Powerful Thinking, the outdoor events sustainable energy working group, has restructured, appointing a new Chair and Project Lead Tim Benson, heading up a new-look board, within the Vision: 2025 sustainable events knowledge hub.

Powerful Thinking is a not-for-profit working group, whose mission is to provide the outdoor events industry with inspiration, resources and technical support to enable a transition from carbon intensive temporary power provision to lower impact solutions.

 Tim Benson states:

“I am delighted to be working with this diverse team of industry experts. We are going to focus on driving significant reductions in carbon emissions at events, producing a comprehensive library of resources to support the differing needs of all levels of organisers and suppliers.” 

These resources will include ‘How to’ guides, energy monitoring tool kits and advice on how to get the most from your power contractor. The group will also continue to profile power contractors with a proven track record in delivering emissions reductions, share features on fresh and innovative clean tech solutions and maintain a case study resource bank for inspiration. 

The new board brings together vastly experienced industry professionals, representing different sectors of the outdoor events market, together with representatives of key industry bodies, generator and tower light specialists, battery suppliers and monitoring experts. 

Board members include Chair and Project Lead Tim Benson (founder of Smart Power Ltd and Technical Director at ZAP Concepts), Shaun Pearce (MD of Pearce Hire); Tom Wild (MD of Project Power); Neil Fenwick (MD of Illumin8); George Nairn (Senior Project Manager and Chief Engineer at Flying Hire Events); Kate Read (Project Engineer at Konik); Graham MacVoy (MD at GMC Events); Steve Heap (Chair of EIF & AFO); Vikki Chapman (Sustainability Manager Festival Republic); Kevin Moore (Festival Director at Vision 9 & Board Member of AIF); Holly Howey (Event Manager and Sustainability Lead at Great Run Company); Mark Denbigh (Head of Production and Programme at Norfolk and Norwich Festival); and Megan Best (MD Native Events Ireland). 

Through their work, they will support the outdoor events industry’s ambitions to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions in line with the Vision: 2025 pledge by focusing on energy, the impact most directly under the organiser’s control. 

Powerful Thinking’s resources will be accessible through the working group’s website and updates shared through the monthly Vision: 2025 newsletter. Organisations and individuals wishing to be profiled should contact Tim Benson via the website or using the contact details below.   

Tim Benson: tim@powerful-thinking.org.uk 

Website: https://www.powerful-thinking.org.uk

This news story originally appeared in our August 2020 newsletter. Sign up receive monthly event sustainability news, case studies and guest blogs direct to your inbox using the form below.