Martin Freer is head of Nuclear Physics, and Director of the Birmingham Energy Institute (BEI) at the University of Birmingham. He is also Director of the Energy Research Accelerator (ERA), which comprises eight internationally-renowned Midlands universities which are part of the Midlands Innovation partnership, together with the British Geological Survey. Martin is former Director of the Birmingham Centre for Nuclear Education and Research, which he established in 2010. He has overseen the development of the BEI, helped establish Energy Capital and has co-led the establishment of the joint University of Birmingham–Fraunhofer Germany research platform. In 2015 he co-led the BEI Commission “Doing Cold Smarter” chaired by Lord Teverson, and in 2012 he led the Policy Commission “Future of Nuclear Energy in the UK” chaired by Lord Hunt. His main research area is the study of the structure of light nuclei, using nuclear reactions. He received the Friedrich Wilhelm Bessel Prize, Humboldt Foundation, in 2004 and the Rutherford Medal in 2010.

Stephen has spent his career getting his hands dirty in the waste, resources and renewable energy sectors with 20 years at a senior level with experience covering development, operations, engineering and design. Stephen has an Engineering Doctorate and 1st class BSc from Cranfield University. Stephen has worked for a number of well know waste, resources and renewable energy operators and consultants and has overseen the design, delivery and operation of over £500m of infrastructure. Stephen is currently working on projects that cover bioenergy plants in Ireland and the UK, RDF quality and contractual disputes. Stephen takes an active role within the sector and is a Director of both Cre and the IBioIC, an industrial advisor for Cranfield University and an active member of CIWM, and IWMA.