Following our AGM in the autumn, we’re excited to announce our new Chair of the Board of Directors, Mike Paton, who replaces our long-standing chair Peter Thompson. Mike lives in Bristol and is a BEC member. He shared some of his hopes for the coming year.
Tell us about yourself
I am a chemist by training, and spent most of my career in aerospace engineering. Latterly, I was director of the Engine Shed, which is owned by The University of Bristol and is the city’s leading enterprise and innovation hub. Over the last six years I’ve focussed more on small scale innovation.
What drew you to BEC?
I invested in Share Offer 9 and have been getting to know BEC since then. Becoming a member was the first awareness I had of BEC and community-owned energy. I love the model as a bottom-up approach to driving a just transition. I’ve been on the board for a year, and really enjoyed it. I live in a flat with no option to install solar so it’s great to invest somewhere I feel I can make a difference in the energy space.
What does the role of chair involve?
The role is about helping support the board and the team, making sure we’re delivering financially and keeping on track with targets. It’s a lot of responsibility, but I have faith in the work the team are doing.
What do you see as BEC’s priorities for 2026?
I think our priority is how we do community engagement. It sounds fundamental, growing the extent to which we reach a good cross-section of the community. In these tough times, many people are thinking first about cost rather than where energy is coming from and how it affects the climate. There are ways to help drive a desire for better energy. Renewables do not mean more expensive energy and we can help make that connection.
What do you love about Bristol?
I grew up fairly rural in North Wales, in Anglesey, and have lived in Bristol for nearly a decade. Bristol, for me, has a homely and friendly atmosphere that I feel most cities lack. There is a level of consciousness of the climate crisis and its importance and an effort to try to mitigate it. Not many places share that optimism, which makes it a positive place to be as well.
What are you most looking forward to in 2026?
I’m most looking forward to getting more involved in BEC, acknowledging my role is strategic, spreading the good word and meeting the community. Despite not seeing the speed of change we had hoped for from this government, I’m optimistic about what’s coming. There’s still space to support community energy in terms of funding. I think there’s an opportunity for a lot of collaboration across the country.
