New head of energy, infrastructure, and natural resources at Clarke Willmott
Laurence Lacey has been appointed head of energy, infrastructure, and natural resources at national law firm Clarke Willmott LLP.
Laurence, a partner in commercial property based in the Bristol office, has been at the firm since 2007 and has been involved in the energy sector since his qualification in 2003.
Laurence stepped in to lead the Energy, Infrastructure and Natural Resources sector team at Clarke Willmott following the retirement of predecessor partner Priscilla Hall. Under Laurence’s leadership, the team aims to build on her legacy and expand the firm’s impact in the energy, infrastructure, and natural resources sectors at a time when the market and interest in sustainable energy is ever-increasing.
Laurence began his career in 2001 at Watson, Farley & Williams focusing on green technologies including wind and the generation of power using methane from capped, disused landfill sites.
After joining Clarke Willmott, Laurence initially worked on the repowering of wind farms, as well as supporting both developers and landowners to build new solar farms supported by the previous feed-in tariff subsidy regime.
In recent years, his own, and the team’s focus has been in advising on the development, funding, acquisition and disposal of solar and battery storage projects, as well as district heating schemes, biogas generation, waste to energy and new renewable-powered hydrogen projects – a first for the firm – in Wales.
Laurence said: “We do a lot of work for energy developers as well as for house builders and property developers, as planning and legislative requirements mean that new developments need to be as low carbon as possible.”
“Alongside the development of energy projects, such as solar, battery storage and hydrogen, we also get involved in district heating schemes, including here in Bristol, and advising on the impact of some of the new credit trading schemes. This work sits alongside our involvement in major infrastructure projects, such as the Newquay Strategic Route, where we provide advice on site assembly, development and funding (including by way of grant).”
The work of the sector team closely aligns with Clarke Willmott’s broader sustainability goals, exemplified by the firm’s new 100% renewable energy powered office in Bristol, which utilises the Bristol Heat Network, an innovative underground system that reduces carbon emissions through low-carbon heat and energy.
Clarke Willmott brings a long-term proven track record in sustainable energy, natural resources and infrastructure projects. The team includes industry and legal specialists in property, banking and finance, construction, corporate, planning and the environment, and employment and HR.
The sector team comprises a core group of ten partners – Bethan Evans, Brendan Ryan, Clare Gregory, James Driver, John Flint, Harriet Atkin, Laurence Lacey, Michelle Spark, Tim Williamson and Stephen Green.
Clarke Willmott is a national law firm with offices in Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, London, Manchester, Southampton, and Taunton.
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