Staff
Mark Dowey
Network Lead
Mark is a Chartered Architect who has shifted his focus to climate change through a Masters in Environmental Management. Recent work in the environmental and climate sector include as a Built Environment specialist with CoMoUK (shared transport charity) and working on Architecture and Design Scotland’s Climate Action Towns project.
Victoria Briones
Member & Events Lead
Victoria has dedicated the past decade to community engagement within the Scottish third sector, focusing on supporting marginalized groups of diverse intersectionalities. Her previous work in climate action projects with Edinburgh’s displaced and migrant communities demonstrates her commitment to fostering community connections and sustainable living.
Kaz Lyon
Operations Lead
Kaz qualified as a chartered accountant while at consultants KPMG, and has worked in audit, risk and systems automation at pensions at investments company Aegon. He has been a trustee at the Scottish Refugee Council and other charities, and currently is a trustee at Community Energy Scotland.
Eirini Chatzidaki
Communities Climate Coordinator
Eirini is a Circular Economy advocate who worked as a recruiter before making a career change through a Masters in Environmental Sustainability. In recent years she has worked and volunteered with a number of organisations in the sustainability sector in roles relating to community engagement, operations and business development.
Trustees
Ian Perry
Convener
Ian is a former City of Edinburgh Councillor, and founder of Changeworks, the energy advice service based in Edinburgh. He held numerous Council roles over the past 33 years, including vice-convener of economic development, environment convener, planning convener, deputy leader of the council and education convener.
Christina Hildrew
Trustee
Christina is a governance specialist with a background in community development, advocacy, citizen participation, and policy reform. She brings experience of directing multi-million pound international programmes, grant management and recruitment together with a passion for local action on climate and intergenerational equity.
Ben Carter
Trustee
Ben has lived and worked in Edinburgh on and off since 1987 and is now settled in the city. He has worked in renewables since 2010. Today his job is to focus on how to convert our local energy system from gas boilers to a viable low carbon alternative.
Adrian Barbascumpa
Treasurer
With a robust background in finance, accounting, audit, and legal document review, Adrian brings invaluable expertise to the table. He works to safeguard organisational interests and ensure sound financial management and legal compliance.
Rachel Pidgeon
Trustee
Rachel is an Edinburgh resident and programme manager at a health equity funder, currently leading work to build awareness and agency for people most impacted by air pollution. Rachel has a background in strategic communications and campaigning across a range of social purpose initiatives in the UK and internationally.
Nicola Cooper
Trustee
Nicola is Technology and Digital Innovation Lead at Scottish Care and brings systems-thinking expertise to the organisation. She has held a leadership role for 15 years, working in the third and independent sectors, with colleagues across health, housing, public sector, academia, and industry.
Rebecca Hoffman
Trustee
Originally from Fife, Rebecca is an Edinburgh West resident. She is the National Policy Lead at LGBT Health and Wellbeing where she works alongside the LGBTQ+ community to support the development of equitable and inclusive social policy in Scotland. Rebecca holds a strong belief in the power of intersectional community-led action within the climate justice movement.
Mike Banks
Trustee
Having recently retired from a career as a Mechanical Engineer Mike has 40 years experience across the energy landscape. More recently he gained a second degree in Environmental Management and Technology from the Open University to explore his interest in sustainability. This has led Mike to become involved in a range of renewable and sustainability orientated projects in Europe & Africa.
Volunteers
Josie Bell
I’m an Environment, Culture & Society MSc graduate interested in sustainable food production and urban planning. I’m excited to meet and ECCAN’s members and support in the creation of a more climate and community-focussed Edinburgh.
Zoe Johnstone
I joined as a new volunteer with ECCAN in 2024, hoping to get involved in lots of community activities and initiatives. I’m also a member of staff within Edinburgh’s Public Library Service, and I always try to find ways to bring my interests in local volunteering and public art projects to my day job.
Isabella Claydon
I came to Edinburgh from the west coast to study and have just finished a master’s in environmental humanities. I’m excited to volunteer for ECCAN to act on my studies and contribute to climate action in Edinburgh – Isabella
Gaurav Sharma
I am an architect and interior design who has always had a keen interest in sustainability. I am excited to begin volunteering with ECCAN and want to contribute towards community-led climate action as I strongly believe that big changes happen when we work together as a community.
Harriet Dyke
Hello! My name is Harriet and I volunteer at ECCAN. I moved to Edinburgh to study for an MSc Environmental Sustainability and I stuck around afterwards because I love it here. I’m excited to work with ECCAN to support community-led, environmental action. I hope to help Edinburgh become greener, more resilient, and more climate-conscious.
Athene Robertson
I am a recent graduate from Edinburgh University in English literature and French with a passion for environmental and social justice. I love the city of Edinburgh and cannot think of any better way to start fighting for a brighter future than with the incredible communities and natural world that I have found here. – Athene
Mary Omengala
I’m Mary Omengala, I moved to Edinburgh after my masters from university of Dundee where I studied Environmental law. I am excited to join ECCAN to support Edinburgh community action to achieve friendly and sustainable environment as part of the global climate initiatives.