Dave Sowden graduated in Electrical and Electronic Engineering before joining the National Grid. His early career was spent as an electrical engineer with the National Grid, where he spent most of his early career. His last six years were spent working in network regulation, transmission pricing and European energy liberalisation.

After a brief period as Transco's Public Affairs Manager he moved to Microgen, the BG Group subsidiary developing a Stirling Engine-based microCHP, where he became Head of Regulation and Corporate Affairs until October 2004.

Dave has been the Council's Chief Executive since its formation in April 2004. He is a member of the Ofgem / DTI Distributed Generation Technical Steering Group and Director of its Microgeneration Workstream. He is also an adviser to the SBGI's Domestic CHP Steering Group, and runs his own consultancy business specialising in Regulation and Public Policy in the Sustainable Energy sector.