The Solar Trade Association (STA) has appointed Chris Hewett as its new chief executive.
Mr Hewett, who has been leading on policy at the trade body since June, will takeover from the outgoing chief executive, Paul Barwell, who leaves at the end of January.
Before joining the STA, Mr Hewett headed up the Environment Agency’s climate change team and has also previously worked for Green Alliance, IPPR and the Finance Innovation Lab.
In addition, Leonie Greene has also been promoted to a director role at the STA and will be working closely with the new chief executive to develop the trade body’s forward strategy, as well as continuing to lead on parliamentary and external affairs.
“As we move away from a subsidised market, our role at the STA will be to showcase the brilliance of the solar and storage industries, to identify and promote effective new business models, to safeguard quality, and to secure a level playing field in terms of policy and market frameworks,” said Hewett.
“The solar industry is bursting with people and companies who are passionate about what they do and who remain utterly committed, despite current challenges.
“That is why it is such an exciting sector to work in and why I am confident we will prevail sooner rather than later,” he added.