The three Founder Directors of Ynni Anafon Energy Cyf.

Gavin Gatehouse

Gavin has lived in Abergwyngregyn since 1973 and raised his family in the village. He retired in 1998 after 26 years in the University of Wales, Bangor and a period as Head of the School of Biological Sciences so has experience of general, personnel and financial administration in a large university department. This role and his research interests in tropical entomology involved him with national and international government and private sector organisations in the UK, Africa, the Far East, Australia and the Americas. He has been active in community initiatives and enterprises in Abergwyngregyn, as a community councillor, a founder Director and past Chair of the Abergwyngregyn Regeneration Company and member and past Chair of the Aber Heritage Valley Partnership. He is now founding Chair of Ynni Anafon Energy Cyf.

Hywel Thomas

Hywel’s family has lived in Abergwyngregyn for seven generations and he himself has lived here with his family since 1988. Following 38 years experience in Planning, he recently retired as Development Control Manager with Gwynedd Council Planning Department. He has 12 years experience working on community projects including the £470,000 Yr Hen Felin/The Old Mill renovation project which has delivered a Community Centre, Cafe and Community Club. For this project the Abergwyngregyn Regeneration Company was awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. Currently Chairman and Director of the Abergwyngregyn Regeneration Company, he is also Secretary of Ynni Anafon Energy Cyf.

Jacqui Bugden

Jacqui came to live in Abergwyngregyn in 2011 where she and her partner, Ian, have built a prize-winning new house. Jacqui retired as a psychologist in 2011, having run a business providing psychologist expert witnesses for the Court. Now running a yacht broking business, she has wide experience in business management, human resources, training and presentation and legal issues. She joined the Abergwyngregyn Regeneration Company as a Director in 2012 and has been active in the community ever since, having been a core member of the group developing the Anafon Hydro Project. She is now a Director, with Gavin and Hywel, of Ynni Anafon Energy Cyf.

Coopted Member of the Board

Keith Jones

Keith Jones is the National Trust environmental advisor and is the national specialist for the Trust on hydro development. He has led for the National Trust in the development of 5 completed hydros to date, including the award-winning Hafod y Llan hydro on Snowdon. Keith is a passionate advocate for community renewable energy and is a Director of Ynni Padarn Peris as well as currently assisting in the development of 6 more community energy projects. One of the founders of "Natur", the Welsh Institute of Countryside and Conservation Management, he is also a member of the 'Fit for the Future' UK network. He is this year's Institute of Welsh Affairs 'Environmentalist of the Year'.

Keith has recently taken up an appointment as Government Advisor on Renewables and Community Energy and is a member of the Steering Group of the Community Energy Wales Development Fund.

Technical Consultant to the Ynni Anafon Energy Cyf. Board

John Howarth

John is the Technical Consultant to Ynni Anafon Energy Cyf. He is an independent hydropower engineer with 17 years successful experience in development, design, project management and implementation of hydropower projects in Wales and Scotland. He is a hydropower lecturer on the Renewable Energy MSc course at the Centre for Alternative Technology and is on the Bro Dyfi Community Renewables wind turbine management committee in Machynlleth. He has lived and worked in Mid Wales since 1997. His most recent contract was consultant design engineer and technical project manager for the 650 kW, award winning Hafod y Llan hydro scheme for the National Trust, located on the south side of Snowdon. John was responsible for the project from initial pre-feasibility stage through to construction and commissioning, negotiating all licences and planning permissions, undertaking detailed design, equipment specifications, technical project management and site supervision of construction contractors. He is undertaking the same role for the Anafon project to date, and will continue with the project to construction, completion and subsequent operation and management.