Community
Energy
Birmingham

A non-profit cooperative working to improve our city's relationship to energy.

Smiling, comfortable, healthy homes.

We are experts looking to help you make the right choices about insulation, ventilation and heat systems. The best part? We are non-profit, meaning our metric of success is not how much margin we can get out of you but rather how fast we can decrease cost and carbon of your home while improving comfort.

'I am homesick for a home that doesn't exist . . . . yet.'

Then and Now

We started by raising community investment to install solar panels on local buildings, but have since grown to support home energy retrofit — delivering workshops, in-home advice, and guidance on insulation, heating upgrades, and funding access. By helping residents improve comfort, lower costs, and save energy, we tackle both environmental impact and social inequality.

We work with owner-occupiers and funders to make modernise Brum's residential building stock.

Our Staff

Hugh Fergusson

An urban designer/planner turned retrofit expert. He spends his time collecting experience and qualifications in the theory and practical sides of home retrofits. His goal is to see how many homes he can get off gas in his career.

Roman Gayle

Worked in the energy sector for many years. He manages and delivers funded advice and education around energy efficiency, retrofit, damp and mould, gas and smoking risks, CO and associated health concerns.

Maybe You?

Your Dream Job Title

Drop us your CV with a cover letter explaining why you'd like to work with us. What kind of work you want to do and why.

Maybe You?

Your Dream Internship

We want non-profit to be a more common career choice. To that end, we work with elective classes in Unis and host Interns.

Our guidance team :)

These are the passionate Brumies that believe in the ethos and ethics of a community led approach. They are volunteers! Their time is greatly valued by the people they collaborate with. We work to reward them with the best possible positive impact/hour yield.

Beate Pesian

Chair

is a co-founding Director of the recruitment consultancy Worksmiths who lead recruitment in the sustainability space. Prior to life in the UK, Beate qualified as a lawyer in Germany and worked in litigation.

Favourite place in Birmingham? - "The old towpaths along the canals are lovely, very calming".

Shaz Rahman

Secretary

is a compliance officer for energy efficiency measures on behalf of Eon Energy. He is also part of Birmingham Friends of the Earth. His blog about environmental campaigning and co-ops is great. www.shaziety.com

Favourite place in Birmingham? - "Digbeth and Stirchley. They both have interesting co-ops like Birmingham friends of the earth and Artefact as well as vibrant art and music cultures"

Dr. John Newson

has a PhD in Technology Policy from Aston University. An active driver and supporter of many local community based initiative.

A little known cool fact about Birmingham. - "The city centre has a heat network. This helps the waste heat in one building to be used as useful heat in another building"

Daniel Wilson

Treasurer

worked for many years as a computer programmer in a CADCAM company. He is a community energy enthusiast with connections to many groups across the country.

Favourite place in Birmingham? - "The canals in Birmingham aren't a secret but are more varied than you might expect.

A walk under the BT Tower or up to Edgbaston Reservoir shows some differing sides of Brum."

Dr Joseph (Joe) Day

is a researcher at UoB in systems and energy. He has been mapping energy performance certificates on homes using thermal imaging drones (BrumBIRD) and is currently investigating the health benefits of regional net zero policies.

Favourite place in Birmingham? - "Great Western Arcade - I've enjoyed hosting energy themed quizzes at the Good Intent, a cracking not-for-profit pub with a great selection of local ales."

Catherine Mazhandu

is a proud Zimbabwean and academic. Cath now holds posts at Coventry Uni and Oxford Brooks Uni in strategic management.

A little known cool fact about Birmingham. - "The oldest pub in Birmingham is 'The Old Crown' in Digbeth at over 650 years old!"

Kefentse Dennis

is a geography teacher with a BSc and Post Grad. Dip turned project manager with two qualifications in Environmental Management.

Favourite place in Birmingham? - "Cherry Reds, a cafe/bar, known for it vegan options, open mics nights, local brewery options, and room hire."

Alex Drew

Brummie born and bred, with a BSC in Project Management, Alex is now focused on applying his managerial skills and experience to initiatives that benefit communities and the planet

Favourite place in Birmingham? - "The Hollies tand at Edgbaston Stadium makes me proud to be Brummie. It is known globally as one of the most fun and diverse crowds for test cricket."

Guy Haydon

A creative business leader and entrepreneurial strategist with over 9 year’s experience in the EV industry, particularly in start-ups and early stage companies. He has previously held leadership and development roles at Zaptec, Siemens and Instavolt and is now CCO of Aerovolt, building the world’s first public charging network for aircraft.

Favourite place in Birmingham? - "I love a walk around the canals, even more if it is followed by a pint in The Welly or a dram at The Birmingham Whisky Club!"