DIRECTORS | FRECo

Our Directors

FRECo is shaped and guided by local people. As a community-owned, democratic organisation, we are led by a volunteer board of directors who share a commitment to creating a cleaner, fairer and more resilient energy future for Frome.

Our directors bring a wide range of skills, experience and perspectives. Together, they help set FRECo's strategic direction, oversee renewable energy projects, safeguard members' interests and ensure that any surplus is reinvested for community benefit. As a member-led society, transparency and accountability are at the heart of our approach.

We are looking for new volunteer directors to join us and help shape FRECo’s next phase. People from all backgrounds are welcome, and we value a wide range of skills, experiences and perspectives. We are especially keen to hear from those with financial, accounting, investment, communications or community engagement experience.

Below, you can learn more about the people helping to grow community-owned energy and deliver lasting benefits for Frome.

Peter Macfadyen has been involved in social justice work for nearly 50 years, with a growing focus on environmental action over recent decades. He initiated Frome’s Transition movement and has been a central figure in many of the town’s green initiatives, including as a founding director of FRECo. Much of Peter’s contribution today comes through his deep knowledge of the town, long-standing relationships, and ability to connect people, ideas and opportunities.

Peter lives in Frome, where he also founded Sustainable Frome and helped initiate Independents for Frome, serving as Mayor in 2014 to 2015. He was part of the group that transformed Frome Town Council in 2011, an experience that led to the Flatpack Democracy movement and book. At heart, Peter remains motivated by the same simple question: how communities can work together better, with care, creativity and shared purpose.

Liz Warren has worked in the sustainable energy sector for over 20 years, collaborating with national, regional and local government, social housing providers, businesses and communities across the UK. Her work focuses on bringing people together to explore practical options for energy efficiency, renewable energy and heat networks. She is also a co-founder of Connecting Women in District Heating, an international network supporting women and other under-represented groups in the energy sector.

Liz was a Frome Town Councillor from 2019 to 2022. When she’s not working on energy or community projects, she can often be found co-ordinating the Frome Film Quiz or playing keyboards in local covers band Bellatrix.

Nikki Brain first supported FRECo during her time as Resilience Manager at Frome Town Council and later joined the board as a director. She has over ten years’ experience in the renewable energy sector, including as founder and director of Power Up North London, another community energy organisation. Nikki now leads the Energy Transformation programme at Bath and North East Somerset Council.

Outside of work, Nikki enjoys getting outdoors, particularly cycling and climbing. She has lived in Frome since 2020 and now firmly thinks of it as home.

Alison Turnbull was responsible for overseeing the development of FRECo’s two renewable assets, the Frome Medical Practice and the Frome Town Football Club. With other FRECo Directors, she supports our Operation and Maintenance contractor to help deliver the optimum performance from these assets. In addition, she provides some technical oversight to the development of new renewable assets.

Jonathan Powell is Operations Director at FRECo, where he looks after the maintenance and operation of FRECo’s solar arrays. With a background in renewable energy systems, including building his own eco house, and over 40 years’ experience in technology, he plays a key role in keeping FRECo’s low-energy lights on.

Jonathan is a long-time resident of Frome and remembers when the Fire Station and Westway were built. He is also a director of the Natural Beekeeping Trust, an organisation that promotes natural ecosystems for honey bees and bee-centred approaches to beekeeping.

Will Reynolds joined FRECo in 2025 after completing an MSc in Sustainability and Adaptation at the Centre for Alternative Technology. He works as Renewable Energy Coordinator at Frome Town Council, supporting residents, community groups and local businesses to improve energy efficiency and install renewables, particularly rooftop solar. At FRECo, his focus is on developing new projects to bring more renewable energy to Frome.

Will grew up in Frome and is pleased to have come home. When he’s not working, he can often be found in the garden growing food, wild camping or hill walking. He is also a carbon literacy trainer, sustainability consultant and professional theatre designer, with a deep interest in the stories that shape our everyday lives.

Clephane Compton is primarily engaged with the giving side of FRECo, helping assess how the Community Fund can be delivered locally for maximum social and environmental impact. He has worked in sustainable business for over 20 years, including as an independent consultant in the hospitality sector, a business owner in the organic fertiliser market, and more recently in community engagement, domestic retrofit and energy efficiency technology.

Outside of work, Clephane enjoys turning compost with Loop:Frome, tending his garden, and going on walks with his family in and around Frome.

Linnea Hopkins joined FRECo in 2025 as Communications Director, looking after storytelling, engagement and how FRECo shows up in the world. With a background in energy, marketing and community work, she enjoys translating complex systems into clear, meaningful stories that help people feel connected to community-owned energy in Frome.

Outside of work, Linnea is currently travelling and worldschooling her three children, using the adventure as a chance to learn, unlearn and rethink how their family lives.