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With a dedicated focus on mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and hitting net zero by 2030, water companies need to tackle the process emissions released in sewage treatment. Water companies are measuring emissions and trialling innovative solutions to minimise the release of nitrous oxide, biomethane and carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. Join this session to unearth the latest innovations in monitoring and reducing process emissions and resource recovery to drive a circular economy.

Chair introduction
Ruth Williams, water correspondent, Utility Week

Biorefineries and circular systems: A route towards a sustainable and resilient future, or a wasted opportunity?
Matthew Stewart, associate director - bioresources, AtkinsRéalis

Measuring and monitoring process emissions
Bharani Srinamasivayam, process emissions manager - asset strategy & planning, Severn Trent

Measuring process emissions and planning reductions
Gordon Reid, general manager zero emissions, Scottish Water

Recovering Ammonia from Northumbrian Water’s wastewater treatment processes
Mark Moulden, Technical Director, Organics on behalf of Northumbrian Water

Severn Trent’s Net Zero Hub
Peter Vale, carbon architect, asset intelligence & innovation, Severn Trent

Consumers will play a pivotal role in the UK’s shift to renewable energy, adopting low carbon technology in their homes and taking an active role in shifting their demand. Retailers and networks need to educate, communicate and incentivise customers to embrace LCT in their homes. At a time of macro economic change and wavering political commitments, the industry must lead the charge on rolling out LCT at scale to deliver a decarbonised society. Join this session to find out how.

Chair introduction
Adam John, Utility Week

Changing the narrative – how to demystify low carbon solutions
Chris Connolly, business development manager, E.ON

Creating an experience: ensuring Net Zero living isn't as scary as it sounds
Hannah Thompson, customer relations and communications specialist, Sero Life

Ensuring a just transition and supporting the roll out of LCT to vulnerable customers
Archie Lasseter, head of sustainability, Utilita&Utilita Energy&Utilita Energy,&utilita

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Digital twins improve network transparency, support innovation and enable utilities to make rapid and informed investment decisions. A diverse range of utilities are embracing digital twins as they seek to create operational efficiencies without compromising service. Join this session to demystify digital twins, see how utilities are embracing the technology and understand what it could mean for your organisation.

Chair introduction
Ben Hargreaves, head of content, Utility Week

CReDo: from demonstrator to decision optimiser
Holly Hensler, Senior Product Manager, Connected Places Catapult

Embracing digitalisation to protect the environment – ecological digital twin
Carly Leonard, Anglian Water

The Virtual Energy system
Simon Evans, global digital energy leader, Arup

Leveraging location to mature your digital twin
Matt Piper, global director for industry solutions, ESRI

The role of retailers is evolving as market needs evolve. To understand the customers, they serve and offer a detailed level of flexibility, retailers are offering energy solutions to control more devices and understand existing devices in the home. Smart devices, home management systems and technology are essential to unlocking real time and quick energy flexibility. Uncover how you can leverage gride edge technology and low carbon solutions to enable the transition to for networks and customers.

Chair introduction
Lucinda Dann, features editor, Utility Week

Adapting business models to align with the energy transition
José Davila, director of strategy and external affairs, E.ON

Evolving business models to assist customers with the transition to net-zero
Ritika Wattan, head of strategy, SSE

From tariffs to products: creating the next generation of customer offers
Kieron Stopforth, senior manager, Octopus Energy Group

The UK could have some of the cheapest electricity in Europe, if not the cheapest. Instead, it spends hundreds of millions per year curtailing abundant, green wind energy in favour of dirty fossil fuel back-ups.  

As we rapidly electrify our world – transforming how we both generate and consume our energy – we also need to reimagine the energy markets that deliver it.  

Locational pricing could deliver well over £50 billion in savings to the UK by 2040, while unlocking vast amounts of green generation and cost savings to consumers.  

In order to unleash the full potential of abundant renewables, we need a paradigm shift in our energy system. Join Greg Jackson as he explores the role of locational pricing in making our grid work smarter, not harder. 

Chair introduction
James Wallin, editor, Utility Week

Panel
Greg Jackson, founder and chief executive, Octopus Energy

With demand on the gas system being distributed across all parts of the network, this session is going to hear from the different sectors that are connected to the gas grid. You’ll hear about the actions their businesses are working on today, and what options they are looking to secure in the future to achieve net zero. 

