The Renewable Gas Forum Ireland (RGFI) has announced a new board of directors to lead the organisation into its "next phase of growth".

The RGFI is Ireland’s national co-ordination body for renewable gas, anaerobic digestion biomethane, and related by-products.

The appointment of a new board "marks a pivotal moment" for RGFI and its members, according to the forum, as the "focus shifts from shaping policy to accelerating delivery on the ground".

With the government’s recent approval of the Renewable Heat Obligation (RHO), the forum enters a "critical implementation phase" for Ireland’s biomethane strategy.

Sean Campbell, natural resources business manager, SGS Ireland, has been elected chair of the board. 

SGS is a global provider in standard certification and compliance, and Campbell brings experience in environmental governance, verification, and sustainability assurance.

Anne Marie Henihan, centre director of the Dairy Processing Technology Centre (DPTC), has been elected vice chair. 

The DPTC is an industry–academic collaboration focused on innovation and sustainability in dairy processing.

Henihan brings expertise in applied research, sector decarbonisation, and stakeholder engagement across one of Ireland’s most important indigenous industries.

At the inaugural meeting of the new board last week, the board and management of RGFI paid tribute to JP Prendergast, who stepped down as chair following seven years in the role.

Prendergast has "been central to RGFI’s mission since its foundation in 2014", which he co-established with PJ McCarthy.

He has helped RGFI become a voice for rural, community-driven renewable energy and a significant contributor to Ireland’s National Biomethane Strategy, launched in 2024 and proposed anaerobic digestion charter, according to the forum.

He has been acknowledged for also playing a key role in advocating biomethane’s potential to decarbonise thermal energy, support regenerative farming through organic fertiliser use, and deliver tangible environmental, economic, and social benefits to rural Ireland.

Also stepping down from the board are James McGreer (Nova UCD) and Seamus Crickley (chair, WEW Engineering).In recognition of their contribution, and to ensure continuity of expertise, the board has established a Technical Advisory Group, which will include Prendergast, McGreer, and Crickley.

Other new board members are:

Julian Beatty, managing director, Nova Q;
Padraig Fleming, biomethane programme manager, Gas Networks Ireland;
Aoife Grant, head of commercial strategy, Flogas;
Catherine Hannon, head of public affairs and sustainability, Calor Ireland;
Paul Murphy, founder, Climeaction;
PJ McCarthy, CEO, RGFI (executive director)

The RGFI board has been tasked with setting a new strategic vision for the forum to "support members in their biomethane and renewable gas ambitions and to advance the growth of a sustainable circular bioeconomy".

"At its July meeting, the board initiated a strategic review, a process to be informed by member engagement and aligned with RGFI’s ambition to lead the delivery of sustainable, affordable and secure renewable gas and biomethane, anchored in Ireland’s farming, food, and energy systems," the RGFI said.

"The board will play a strategic role in guiding RGFI’s engagement with policymakers, ensuring for example, that the recently announced RHO delivers for early-stage biomethane developers and prioritises domestic, sustainable supply.

"Its leadership will also support the scale-up of anaerobic digestion and other renewable gases and the development of long-term investment frameworks aligned with national and EU decarbonisation targets."