Dr. Robin Bidwell, CBE

Robin Bidwell is Group President of ERM. Over the past 30 years he has had a key role in building and leading ERM. For much of that period, he has been an active consultant advising on sustainable development and related issues. He is currently a non-executive member of Ofgem (GEMA) where he chairs the Sustainable Development Committee of the Authority. 

He is Chairman of the ERM Foundation’s Global Council and Chairman of the Green Alliance (a UK-based NGO).

He was awarded a CBE in 1999 for services to the environment.  His degrees are in Natural Sciences (Oxford), Management Economics (Bradford).

Principal Career:  ERM

As a Founding Partner, Chairman and Chief Executive of ERM, he was responsible for building the consultancy practice in the UK and subsequently ERM’s global practice. ERM is the largest all-environment consultancy in the world with offices in over 40 countries and around 3,500 staff. It advises government and multi-nationals on environmental strategy, impact assessment, sustainability & climate change, pollution control & cleanup, risk assessment etc.  In 2001, he negotiated the restructuring of the company converting a partnership into a shareholding company and bringing in a London-based financial institution (3i) as an external shareholder. He led the buyout team when Bridgepoint became a major investor in 2005.

As an environmental professional, Dr Bidwell has been responsible for leading major impact and strategy studies for major multinational companies, for the European Commission, World Bank and other governments. This work has covered major ESHIAs, climate change, implications of environmental regulatory change (he was a member of the EC Taskforce on the environmental implications of the single market), making sustainable development operational  and many other topics.

Other activities

• Ofgem (GEMA):  joined GEMA in 2003. As a member of the Authority played an active role in investment in the power sector, price controls (member of price control review group), renewables, security of supply, etc).  Was asked to chair the Authority’s standing committee on Sustainable Development (includes 3 non-execs, chief executive and two division heads).  Initiated first SD report for Authority and committee, has advised on metering, green tariffs, renewables, heat etc.
• The Green Alliance: Chairman of the Board of Trustees since 2008, previously a trustee.
• World Business Council for Sustainable Development for ERM since 1993: Council member and co-chair of the Development Focus Group.
• Advisor to the International Business Leaders’ Forum since 1994

Previous activities

• EU High Level Group on Competitiveness, Energy and the Environment (2006-8). Was asked in a personal capacity to join 25-person group (including 4 Commissioners) as a ‘specialist in technology uptake’.  Played an active role with inputs on emissions trading (particularly shape of post-2012 scheme), innovation and incentives and international partnerships.
• Investment trusts (plc’s):  Served as a non-executive director of two investment trusts:  Commercial Union investment trust on Environmental Technologies (CUET 1992-2000); and Impax Investment – primarily renewable sector (2001-2003); resigned when joined Ofgem). 
• Council member of the Natural Environment Research Council (distributes government research funds) (1996-2002).
• Member of UK Government Advisory Committee on Business and the Environment (1999-2003).  Member of UK Government Round Table on Sustainable Development (1998-2001).