Chair introduction
Oliver Lancaster, chief executive, IGEM

Industrial and commercial
Marian Garfield, Heidelberg Materials/Hanson

Transport
Allan Rushforth, chief commercial officer, First Hydrogen

Power
Neil Filkin, technical director, Conrad Energy

Utility network and retail companies need to regain trust from consumers to gain legitimacy as they lead the charge on net zero, environmental improvements and decarbonisation. To deliver the new infrastructure required at pace and influence consumer behaviour, the industry must minimise public back lash and win the hearts and minds of citizens. 
Join this interactive session to uncover: 

• How to change peoples’ perceptions
• How to ‘lean’ into challenges
• How to build points of connections with customers and citizens

Faciliator
Dan Roberts, partner, Brunswick Group

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The UK's ambitious carbon reduction targets have been set at the highest level of government - but in a year of political change, that leadership has necessarily been put on hold. Yet the utilities industry remains firmly committed to achieving net zero, and knows there isn't a moment to waste. Unearth how industry can step into the gap, leading the charge on net zero, setting the pace, delivering innovation and holding themselves to account - even while delivering infrastructure on an unprecedented scale and battling cost pressures and reputational challenges. 

Join this session to be inspired and learn how you and your organisation can lead the change. 

Chair introduction
James Wallin, editor, Utility Week

Panel
Jon Butterworth, chief executive, National Gas

Vicky Kelsall, chief executive, SP Energy Networks

Chris Burchell, managing director, SSEN Distribution

Zoe Frogbrook, head of environment and sustainability, Northumbrian Water Group

Join us for a thought-provoking session chaired by Carly Perry, the Managing Director of Spring, as we delve into the future plans for the sector's centre of excellence. Together, we'll reflect on the progress we've made so far and explore Spring's plan for adding even more value to the sector in the years to come.

Chair introduction
Carly Perry, managing director, Spring

Panellists
Lauren Tyler, head of innovation, Southern Water

Paul Gaskin, research and innovation manager, Dwr Cymru Welsh Water

Victoria Nevin, Skewb

Simon Ayley, Director, WRc

What role will hydrogen play in a net zero future? While its use in domestic heating remains a matter for government policy, it is increasingly expected to have a role in fuelling heavy industry and transport. Join this session to discover the latest trials to roll out hydrogen for heavy industry and transport and future scaling opportunities.

Chair introduction
Oliver Lancaster, chief executive, IGEM

The UK’s strategy for hydrogen in industry and transport
Tom Mowle, head of hydrogen demand, DESNZ

Resourcing heavy industry and transport with hydrogen
Dr Danielle Stewart, project director, project union, National Gas

Infrastructure requirements to support the development of a hydrogen economy
Alastair Scott, future of energy project manager, SGN

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Open data is at the top of the agenda for energy and water companies. Not only has it been mandated by regulators; the industry recognises that it’s key to speeding up innovation and delivering net zero. How can water, gas and electricity companies improve the interoperability of information and drive cross-sector collaboration to make open data in utilities a reality? Join this session for an update on key open data projects and hear directly from the industry’s open data pioneers.

Chair introduction
Emily Judson, head of research, Icebreaker One

STREAM project update
Melissa Tallack, open data lead, Northumbrian Water

Building the energy sector data sharing infrastructure
Simon Evans, global digital energy leader, Arup

Developing the ability to share information across sectorial boundaries
Alexandra Luck, head of programme, national digital twin programme, Department for Business and Trade

Unlocking the value from data to drive towards a digitalised future
Niemesh Amin, Programme Director, Trilliant

Large users of energy offer a huge opportunity for power networks to harness for flexible energy. Ensuring operations of businesses are impacted at a minimum, what new opportunities does energy flexibility provide? Three users of energy will outline how they are looking to optimise operations and embrace energy flexibility.

Chair introduction
Tom Grimwood, insights editor, Utility Week

Putting end users at the heart of gas and electricity flexibility policy
Arjan Geveke, director, EIUG

Removing barriers and incentivising I&C customers
Jake Miller, electric assets lead, Drax

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In the last 18 months utilities have borne the brunt of public, media and government ire over soaring bills, river quality, executive pay and shareholder rewards. The industry urgently needs to rebuild customer trust and repair its reputation if it’s to influence consumer behaviour, attract talent to the industry and ultimately deliver the level of infrastructure projects required. Join this session to learn from pioneering projects that are rebuilding trust and discover best practice in stakeholder engagement.

