Founders Biographies

Michael R Ashburn, Bsc

Mike Ashburn is one of the founders of ClearWorld Energy and serves as chairman of the company. Mike has lived in Asia since 1986 and in Beijing since 1999, focused throughout on the energy and infrastructure sectors. In 1996, he co-founded Peak Pacific Investment Company and served as COO of the company, developing and managing ten Chinese joint venture power companies. Within Asia and specifically China, his career has comprised: General management, Infrastructure project development, Electric power technology, M&A in China, Construction contracting, Fund raising.

For ClearWorld Energy, Mike has developed and financed clean energy projects and CDM projects, established the commercial and contractual basis for the company’s carbon business and directed the merger and formation of Camco, including its China based advisory and ventures practices. Mike now focuses on strategic development and co-ordination of the company’s various businesses ensuring sound, consistent management and maximum synergies.

Dr. Alex Westlake, PhD, BSc, CEng, MIEE

Dr. Alex Westlake is Managing Director and one of the founders of ClearWorld Energy. Alex is based permanently in Beijing, where he has worked since 1998. Alex has ten year’s experience in renewable energy technology development and the utility sector both in UK and Asia, with firms PowerGen (UK, now E.On) and IT Power (UK). Alex has a PhD in Wind Energy and is a Chartered Member of the Institution of Electrical Engineers.

Alex is considered to be a leading expert in clean energy and the Clean Development Mechanism in China. Alex was integral to the development of China’s first CDM project – the Huitengxile Windfarm Project, which is also the first wind project to be registered globally and has developed new CDM methodologies for energy efficiency and coal bed methane utilisation. Alex was a member of the management team which achieved a public listing for Camco in 2006.

For ClearWorld Energy, Alex supports Mike to manage strategic development and co-ordination of the company’s various businesses. In addition Alex manages the Group’s social portfolio.

Liu Rong, BE, MBA

Liu Rong is CFO of ClearWorld Energy and manages accounting, cash management, banking and forecasting functions. After graduating with a BE from Central University of Finance and Banking Liu Rong joined KPMG where she worked in the audit department in both Beijing and Singapore. During this time she obtained her MBA degree from Dubuque University, Iowa, USA. Liu Rong joined Peak Pacific Investment Company in 1998 and led that company’s program to access loan funding from Chinese banks, successfully obtaining over USD 100 million in loan funding for a series of cogeneration power plants. She has carried out due diligence on Chinese companies as well as establishing and running accounting and cash management systems.