On the Move: Rodgers Leask; Exeter Science Park; Future Ambition

Engineering consultancy Rodgers Leask has welcomed associate transport planner Joanna Read to its Bristol office.

Alongside playing a pivotal role in shaping Rodgers Leask’s transport planning offering in the South West, Read’s new role will also see her laying the groundwork for a solid pipeline of renewable energy projects.

With a 25-year career in transport planning and development across public and private sector roles, she brings significant experience working in both smaller consultancies and major firms, including over ten years with SLR Consulting. Her extensive work in the renewables sector includes solar farms, battery energy storage systems, onshore and offshore wind farms and energy infrastructure projects.

She said: “Joining Rodgers Leask presents an exciting opportunity to contribute to both the established and emerging sectors we work in. There are growing opportunities in the renewables sector, particularly in the South West, and expanding our capabilities in this area will support our long term plan for sustainable growth in the region.”

“Having worked on complex projects throughout my career, from large scale residential schemes to wind turbine transport and HGV routing in Scotland, I’m looking forward to collaborating with our teams, in Bristol and across all our offices nationwide, to deliver more impactful projects.”

Dave Bathurst, regional director at Rodgers Leask’s Bristol office, said: “Joanna’s mix of technical skill, sector insight and collaborative mindset is a brilliant fit for our growth strategy, and we’re thrilled to have her onboard. As we push into the renewables space and expand our transport planning offering, her arrival significantly boosts our ability to take on projects as a multidisciplinary office.

“Our Bristol office has seen steady growth in recent years and with Joanna’s appointment and the talented team already in place we’re excited to see how we can expand our capabilities, strengthen existing relationships and build new connections.”

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Sarah Birbeck has joined Exeter Science Park as digital marketing and events executive.

She brings a wide variety of marketing experience to Exeter Science Park, having worked in similar roles in charity, tourism, theatre and clothing industries.

Jason Buck, senior business development manager at Exeter Science Park, said: “It is fantastic to welcome Sarah to the team. As well as looking after all the Exeter Science Park’s digital communication, she will be developing our range of community events and undertaking the marketing of our conference and event space to key industry targets.

“We hold regular events at the Science Park Centre, for both tenants and regional and national external organisations. With the addition of the new net zero voco Zeal Exeter Science Park hotel opening on our site, we anticipate there will be even greater demand for our meeting and conference facilities.”

Exeter Science Park employs around 700 people across various high-growth businesses and contributes £48.5m GVA to the regional economy annually. As well as high quality office and laboratory space, it has a thriving community, public café and conference and meeting space.

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A new independent chair has been appointed to the Future Ambition Board for Bath and North East Somerset – a partner organisation that is helping make the area a fair, green, creative and connected place.

Sonya Chowdhury will chair the Future Ambition Board (FAB) which is a partnership of the Royal United Hospitals, Bath; Curo; the University of Bath; Bath Spa University, Third Sector providers, Bath & North East Somerset Council, business and other networks.

Chowdhury brings more than 25 years professional, management and leadership experience and has extensive board experience. She is chief executive of the charity, Action for M.E. and she co-founded and co-chairs the World ME Alliance for ME/CFS. She previously held the role of non-executive director at Curo Group.

Chowdhury said: “I am delighted to be appointed to the role of chair and excited to work with the Future Ambition Board partners to positively impact the lives of people in Bath and North East Somerset. The board’s work will build on the Civic Agreement where partners have signed up to work better together and consolidate strengths for the benefit of all our communities.”

The chair’s responsibilities include promoting a positive and creative environment for the board’s partners; helping the partnership to articulate its vision and purpose within the region and beyond; and helping to retain strategic focus around the One Shared Vision, which the partnership has been collaborating on since 2020.

The Future Ambition Board has also been leading efforts to deliver Bath and North East Somerset’s new Economic Strategy, with higher wages, boosted productivity, greener businesses and more affordable housing.