RGFI Announces New Board and Strategic Direction as Sector Moves from Policy to Delivery

[23 July 2025] The Renewable Gas Forum Ireland (RGFI), Ireland’s national co-ordination body for renewable gas, anaerobic digestion (AD) biomethane, and related by-products, has announced a new Board of Directors to lead the organisation into its next phase of growth.

With expertise spanning the dairy, on and off-grid energy sectors, as well as certification, sustainability, and innovation, the new leadership team reflects the full biomethane and renewable gas value chain.

The new Board members are:

– Sean Campbell, Natural Resources Business Manager, SGS – Chair
– Dr Anne Marie Henihan, Centre Director, Dairy Processing Technology Centre – Vice Chair
– Julian Beatty, Managing Director, NovaQ
– Padraig Fleming, Biomethane Programme Manager, Gas Networks Ireland
– Aoife Grant, Head of Commercial Strategy, Flogas
– Catherine Hannon, Head of Public Affairs and Sustainability, Calor Ireland
– Paul Murphy, MD, Climeaction

–  PJ McCarthy, CEO, RGFI (Executive Director)

 

The appointment of a new Board marks a pivotal moment for RGFI and its members – as the focus shifts from shaping policy to accelerating delivery on the ground. With the Government’s approval of the Renewable Heat Obligation (RHO)—a policy long championed by RGFI—the Forum enters a critical implementation phase for Ireland’s biomethane strategy.

Sean Campbell, Natural Resources Business Manager, SGS Ireland, was elected Chair of the Board.  SGS is a global leader in standard certification and compliance, and Sean brings a strong track record in environmental governance, verification, and sustainability assurance to the position.  Dr Anne Marie Henihan, Centre Director of the Dairy Processing Technology Centre (DPTC), was elected Vice Chair.  The DPTC is an industry–academic collaboration focused on innovation and sustainability in dairy processing. Anne Marie brings deep expertise in applied research, sector decarbonisation, and stakeholder engagement across one of Ireland’s most important indigenous industries.

 

 

Tribute to Outgoing Chair JP Prendergast

At the inaugural meeting of the new Board last week, the Board and management of RGFI paid warm tribute to JP Prendergast, who stepped down as Chair following seven years of committed service and leadership.

JP has been central to RGFI’s mission since its foundation in 2014, which he co-established with PJ McCarthy. He has led with conviction and vision, helping RGFI become a respected voice for rural, community-driven renewable energy and a significant contributor to Ireland’s National Biomethane Strategy, launched in 2024 and proposed AD Charter

As a champion of Ireland’s first community-owned renewable electricity supplier, Community Power, JP brought a strong community ethos and deep understanding of the renewable energy transition to RGFI.

“JP has made an enduring contribution to RGFI and to the wider renewable energy movement in Ireland,” said incoming Chair, Sean Campbell. “His belief in bringing communities with us on the journey, and his passion for fair, locally grounded solutions to climate and energy challenges, has left an indelible mark on our organisation.”

JP also played a key role in advocating biomethane’s potential to decarbonise thermal energy, support regenerative farming through organic fertiliser use, and deliver tangible environmental, economic, and social benefits to rural Ireland.

Acknowledging Technical Expertise and Continuity

Also stepping down from the Board are Dr James McGreer (Nova UCD) and Seamus Crickley (Chairman, WEW Engineering), whose technical insight and depth of  knowledge in the sector were instrumental in RGFI’s evolution and influence on direction, policy and legislation.

In recognition of their contribution, and to ensure continuity of expertise, the Board has established a Technical Advisory Group, which will include JP Prendergast, Dr McGreer, and Mr Crickley.

New Phase for RGFI

The Board is tasked with setting a new strategic vision for RGFI to support members in their biomethane and renewable gas ambitions and to advance the growth of a sustainable circular bioeconomy. At its July meeting, the Board initiated a strategic review, a process to be informed by member engagement and aligned with RGFI’s ambition to lead the delivery of sustainable, affordable and secure renewable gas and biomethane, anchored in Ireland’s farming, food, and energy systems.

 

The Board will play a strategic role in guiding RGFI’s engagement with policymakers, ensuring for example, that the recently announced RHO delivers for early-stage biomethane developers and prioritises domestic, sustainable supply.

Its leadership will also support the scale-up of anaerobic digestion and other renewable gases and the development of long-term investment frameworks aligned with national and EU decarbonisation targets.

“The momentum is real – and the opportunity is now,” said PJ McCarthy, CEO of RGFI. “RGFI has helped shape policy; the challenge ahead is to build capacity, mobilise investment, and work with Government and industry to deliver on the ground. The new Board reflects the breadth of our sector and brings a strong mix of technical, industrial, commercial, and strategic leadership.”

About RGFI

The Renewable Gas Forum Ireland (RGFI) is the national membership organisation advocating for the development of a renewable gas industry in Ireland, with a focus on anaerobic digestion (AD) biomethane. RGFI represents stakeholders across the full supply chain – from farmers and developers to researchers, utilities, community organisations, and major industrial gas users in the food and transport sectors.

RGFI supports the integration of biomethane and renewable gas into Ireland’s energy system as a key enabler of decarbonisation, circular bioeconomy growth, and rural resilience.

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