’s legal affairs and helping to manage Island Green Power’s utility-scale solar PV and battery storage projects, both within and outside the UK. She is excited to be working with the company to deliver reduced CO2 emissions and to add value to electricity consumers through the company’s capital financing, design efficiency and streamlined project development and construction execution.

Prior to joining Island Green Power, Chandni worked at a large UK law firm, Shakespeare Martineau LLP, acting for domestic and international developers on their energy projects. Her practice encompassed advising on: land and property matters, regulation on GB specific matters and a wide range of contracts, particularly in the clean and alternative energy space.

Chandni also acted for other stakeholders in the energy sector, including National Grid ESO in relation to its electricity balancing services contracts, National Grid Grain LNG, electricity suppliers and other market players in relation to their regulatory and contractual matters.

Chandni grew up on the sunny and sandy shoreline of Dar-es-Salaam in Tanzania, and is working on her powers of persuasion to get Island Green Power to the continent of Africa. She is a fitness enthusiast and an avid traveller.

Tamsin Bernard

Senior Legal Counsel

Tamsin joined the Island Green Power legal team as Senior Legal Counsel in January 2023 and advises on land acquisition and site set-up matters relating to Island Green Power’s utility-scale solar PV and battery projects in the UK.

Tamsin previously worked in the legal team at Battersea Power Station Development Company and, before moving inhouse, qualified into and practised in the commercial real estate team of city law firm CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang LLP where she advised on a range of property issues, including landowner development, property finance and commercial leases.

Outside work, Tamsin enjoys travelling, art and yoga.

Robert Young

Senior Legal Counsel

Rob works within the legal team at Island Green Power and assists in the land acquisition and site set-up aspects of the project cycle.

Previously, Rob has worked for international law firms specialising in the real estate aspects of renewable projects, including solar and on-shore and off-shore wind.

Outside of work, Rob enjoys sport and outdoor activities, including rugby, hiking and triathlon.

Alessandra Campos

Senior Paralegal

Alessandra joined Island Green Power in 2022 after a secondment in September 2021. Prior to joining she worked for three years as a Paralegal at a niche energy and infrastructure law firm.

Alessandra has worked on a number of energy projects and specialises in real estate, undertaking site due diligence and applications with HMLR. She is familiar with project contracts and corporate work.

Alessandra loves to spend her free time outdoors and enjoys rock climbing and mountaineering. She is also a yoga enthusiast and qualified as an instructor in 2018.

Zaki Omar

Legal & Business Assistant

Zaki joined Island Green Power in October 2022, where he assists with legal and commercial exchanges, as well as the development and integration of software platforms.

This is Zaki’s first full-time role after graduating with a degree in International Relations in 2022. While at university, he developed a keen interest in decarbonization and developing ESG frameworks.

Outside of the office, Zaki enjoys travelling to different parts of the world and playing tennis.

Grant McMoneagle

Head of Reporting

Grant is a Chartered Accountant with over thirty years’ experience mainly supporting the bidding, financing, and operations of large infrastructure projects.  Prior to joining Island Green Power in 2022, Grant was Head of Reporting for a global service and utilities company.

Outside work, Grant is a keen sportsman and is a county rugby referee for Buckinghamshire.

Ewa Persson

HR, Finance & Administration

Ewa joined Island Green Power in 2016 and is responsible for finance, administration and Human Resources.

Prior to joining Island Green Power Ewa has held several key roles in various growth companies and brings experience from many different industries to the team. These include;

• The Swedish Language School EF, Ewa was responsible for managing Swedish students’ year-long exchange program in USA.
• At Rights Agency Limited, a company managing artists’ royalty payments, Ewa was the General Manager liaising with worldwide, state-owned rights agents as well as the world’s most well-known artists.
• Other industries where Ewa has worked include recruitment, consumer electronics and hospitality.

Ewa was born in Sweden and is an expert skier and dedicated environmentalist.

Cathy Hanrahan

Finance & Administration

Cathy joined Island Green Power in December 2020 and is a member of the Finance and Administration team.

Prior to joining Island Green Power, Cathy spent sixteen years working in the finance department for a large American company specialising in the collectibles market.

A Management Accountant, Cathy brings with her the experience of having worked with several types of accounting systems and will make a major contribution to the design and development of the company’s new in-house accounting system. She also brings with her years of team leadership experience from her previous roles.

Cathy enjoys going to the theatre, watching sports and has a great love of animals.

