The Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE) is pleased to announce the appointment of Janine Michael as our new Chief Executive.

Janine has been at the heart of CSE’s leadership team for over 20 years, playing a key role in expanding and diversifying the charity’s funding, increasing its impact and profile and most recently leading the organisation as Deputy CEO through a period of substantive growth.

Her appointment ensures a focus for CSE’s work going forward that builds on our track record, successes and core strengths. Her vision is underpinned by a deep understanding of CSE’s positive impact on individuals, communities and the whole energy system.

“I’m hugely excited to be taking on the Chief Executive role at the moment a new government has announced its intention to speed up the delivery of net zero and warmer homes” said Janine. “It’s a moment of hope and optimism, and comes when CSE is particularly well positioned to bring evidence, insight and practical recommendations to bear.”

New strategy

Over the last year, under Janine’s leadership, CSE staff and trustees have contributed to a comprehensive strategy review process. The led to a new strategy setting out the charity’s plans in six key work programme areas. These are: supporting people in fuel poverty and vulnerable circumstances; housing energy retrofit; empowering communities; local authority support and action for net zero; future generations; and fairness in the energy transition.

We have also recruited our first policy officer and set up a policy influence function to make more of the lessons and recommendations of our work.

“My vision for CSE going forward is that we use our new strategy and work programmes to shape and deliver innovative projects that inspire and demonstrate solutions for addressing fuel poverty and reaching net zero. We will improve the communication of our impact and expand our policy work, being clearer about the policy improvements and solutions needed nationally. And we’ll focus our efforts on areas where CSE is well placed to make a difference – the design of new national retrofit programmes, the experience of the energy market for fuel poor and vulnerable customers, and ensuring new policies are designed with fairness and inclusion at their heart”.

Exciting vision

Anne Obey, Chair of Trustees said: “Following an extensive recruitment and selection process, the board is unanimous in concluding that Janine is the right person to take CSE forward. As well as her comprehensive knowledge of the sector and extensive experience of CSE, Janine has a vision for the organisation which will be exciting for everyone to be a part of.”

CSE’s previous Chief Executive, Simon Roberts OBE, stepped down earlier this year.

He remains an inspiration to many

“Simon was instrumental not only in his role in developing and shaping CSE, but for his ideas and thought leadership. He remains an inspiration to so many of us, not just those who work for CSE but across the whole energy sector,” said Janine. “It’s a privilege to be building on the solid foundations he laid.

“I’m passionate and committed to CSE’s mission of tackling climate change and addressing fuel poverty. And I and remain as enthused and inspired to develop solutions and deliver practical change as when I first began my career in sustainable energy three decades ago. I am also immensely proud of the work that CSE delivers, the dynamism of our staff team of some 120 talented individuals, and the positive difference we make every day.”