Meet the Team

The development of deep geothermal projects requires a large team of skilled people from many different sectors. GEL will always try to use local businesses and contractors, where possible. 

GEL has a core team of people behind every project:

our-team

Dr Ryan Law – Founder & CEO

Ryan is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Geothermal Engineering Ltd. He has over twenty years of experience of geothermal energy development from shallow systems to deep fractured rocks. He has a degree in Geology from Oxford University, a Masters in Hydrogeology and a PhD in thermal transport in fractured rock. Before founding Geothermal Engineering in 2008, Ryan worked in the geothermal unit at Ove Arup and Partners Ltd.

David Poe – Chairman

David has been Chairman of the Board since 2010.  He has over forty years of business experience and has served multiple clients throughout the world, primarily through his role as CEO of Edgar Dunn and Company.  He is based in San Francisco and is also Chairman of the Board of ACI, a NASDAQ-listed company and Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Bank of San Francisco.

David Bridgland – Director of Finance

David Bridgland has worked on the financial modelling of geothermal heat and power projects for more than 15 years. He studied engineering at Cambridge University, is a chartered accountant and has worked for a wide range of blue chip and start-up companies.

 

Dr Jonathan Beynon – Executive Director

Dr Jonathan Beynon qualified as a medical doctor and went on to establish a successful business in the health industry. He joined Geothermal Engineering in 2008 as a Director and investor. He works on project compliance and procurement as well as managing engineering and construction contracts. 

Anish Patel – Board Director

Anish Patel is a Partner and Investment Committee member at Kerogen Capital, a $2bn private equity manager focused in the energy space. He has over 15 years investing in and advising various energy companies. Prior to joining Kerogen in 2011, he worked for J.P. Morgan Cazenove in London. Anish holds a degree in Economics and Management from Oxford University.

Tony Wilson – Director of Operations

Tony has a track record of successfully delivering high profile energy, water and utilities projects. His roles have included Head of Utilities on the London Olympic delivery team, Managing Director of EdF Powerlink, which operated and upgraded the London Underground power system, and Construction and Operations Director of Tamar Energy. He has a strong commercial background and the ability to manage multiple stakeholder interests.  Tony lives with his family in a village near Truro.

Pete Jones – Drilling Manager

Pete has been in the oil and gas industry / geothermal industry for more than 35 years, mostly in well operations. He has a degree in Geology and a Masters Degree in Drilling Engineering and has been an associate lecturer on various oil and gas related masters degree subjects thereafter. He has managed many technically challenging operations around the world, often leading small teams to achieve success, delivering safe developments on time and on budget whilst introducing novel new technologies to these operations.

Dr Amy Peach-Gibson – Geothermal Geoscientist

Amy has a MGeol degree from the University of Plymouth. After graduating, she spent time in Mexico as a Volcanology Intern, before returning to the University of Plymouth to take up a postgraduate research studentship in Volcanology. Amy’s interest in volcanic and igneous processes and her love of the South West led her to pursue a career in the UK geothermal industry.

Tom Olver – Project and Research Coordinator

 Tom recently completed a PhD at the University of Bristol, which focused on expanding  the understanding of the evolution and storage of magma beneath Mt. Taranaki, New Zealand, using a range of analytical and experimental techniques. Tom’s experience in academia, in addition to his interests in igneous petrology and UK geology, led him to join GEL in 2023.

 

Jane Charman – Community Engagement &                  Education Manager

Jane started her career in finance, then switched to IT, managing help desks for national and international businesses in retail and manufacturing before moving to manage the internet banking department at the European head office of a large Japanese bank. Jane took a career break to concentrate on her family but has always remained engaged with the local community. She now manages the dissemination of geothermal information to the local community and the education programme.

Fiona Shuttleworth – Community Engagement &          Education Officer

Fiona joined us in 2023 after a long career in education as a primary school teacher. With a particular interest in STEM subjects, she is passionate about the importance of educating our young people and having high expectations for all. A native of Scotland, she moved to Cornwall in 2015 and loves the outdoor lifestyle the county has to offer. 

Charlotte Wilkins – Project Manager

Charlotte is an engineering project manager with experience in a wide variety of projects, including process plants and heavy civil engineering. Starting her career in geotechnical drilling, Charlotte then studied civil engineering at Coventry University, before spending several years working in all types of construction. Since 2012, she has mainly worked in the mining industry.  Charlotte holds NEBOSH and SMSTS safety qualifications. She has a BSc in Physics and is currently studying toward an MSc in Applied Mathematics.

 

Julie Taylor – Office & HR Manager

Julie has a background in construction, education and finance. Having obtained her BSc at Plymouth University, she gained a graduate placement in the finance sector, where she remained in the South West working within business and corporate banking. She relocated to Cornwall in 2004, for family and her career developed into the educational and construction sector. Julie joined the GEL team in 2023 to support our continued growth in renewable energy production.

 

Fiona Stokes – Finance Manager

Fiona is a qualified bookkeeper and business administrator, with experience across various industries and countries. She joined the GEL  team in 2023. Fiona loves working in a supportive role, contributing to the development and growth strategies of businesses. She knows people play a big part in this and champions collaborative working to promote the best outcomes, not only for the business but also for each person within it.

Will Page – Planning Coordinator

Will joined the team after spending 7 years as a Landscape Architect working for a multi-disciplinary planning consultancy in Gloucestershire. He has a wealth of experience working on projects across the South West, including, renewables; mineral extraction and restoration; mixed use schemes; and other forms of rural development. He is the process of concluding a Masters in Urban and Regional Development from Cardiff University.