Christella Brand

Finance & Administration

Christella joined Island Green Power in April 2022 and is a member of the Finance and Administration team.

Prior to joining Island Green Power, Christella worked 13 years in the Finance Department of a global healthcare technology and services company who provides specialised software and data services to healthcare industries and professionals like the NHS, Ministry of Defence, GP’s and Pharmacies in the UK.

She originally started her career in Banking and FX Trading and spent 13 years working at a number of International Money Brokers and major banks as a FX Dealer Assistant.

In her spare time, Christella enjoys photography, growing vegetables in her allotment and long country walks with her family.

Alessio Aru

Head of Design

Alessio joined Island Green Power in 2014.

Alessio is responsible for the design of our Solar PV Plants. His responsibilities range from System Design, Yield Assessments to project management of EPC tendering and contractors. He has a technical approach to problem solving and is a real team player.

Prior to joining Island Green Power Alessio worked in a similar role for another UK Developer. Before this he was a building surveyor in the construction industry in Italy.

Alessio hails from the beautiful island of Sardinia and sees himself as a brand ambassador for all things Italian – food, fashion, history and culture.

Mathias Nicola

Project Designer

Mathias joined Island Green Power in 2021. He is responsible for supporting the development and design of Utility-scale PV Plants and perform energy yield assessments.

Born in Uruguay, Mathias started his journey in Renewables in 2012. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering with a focus on Energy and Sustainability. After graduating he joined a well established solar company in Surrey working as a Solar PV design engineer. Here he developed his skills in designing grid-tied systems with battery storage as well as preparing quotations and grid connection applications.

Prior to this Mathias worked as an administrator in the shipping industry at the Port of Montevideo where he worked in the logistics department.

In his spare time, Mathias plays music in a band and enjoys going to the community garden to grow organic vegetables in tune with nature.

Antonio Saponaro

Project Designer

Antonio joined Island Green Power as Project Designer in 2023. Before joining IGP, he gained experience, as a Project Engineer, on the development of large-scale onshore wind and solar projects in Italy.

Antonio is a rounded professional with an academic background both in engineering and in business administration. He qualified at the University of Bologna (Italy) with an MSc in Environmental Engineering (with First Class Hons) and an MBA in Green Energy. He is also Prince2 Agile certified in project management. Antonio’s professional exposure includes a diverse portfolio of experiences, ranging from automotive to renewable energy.

Antonio enjoys traveling; he finds witnessing new cultures inspiring and enhancing his creativity. He loves outdoor sports such as hiking and open water swimming.

Joss Ryall

Development Manager

Joss joined Island Green Power in 2020 and is responsible for the development of the company’s Solar PV projects in the UK.

Prior to joining Island Green Power, Joss worked as an Investment Manager at the Ingenious Group, focusing on the project financing and development funding of renewable energy projects in the UK, Europe and the Middle East.

Joss’ role included leading the acquisition of both operating solar PV assets along with early stage development pipelines, drawing on his competencies in financial modelling and transaction management. He is also experienced in the financing and management of anaerobic digestion and wind assets.

Before joining the renewable energy industry, Joss started his career in forestry investment after completing his Masters Degree in Chemistry at the University of Oxford.

Joss is a very keen traveller and surfer who enjoys playing rugby for his local club, Belsize Park RFC, in his spare time.

Dave Elvin

Head of Projects UK & Ireland

Dave has worked with Island Green Power since 2013 and is responsible for the project management of the company’s solar projects in UK and Ireland.

Prior to joining Island Green Power, Dave spent 15 years working in senior management roles in the engineering and automotive industries in the UK and Europe, making extensive use of his degree in Mechanical Engineering and MBA.

This has involved leading complex component engineering, supply chain procurement, continuous improvement exercises and quality management for General Motors and component manufacturers. As General Manager at Holden he was responsible for strategy and operations of their start-up Mobility business, delivering bespoke vehicle engineering solutions to clients.

Dave has retained a hands on approach to engineering and continues to work on classic cars in his spare time, as well as being Chairman of a grassroots football club.

Eve Browning

Project Development Manager UK

Eve Browning joined Island Green Power in 2021 as a Project Development Manager based in their Norwich office. Eve has over ten years’ experience in renewable energy development and project management roles.

