Award Nomination Text:

NOMINATION
for
"NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR"
BIRMINGHAM UNIVERSITY AWARDS FOR TREMENDOUS ACHIEVEMENT

Gavin joined the University January 2015 as Energy Development Manager. This was soon after the creation of the Birmingham Energy Institute. In a period of 8-9 months his contribution has been unbelievable. He has established himself as the go to energy person in the University. He has not only been key in the delivery of the publicity material (website content, brochures, event organisation) but has led the organisation of the Policy Commission on Cold, the coordination of the report writing, production and writing of elements of the content. He has worked night and day and through illness to deliver a very high quality report which will place the University in the leading position in this sector from a policy perspective. The rapid acceleration from someone completely new to the University to mastery of the system, with effective exploitation marks him out as someone with an impressive career ahead.

At the outset the visibility of the Birmingham Energy Institute was minimal. Gavin's role in growing the profile to the point where BEI is a nationally recognised brand has been absolutely key. His leadership within the Birmingham policy commission process has been enormous, he has been the generator of ideas and innovation. He has handled the communications with Lord Tervson professionally, and the commission will culminate with a presentation of the report to MPs, Chief Scientific Advisors from BIS and DECC, 4 Lords and 1 Baroness together with leaders from the industrial sector. The opportunity to create UoB profile in this area is absolutely enormous at a moment when the government are poised to invest £60-£250m in the sector into which the report is to make recommendations. The timeline of the commission has been aggressive and Gavin has ensured it will be delivered and with a quality product.