Chair introduction
Adam John, Utility Week

The Great Grid Upgrade – working with communities
Alexandra Kaufman, director of land, planning and external affairs, strategic infrastructure, National Grid Electricity Transmission

Resetting the relationship with customers
Ashley Marshman, head of customer service, Southern Water

Embracing technology to improve customer convenience and trust
Kapil Singhal, co-founder and CEO, Vyntelligence

At a time when UK utilities need to embrace innovation and deliver capital projects on an unprecedented scale, regulators discuss how they can collaborate to drive whole systems thinking across National Critical Infrastructure. Regulators must prioritise environmental protection and low carbon solutions while removing regulatory barriers to productivity. Do we need to reimagine the existing regulatory regime?   

Join this session to unearth how regulators can remove blockers for networks, water companies, retailers and developers.  

Questions to discuss:  
How can regulators encourage whole life cost and carbon in projects? 
What can regulators do to help foster collaboration and innovation across the whole value chain?  
How can regulators support industry through AMP8, RIIO 2/3 and ED 2? 

Chair introduction
Jane Gray, content director, Utility Week

Panel
Akshay Kaul, director general, Ofgem

Gillian Pratt, deputy director, Environment Agency

 

As governments worldwide strive to achieve ambitious net zero targets, water companies are faced with the critical task of addressing emissions associated with bioresource treatment and renewable energy production. Central to this effort is the imperative to control and minimize methane emissions, unlocking the potential for clean and sustainable energy generation from waste sources. 

Join this session to discuss:  

• How can we accurately assess and quantify the methane contribution of renewable energy derived from bioresource treatment? 

• Where do the most significant methane emissions occur, and what proactive steps can be taken to reduce their impact on the environment? 

• How can the industry adapt and innovate to reduce methane emissions and drive sustainable practices forward? 

Faciliator
Dr. Yadira Bajón Fernández, senior lecturer in bioresources science and engineering (Cranfield) and policy fellow (DESNZ), Cranfield University; and policy fellow, DESNZ

With insights from a panel of experts from the Heat Pump Ready programme, this session will delve into how innovations in smart and flexible technology, manufacturing and the customer journey can enable the mass rollout of heat pumps. Dr Nicola Lazenby, Energy Innovation Programme Manager for the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero, will chair the panel session

  

Chair introduction
Nicola Lazenby, Head of Built Environment Innovation, Department of Energy Security and Net Zero

Panel
Mark Lufkin, CPO technical director, Wondrwall

Daniel White, market development director, MCS

Roger Macklin, technical director, Hoare Lea

Tom Oldfield, head of external affairs, Mixergy

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As distribution network operators shift to becoming DSOs, effective accurate digital infrastructure and adopting smart energy networks is essential to enabling energy flexibility, directing investment and prioritising asset management decisions on the road to net zero. How will digital networks integrate and interact with the FSO and enable the uptake of LCT for consumers? Discover the innovations, technologies and efficiencies arising from embracing smart energy networks.

Chair introduction
Tom Grimwood, insights editor, Utility Week

The importance of data
Kirsty Scott, head of network intelligence & DSO development, Scottish Power Energy Networks

Monitoring the network and forecasting for asset management
Nigel Bessant, head of operations, dso, SSEN

DSO innovations enabling net zero
Jamie Bright, DSO data science & development manager, UKPN

Scaling flexibility services with automated and performance based operational technology systems
Ali Ahmadi, global digital grid director, EY

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Utilities are racing to achieve digital readiness, while facing an ever-growing skills crisis and demands from the regulator to deliver more for less. How can energy and water businesses embrace operational change, drive process efficiency and ensure digital readiness? Join this session to explore the innovations available to utilities as they seek to modernise their workforce and operations.