Eve was previously Head of Development at Temporis Wind, an onshore wind developer-owner-operator responsible for the creation of the UK’s largest portfolio of Feed-in Tariff wind projects. Since then, Eve has gained experience in the development of utility scale solar developments and battery energy storage systems, as well as undertaking the DCO requirements discharge for an offshore wind farm in a consultancy role.

Eve has a master’s degree in Physics from the University of Oxford. In her spare time she enjoys exploring East Anglia and further afield with her energetic young family.

Lesley Giles

Project Development Manager UK

Lesley joined Island Green Power in 2021 to project manage UK sites through the development process.

Solar energy has been a passion for Lesley since completing her thesis on dye-sensitised solar cells during her Master’s degree in Chemistry. She started her career as a Project Manager of residential solar installations and has since worked on the development and construction of commercial solar farms.

Lesley is also a keen volunteer for her local community energy group who manage the funding, construction and operation of solar installations to benefit the community. She provides technical support, event planning and has even been known to sing (badly) to promote the cause.

Lesley has farming roots, and loves to get out of the city and back to the countryside when she can. In London, she’s a regular on the netball court and the yoga mat.

Natasha Worrall

Project Development Manager UK

Natasha Worrall joined Island Green Power in 2023 as a Project Development Manager based in North Devon. Natasha has 5 years’ of environmental planning and project management experience.

Natasha was an Environmental Consultant and Project Manager specialising in Environmental Impact Assessment for land development schemes and linear infrastructure and has experience of delivering projects under the Town and Country Planning Regulations and Development Consent Orders under the Infrastructure Regulations. Natasha managed the production of Environmental Statements, ecological and environmental surveys, environmental licenses and permits and planning reports for a wide range of private and public sector clients.

Natasha studied Geography as an undergraduate and completed a masters Environmental Consultancy with a focus on sustainable technologies and environmental assessment. Natasha spends her spare time hiking and exploring Devon and Cornwall with her dog.

Tom Edwards

Land Manager UK

Tom Edwards joined Island Green Power in 2022 as a Land Manager based in Cheltenham.

Tom has 8 years’ experience working with rural and infrastructure clients, having worked across a breadth of industries including power and renewables. Tom has worked on Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects, having worked through Development Consent Orders from inception to implementation. Across these projects Tom managed large volumes of land and interests, building effective working relationships with stakeholders.

Tom studied Rural Land Management at the Royal Agricultural College Cirencester and has qualified as a Chartered Surveyor and a Fellow of the Association of Agricultural Valuers.

In his spare time Tom enjoys outdoor and rural activities as well as rugby, gravel biking and home brewing.

James Hill

Land Manager UK

James joined Island Green Power in 2023 as a Land Manager based in South Wiltshire.

He has spent over 20 years working in property specialising in telecommunications infrastructure. Initially dealing with land acquisition and planning which was followed by a move to estate and senior property management roles within two national mobile phone operators. While working for one of the operators, James led the project scope and bid creation for the acquisition, planning, design and build element of new Government backed emergency communications network, which successfully turned into a major development project for the company.

Most recently James has worked for a national rural consultancy providing specialist advice to landowning clients affected by statutory notices served by telecommunications companies.

Outside of work, James is a parish councillor and trustee of the village hall. In his spare time James enjoys cycling and working on various ongoing projects on his house.

Sam Aitchison

Project Manager UK

Sam joined Island Green Power in December 2020 and is responsible for assisting the UK team deliver on its projects.

This is Sam’s first full time role after graduating from Swansea University with a First Class Honours Degree in Mechanical Engineering. During his time at Swansea he gained a strong interest in renewables eventually completing his final year project on carbon capture.

Sam loves the outdoors, enjoying skiing and playing rugby. He has also completed the GR5 and GR20.

James Youngs

Project Manager UK

James joined Island Green Power in October 2022 as a Project Manager to assist the UK team in delivering on its projects based in the Norwich office.

He started his career as a Planning Consultant for a multidisciplinary planning consultancy, focusing on renewable developments. He cut his teeth assisting in the development of utility scale solar developments and battery energy storage systems, together with preparing applications for onshore wind and grid connections. He was also part of the project team that was granted the first solar DCO in the UK.

James graduated from the University of York in August 2021, with a degree in Human Geography and Environment with a Year in Industry. Here he completed his final project evaluating renewable energy policy against national climate targets.

James is a local supporter of Norwich City Football Club and is a keen traveller, often exploring Europe during his time off.

Jose Manuel Soria

Chairman Island Green Power Spain

Jose joined Island Green Power in 2021 as Chairman for Island Green Power Spain SL.

