Pinchbeck will have responsibility for leading the organisation’s policy and communication work from mid-November.
Her role comes as part of a restructure within the trade association as the current deputy chief executive Maf Smith moves from policy and communications to lead work on events, membership and programme delivery.
She joins from WWF-UK where she is currently head of climate change and energy. She has previous experience across the energy and financial sectors including with the Sustainable Energy Association.
Pinchbeck said: “Renewable energy is on the cusp of a transformation, from being valued as key to the fight against climate change to also being recognised as the engine room of our economy.
“I firmly believe that the technologies of the next industrial age must reach their potential– for business, for society, and for our planet. I am excited to join Renewable UK and help drive this transition.”
Renewable UK chief executive Hugh McNeal said: “Emma’s impressive track record of working across political, business and campaign groups and delivering cross party support on climate and energy gives her unparalleled insight into how we demonstrate the clear offer of wind, wave and tidal technologies to the UK.
“I’m also very pleased that Maf Smith will be staying on as our Deputy Chief Executive to lead RenewableUK’s work on developing our business and member services and applying his significant experience to this important part of our organisation’s work.”