Richard Arnold is Head of Energy at Brevia with over 10 years of energy policy, public affairs and communications experience.  He is also active in the Labour Party and served on Liz Kendall’s campaign team when she ran for Leader of the Party in 2015 and currently sits on the Labour in Communications Net Zero, Energy and Infrastructure Group.

Since 2011, Richard has worked both in-house and at consultancies supporting organisations in the energy sector including SSE plc and the UK Marine Energy Council.  At SSE plc, Richard was appointed Head of External Relations (Networks) in 2018 where he oversaw policy, public affairs and communication engagement strategies for its network business, created the International Community for Local Smart Grids, and established key policy positions on the electrification of transport and heat.  Prior to this, he was SSE’s European Affairs Manager where he influenced the outcome of the EU’s Clean Energy Package, led SSE’s Brexit preparations, and managed the company’s vice-presidency of Eurelectric.

Richard joined the UK Marine Energy Council (MEC), the trade association for tidal stream and wave energy, as its Policy Director in January 2022.  He managed the MEC’s transition to a membership-fee organisation whilst establishing it as the trusted industry voice for the UK Government and devolved administrations. As Policy Director, he gave evidence to the BEIS Select Committee, secured policy support to advance industry interests including a ringfence in the latest renewable auction and presented at conferences across Europe.

Richard began his career at a global communications agency where his clients included Centrica, Veolia, Good Energy and Tidal Lagoon Power.  

He has an MPhil in International Relations from Cambridge University and a first in Modern History and Politics from Cardiff University.