1 Kensington Gore
Kensington, London SW7 2AR
UK
A reliable, affordable and sustainable energy supply for light, heat and fuel is vital for 21st Century living. How can we support local entrepreneurship and help the world’s poorest communities gain access? How is access to energy changing around the world?
Speakers
Dr Simon Bransfield-Garth, CEO Azuri Technologies
Simon is CEO of Azuri Technologies, a world leader in PayGo solar systems for rural off-grid communities. A serial entrepreneur he has 25 years global experience building rapid growth, technology-based businesses in sectors including Semiconductor, Automotive and Mobile Phones.
He currently sits on the Governing Council of the African Centre for Technology Studies, and his career includes 7 years at Symbian, the phone OS maker, where he was a member of the Leadership Team and VP Global Marketing. Simon was founder of Myriad Solutions Ltd and was previously a Fellow at Cambridge University. He holds a Ph.D in Engineering from St John’s College, Cambridge UK and is a Chartered Engineer.
Sarah Best, Senior researcher, International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED)
Sarah is a Senior researcher in the Sustainable Markets Group at the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) where her work focuses on energy access and renewable energy, productive uses of energy, and on citizen engagement in policy and debates on energy and mining.
She has expertise in civil society advocacy for policy and practice change, a range of energy and extractives issues, renewable energy and climate change. Her current research is focused on East Africa.
Before IIED Sarah was Policy adviser in Oxfam’s advocacy unit (UK, Brussels, Bolivia) and held various research and policy roles across industry. She has an MPhil in Development Studies, from the University of Sussex and a BA in Modern History from the University of Oxford.