Leading law firm Cobbetts LLP has appointed respected environmental policy adviser and commercial solicitor, Hugh Goulbourne, to spearhead the development of its low carbon energy practice. Goulbourne qualified into the competition and trade practice at Herbert Smith LLP in 2004 but, since then, has developed considerable expertise through a range of third sector and policy activities in the environmental sustainability, low carbon, and energy efficiency sectors.

According to Goulbourne, Cobbetts offered a once in a lifetime opportunity to build on his professional and third sector experience: "Cobbetts is one of the few UK firms with the breadth and depth of legal practice experience to be able to provide a seamless service to private, public and third sector clients.

“The low carbon agenda is about clean coal, renewables and biofuels. But, it will also mean a revolution in the infrastructure and planning of our schools, homes, hospitals, clubs, transport and energy and raises challenging issues about ownership and funding. At Cobbetts, we work with, and have the ability to understand, clients in all of these sectors, as well as having unique expertise in the field of community participation. This will enable us to assist in financing and project managing the complex legal relationships that will be needed if we are to deliver the low carbon agenda.”

Goulbourne, who was previously in-house Counsel at APACS, the UK Payments Association, has developed his expertise through a range of co-opted positions. He has worked on a fuel poverty and district heating project in Shoreditch, advised London Borough of Hackney Council on renewables projects, and in 2008 published a policy paper for the UK Government, Waste not Want not. Between June 2008 and April 2009, he advised a coalition of investors and environmental pressure groups in their successful bid to ensure the creation of a world leading system of regulations and incentives for clean coal technologies.

Commenting on the appointment, head of Cobbetts’ commercial team, Paul Johnson, said: "Making the transition to the low carbon economy is a key concern for many of our clients and the team is very excited about working with Hugh to further develop our credentials in this particular field. He has an impressive career history and a wealth of knowledge across a range of sectors. Hugh’s experience, coupled with his passion for the sustainability agenda, will be a welcome addition to what is already a highly experienced and diverse legal practice.”

Picture caption: Hugh Goulbourne