We welcome a new hire to the Secretariat

IMCA is pleased to announce the appointment of Sophia Haywood as Director of Policy and Advocacy, a new senior leadership appointment to the Secretariat. 

Sophia brings over 11 years of experience in shaping policy and developing impactful campaigns in the energy, renewables and not-for-profit sectors. She has successfully designed and implemented advocacy strategies across a variety of sectors in the UK, EU and internationally, influencing legislation and achieving regulatory change.  

Prior to joining IMCA, Sophia has held multiple senior leadership roles across a variety of not-for-profit, trade associations and start-ups. Most recently, she served as Director of EU and UK Government Affairs, Policy and Sustainability at LanzaJet, a Time 100 Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) company, where she implemented public affairs strategies for SAF projects, engaging extensively with national, European and international policy makers. 

Prior to LanzaJet, she held the position of Director of Advocacy and Communications at Dimeta, overseeing the development and execution of advocacy and communications strategies across the UK, EU and United States, and as Director of Public Affairs at Liquid Gas UK, where she spearhead the Liquified Petroluem Gas (LPG) sector’s work on Net Zero, developing the industry’s 2040 Vision and Pathway to Net Zero. 

Sophia has also held a variety of board and voluntary positions throughout her career, including as Non-Executive Director of the Renewable Transport Fuel Association, Vice Chair at Emerging Leaders in Sustainable Aviation (ELSA), and as Chair and Vice Chair of the European Advanced Biofuels Coalition. 

In her new role, Sophia will lead the development and delivery of IMCA's policy and advocacy efforts, representing our interests to governments, regulators and key stakeholders, and ensuring that Member and organisational priorities are reflected in policy and legislative developments worldwide.