Meet the Team

Our team is led by three professionals who have over 60 years combined experience in managing projects.

Meet the Team

Mark Rayner

Mark has over 20 years in the renewable energy sector, with a broad range of experience in business development, consulting, construction and strategic planning. Mark has been involved in projects all across Australia and has experience with a wide range of technologies.  Mark’s university degree in engineering, furthered by his Masters studies, has provided him with excellent analytical and problem solving skills. These skills, combined with his passion for renewable energy and his ability to relate and empathise with people, has allowed him to lead and inspire teams in the successful development of a number of renewable energy projects.

Mark has an in depth understanding of all facets of renewable energy project development including: resource analysis, technology assessment, economics and financial modelling, offtake arrangements, transmission network access arrangements, EPC and O&M contractual negotiations, land and environmental/development approvals, and stakeholder relations (government, local and media).

Mark has excellent communication and presentation skills, strong analytical and problem solving capability and the ability to lead and manage project teams within a high pressure environment. Mark has  a successful track record of taking projects from inception through to financial close.

In his spare time Mark likes spending time with his young family and getting out on his bike

James Townsend

James holds a Masters in Renewable Energy Systems Technology from Loughborough University (UK) and is a Certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and PRINCE2 Practitioner.

He has 20 years’ experience developing renewable energy projects in the UK, Europe and Western Australia and has a broad in-depth of knowledge in managing projects from concept to operation.

James is highly experienced in motivating and project managing multi-disciplinary teams and very competent in negotiating the requirements of all stakeholders to achieve a successfully operational project.

James has worked in varying roles within small start-up and large multinational organisations and has used his enthusiasm, commercial acumen, technical ability and relationships to achieve project successes.

James is active within the renewable industry and has been a member of the Clean Energy Council’s Wind Directorate and of the RenewableUK’s Aviation Strategy Group and Onshore Wind Farm Development Group.

Paul Zani

 

 

Paul has a comprehensive work background in the construction, mining and resources sector. The 12 years prior to joining the Lacour team, he was engaged predominantly in commercial roles with significant time on site supporting very large multinational mining projects. He has recently completed an MBA, further developing a keen passion for quality project management and development.

Paul has been involved in multiple feasibility studies as well as being immersed in complicated construction builds particularly focusing on contractual negotiations and management.

Previous experience involving sourcing power solutions for major projects gave Paul a valuable appreciation for the amazing potential of renewable resources which helped him decide to join the Lacour team to develop renewable energy projects.

When Paul has any spare time, he loves being with his wife and children and riding his bike up hills.