Jose was Minister of Industry, Energy and Tourism of the Spanish Government (December 2011-April 2016). Prior to this he was the Deputy Prime Minister of the Regional Government of the Canary Islands (June 2007-October 2010). Jose was also President of the Government (Cabildo) of Gran Canaria (June 2003-June 2007) and Major of the city of Las Palmas (June 1995-June 2003).

Jose founded Sorben Partners SL in February 2017 and is currently the CEO. Jose is also a Board member at Domingo Alonso Group, Servatur Hotels and Resorts. He is a Senior Advisor to Alantra Investment Bank, Grant Thornton Spain, Sotec Consulting, as well as other companies related to telcos, industry, corporate finance, strategic consultancy, energy and infrastructure.

Jose is a senior economist and member – civil servant since 1984 – of the High State Corps of Economists and Commercial Counsellors in Spain. He holds a Degree in Economics, Universidad Autónoma, Madrid and a Degree in Law, Universidad Antonio de Nebrija, Madrid.

Javier Salamanca

Country Manager Spain

Javier joined Island Green Power in 2019 and is responsible for the company’s Solar PV Plants portfolio under development in Spain.

Javier is committed to PV projects’ Location Securement, Interconnection Process, Preliminary Designs, Environmental and Administrative Authorizations, to secure the Spanish projects portfolio up to Ready to Build status.

Javier’s previous experience in Development and EPC in Japan, United Kingdom, Italy and Spain, is supported by his strong technical background and different environments’ know-how.

Before joining the renewable energy industry in 2010, Javier worked as a Civil Engineer in Spain, being involved in different construction projects of roads, water supply networks and metro railways.

Javier was born in Lérida but moved to Barcelona where he has lived for more than 10 years. Two of his remarkable passions are winter sports and motorcycling.

Luis Renedo

Development Manager Spain

Luis joined Island Green Power in 2020 and is responsible for the development of the company’s Solar PV Plant portfolio in Spain.

Luis is focusing on obtaining all the required authorisations, permits and licenses to bring the sites up to a Ready to Build and Commercial Operation Date status, as quickly as possible.

Luis became involved in the renewable energy industry in 2008 when he graduated with a degree in Law and Business. He has been working as the in house lawyer for several financial entities playing a leading role in the funding of Solar PV Projects.

Luis is widely experienced in the development of PV projects. He has been involved in every stage up to Ready to Build status with 1,000 MW of plants developed, mainly in the Spanish and Latin American markets.

Luis lives in Madrid where he was born and raised. He is a formal member of the Spanish Bar Association and his biggest passions are tennis and gastronomy.

Guillermo Arbizu

Project Development Manager Spain

Guillermo joined Island Green Power in 2021 and is responsible for  the search and development of new projects in Spain.

Renewable energy has been a passion for Guillermo since early age and is the reason behind his choice to study energy and materials engineering. Following his studies Guillermo joined CIEMAT, one of the biggest energy and technology research laboratory in Spain.

Guillermo joined IGNIS and the solar energy sector in 2020 where he worked on the design and development of several solar projects located in Andalucia, Spain, reaching over 600MWp.

Guillermo has always lived in Madrid. He loves all kind of team sports like football, paddle and ultimate frisbee. Guillermo also enjoys traveling, hiking and playing the piano and ukulele.

Jaime Martin Fernandez

Project Development Manager Spain

Jaime joined Island Green Power in May 2022 and is responsible for the origination and development of new projects in Spain.

He studied Agricultural Engineering where he gained in-depth knowledge in natural science and its application to develop solutions to environmental problems.

In early 2021, Jaime joined ERCAM, where he worked as a Project Manager for several renewable projects located all over Spain, focusing on Andalusia and Catalonia.

Outside work, Jaime enjoys outdoor sports activities such as hiking, running, bike-touring and open water swimming. He also loves travelling and to immerse himself in other cultures

Gerardo Ballabriga Mora

Project Engineer Spain

Gerardo joined Island Green Power in 2022 as a Project Engineer based in their Madrid office.

Gerardo has a degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Zaragoza. Previously, he had training in Electrotechnical and Automated Systems.

In 2019, Gerardo joined Sisener Ingenieros where he worked as a Project Engineer developing photovoltaic projects all over Spain.

Gerardo enjoys music, movies and football. He has supported his hometown football team Real Zaragosa for as long as he can remember.