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Sonya Bedford, 2018 graduate from CAT’s renewable energy MSc was recently appointed as a CAT Trustee after a recent round of trustee recruitment.
As an educational charity dedicated to researching and communicating positive solutions for environmental change our Board of Trustees are at the heart of the organization. Our Trustees bring a wide range of experiences to help oversee our overall direction and mission in inspiring, informing and enabling people to respond to the climate and biodiversity emergency.
As a CAT trustee Sonya, who has a background in law working as Head of Energy at Stephens Scown LLP, will offer her legal expertise to the board to ensure that CAT and its representatives function within the legal and regulatory framework of the sector. Within her current role at Stephens Scown LLP, Sonya leads a team of solicitors specializing in energy policy and law and she also advises the industry on the legal requirements for large scale renewable energy developments, including grid, infrastructure, policy, licensing and supply issues
Sonya also graduated from CAT’s renewable energy MSc in 2018 and will be able to contribute to the board from the perspective of a CAT graduate and ex-student of the Graduate School.
“I first came to CAT at seven years old (not long after it had been founded!) and the experience never really left me. After a couple of short courses, I enrolled on the MSc and spent an amazing four years learning and being challenged on all things renewable energy.
The experience of being a student and the sheer knowledge and dedication of the CAT team made me want to remain a part of CATs future.”
She was also awarded an MBE for services to community energy in the same year, along with a number of other environmental awards. Alongside sitting on our Board of trustee’s, Sonya also sits on the board of five community energy groups and is one of the founders of the innovative and ambitious Zero Carbon Wedmore group which Sonya recently talked about on one of our recent Zero Carbon Britain online course.
“I have long admired the Zero Carbon Britain Programme led by the amazing Paul Allen and as part of my Trustee role, I would very much like to be involved in Zero Carbon Britain which is an inspirational blueprint for the future. I can’t wait to get stuck in with this new role.”
We delighted that Sonya has joined CAT’s Board of Trustees and look forward to welcoming her back to site when we are able.
Learn more about CAT’s postgraduate courses
Through the Graduate School of the Environment, CAT runs nine sustainability-focused postgraduate courses which are offered full time and part-time through on-site residential weeks, distance learning, or through a mix of both, which provides flexibility to students from a wide range of backgrounds.
Due to high interest in our courses, we have recently closed our MSc courses to new applications for 2020/21 and are operating a waitlist. If you would like to find out more get in touch with Alis Rees via email gsmo@cat.org.uk or telephone 01654 705953 for more information.
