Energy company appoints board from 1000 school aged applicants
Good Energy appoints six secondary school children to a new board to hold the company to account on protecting their futures
Clean power company Good Energy is announcing today that it has appointed six school aged young people to its new Good Future Board. The youth board, created to mirror its existing ‘grown-up’ board, has been set up to feed into how the company is run, offering unique perspectives and ensuring the company delivers on its promise to help protect their futures.
Working with environmental educational charity Eco-Schools, the search for the Good Future Board was launched in November 2020. Having received nearly 1,000 applications from secondary schoolc hildren across the country, Eco-Schools narrowed to a shortlist of 24 which was then voted on by a panel at Good Energy, as well as the existing board.
New board member Ada Wood, aged 14, from Cumbria, said “I am a climate activist because I am scared, I’m by necessity invested in my future. In this board I see an opportunity to seriously affect outcomes for the world whose future is so seriously in danger. It was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.”
Jack Solly, aged 12 and from Devon, said “I can bring a lot to your Good Future Board through being thoughtful, having enthusiasm, a practical mind and the ability to make sensible, informed decisions.”
Mahnoor Kamran brings a new insight to Chippenham-based Good Energy, the 16-year-old having lived in various parts of South Asia and the Middle East for most of her life where she saw both the present day fossil fuel industry and the effects of climate change firsthand. She said “Local green energy companies should work alongside those from around the world and offer affordable energy to those from lower socio-economic backgrounds. This is the only way we can make green energy accessible and successful, how can we move towards a healthier future if those that are disadvantaged are marginalized?”
Good Energy’s Founder Juliet Davenport chaired the first meeting of the Good Future Board on Friday 9th April 2021. She said “We are the energy company that promises about the future, so it was about time we start putting that promise into practice. It has been amazing to see the response we got from opening applications, and we could not have hoped for a more passionate, insightful and brilliant new board. The opportunities for us to learn from them are endless.”
In their first meeting, the Good Future Board were given an introduction and question and answer session with Juliet, an insight into Good Energy’s future products, its plans for working with subsidiary electric vehicle app Zap-Map and asked to input on the company’s diversity and inclusion programme.
Shaina Shah, aged 13 from London, said “With this I really feel I have the opportunity to share ideas and work with other people who aren’t just my own age.”
17-year-old Akash Thaker, from Leicester, said “I’m excited about the opportunity to work with such an inspiring company like Good Energy by joining the Good Future Board. I bring a passion for sustainability, problem-solving skills, excellent communication skills and hands-on experience. All of which will allow me to contribute ideas and help scrutinise your business strategy.”
Kathryn Gornall, 15, is a member of the Chester Youth Parliament, she said of her application to the Good Future Board: “I wanted to be part of something that would make change on a larger scale. Everyone can do small things. I can wash Marmite out of jars, wear bamboo sock and bring my bag for life to Sainsbury’s all I want — those are really important but will not stop the climate crisis. It’s what we do collectively, as in big businesses, that can really make a dent in climate emissions.”