Our
Leadership
Team
Three leaders and nine directors empower a 430 strong team of sustainability change makers at Sustainable Energy First.
Three Leaders
Shaun Clarkson
Managing Director
Shaun studied as a microbiologist, and throughout a well-developed energy career, has always had an eye on his environmental roots. Early in his career he trained as an oil and water analyst, and soon progressed to management level – overseeing business growth in water analysis and leading the integration of environmental compliance subsidiaries into core operations. This culminated in his appointment as an operations director.
Shaun joined Sustainable Energy First (then BiU) in 2018 to strengthen the operational side of the business. He oversaw the growth of the company’s IT infrastructure and software development teams, which has revolutionised what we deliver for clients. In 2019, Shaun was promoted to COO, with the goal to evolve the company’s approach to energy management and challenge the norm in the industry.
Shaun has a long-life passion for the natural world, and he firmly believes that reducing a business’s environmental footprint is both the right choice, and the economic choice.
Anthony Mayall
Managing Director
Anthony entered the energy sector 30 years ago as an electrical engineering apprentice and could be found at times in the depths of a hydro station’s inner workings building out switchgear and control systems. His early years saw him specialise in control systems and product development, which ultimately led him into commercial strategic roles – enabling businesses to thrive in the ever-changing energy and carbon landscape.
With hands-on experience from creating energy efficiency programs, to enabling on-site renewable energy generation, Anthony has a firm belief that you don’t have to sacrifice economics to be environmentally conscious. He’s actively involved in the commercialisation of circa £0.5billion (500MWp) of solar PV projects in the UK.
Alongside his passion for protecting the environment, he has a keen eye for developing excellence in people, as well as rewarding accordingly to provide a sustainable business environment, that in turn builds a better tomorrow.
Paul Connor
Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
Paul joined Sustainable Energy First as Chief Financial Officer in June 2026, bringing more than a decade of board-level financial leadership experience.
Before joining the business, he served as Chief Financial Officer of (then AIM Listed) Inspired PLC since 2013.
He was a key member of the leadership team throughout a period of significant expansion at Inspired and played an important role in the company’s successful acquisition by private equity firm HGGC in 2025.
A Chartered Accountant since 2009, Paul combines strong commercial and financial expertise with a passion for developing people and creating opportunities for colleagues to grow and succeed. He is committed to building high-performing teams and helping businesses achieve long-term, sustainable growth.
Outside of work, Paul enjoys spending time with his two young children and making the most of the outdoors, whether that’s hiking in the countryside or fitting in the occasional run.
Nine directors
Chris Russell
Finance Director (FD)
Yaseen Bahadur
Chief Procurement Officer (CPO)
June Abbott
Victoria Zawistowicz
Director of People & Culture
Angela Jones
Director of Operations
Matt Osborne
Director of Renewable Energy & Origination
Glyn Whelan
Director of Sustainable Solutions
Dan Pardesi
Director of Growth
Nine directors
Chris Russell
Finance Director (FD)
Yaseen Bahadur
Chief Procurement Officer (CPO)
June Abbott
Victoria Zawistowicz
Director of People & Culture
Angela Jones
Director of Operations
Matt Osborne
Director of Renewable Energy & Origination
Glyn Whelan
Director of Sustainable Solutions
Dan Pardesi
Director of Growth
Michael Abbott was an extraordinary leader, innovator and colleague whose influence on both Sustainable Energy First and the wider energy sector will be felt for many years to come.
Throughout a distinguished career spanning more than 35 years, Michael helped shape the modern energy landscape. From his early career in energy consultancy to becoming a recognised industry pioneer, he played a key role in developing flexible procurement strategies and corporate Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), helping organisations navigate a changing market.
Passionate about innovation and progress, Michael remained at the forefront of industry change throughout his career, from energy market deregulation to the growth of renewable generation and electric vehicles. As a driving force behind the evolution of BiU into Sustainable Energy First, he helped position the business for a future focused on sustainability and decarbonisation.
Michael will be remembered for his vision, leadership and unwavering commitment to creating a better energy future. His legacy lives on through the business he helped build, the industry he helped shape, and the many people whose lives and careers he influenced along the way.
Chris joined what was BiU in 2018, where he then progressed to Finance Director in 2020. He is an ICAEW Chartered Accountant with Deloitte, with extensive experience in finance roles across private and listed businesses. Oversees running of finance function and advises board of all finance matters.
As FD, Chris knows first-hand the impact sustainable investment, and policy, have on business operations, as well as potential risks of inaction on climate matters. His goal is to ensure our business, as well as our clients’, thrive economically, as well as environmentally.
Yaseen studied Economics and Mathematics at the University of Manchester in the late 90’s before embarking on a career as a trader in the city of London, where he was exposed to a wide variety of organisations trading a number of financial products. He switched from trading financial to energy products in the mid 2000s and joined Sustainable Energy First (then BiU) where he’s become an industry staple for risk management and energy procurement.
Yaseen continually drives best practice risk management strategies for Sustainable Energy First’s clients with his experienced and skilled energy procurement and risk management team, whose role is to maintain close control of clients energy positions, whilst providing advice on bespoke energy procurement strategies, to control costs for our clients. One of his career highlights was winning the Best Risk Management Product at The Energy Awards.
Yaseen is passionate about educating children about energy to make them aware on how best to reduce their own personal energy cost and consumption. By starting young, he strongly believes we can resolve potential issues we may face in the future.
Two pioneers
Russ Priestley
Co-founder
Chris Jones
Co-founder