Chair introduction
Ben Hargreaves, head of content, Utility Week

Data science skills gap – how to build data capabilities
Dr Stephen Haben, senior data science consultant, Energy Systems Catapult

Upskilling to establish a digitally-enabled workforce
Liz Nash, learning & development manager, UKPN

Mitigating the skills gap through operational change – Anglian’s approach to the Strategic Pipeline Delivery
Matt Walker, strategic programmes manager, Anglian Water

Closing the skills gap with AI: a true story
Scott Broadley, director of strategic projects, FYLD

As the climate crisis deepens and biodiversity becomes a priority, finding alternatives to grey infrastructure is critical. How can industry, regulators and innovators work together to enable the adoption of nature-based solutions? Join this session to unearth how utilities are looking at the whole catchment and engaging in new partnerships to introduce more nature-based solutions.

Chair introduction
Ruth Williams, water correspondent, Utility Week

How can we better prepare to design, build and operate nature based solutions
Dr Gabriela Dotro, Senior Research Fellow, Chair of the CWA, Cranfield University

Nature based solutions – environmental regulation, policies and frameworks to support delivery
Clare Warburton, sustainable development deputy director, Natural England

Kat Broadhead, principal for water, Natural England

Mainstreaming nature based solutions to deliver greater value
Amina Aboobakar, director of strategic development and stewardship, Rivers Trust

Flexible energy markets are at a critical junction of development. Following consultations around the role of the regulator, this panel will deliberate the best way to support emerging markets, protect customers and accelerate net zero.

Chair introduction
Lucinda Dann, features editor, Utility Week

Panel
Avi Aithal, Head of open networks, Energy Networks Association

Francis Mosley, head of enabling flexibility markets, OFGEM

Lois Clark, ESO

The utilities industry has been under the microscope for environmental impact and increased cost to consumers. How can utilities transform public perceptions and win back trust?  

Join this session to discover how utilities can rebuild their reputation and tell the story of all the hard work that goes into keeping the lights on, the heat pumping and the taps running. 

 

Chair introduction
Jane Gray, content director, Utility Week

Panel
Dan Roberts, partner, Brunswick Group

It’s a simple fact that accessing low carbon technologies is easier for consumers on a higher income – but to ensure a successful transition to a net zero economy, everyone must be engaged, and everyone must benefit, at all levels of society. Rebuilding consumer trust, educating consumers on pollution, and encouraging customers to embrace sustainable, low carbon technologies to assist in the energy transition is essential.  

Join this session to debate what we mean by a ‘just transition’, and discover how it can be achieved.  

 

Chair introduction
Jane Gray, content director, Utility Week

Panel
Dr Brenda Boardman MBE, Emeritus fellow, Environmental Change Institute, University of Oxford

Mike Gauterin, customer and technology director, United Utilities

Imran Patel, director of customer experience, Yorkshire Water

Monica Collings, chair, Swarm Energy

All utilities operate as part of a complex, interconnected system of systems, where a change or problem in one part of the system can create a ripple effect elsewhere in the system.   

In the past, challenges have been satisfactorily met by operating fairly independently within our sector silos but in an increasingly complex, uncertain, volatile and ambiguous world, deeper inter-connections and further cross system (cross sector) working are required if we are to co-ordinate action to keep evolving the system of systems to face these challenges.   

Open data and data sharing is a critical and foundational component to cross sector collaboration and yet it is still only in its infancy, with a small (but notable) handful of examples tackling some of the thorniest of challenges, but still often only operating at proof of concept or proof of value scale.  

This collaboration exchange session seeks to create a forum for deeper discussion on the topic of how we can accelerate cross sector working through open and shared data. 

The following questions will be tackled: 

• What are the issues we particularly need collaboration for? 

• What do we want the future of cross-sector working to look like?  What is our story from the future? 

• What are the existing enablers and barriers to cross sector working and how can we remove the blockers? 

• What collective action and commitment is required?  What can we do today or tomorrow to accelerate faster towards our vision? 

Faciliators
Melissa Tallack, open data lead, Northumbrian Water

Josh D’Addario, Open Data Institute

The Ofwat innovation fund has encouraged a step change in the innovation maturity of the sector - particularly in the focus and structure to the creation and delivery of projects. In thinking about the fund beyond 2025, how do we encourage the sector to take the next step in its maturity?  

Join this interactive collaborate exchange to help shape and develop innovation maturity and discuss:  
 

· How to adopt and scale solution being developed  

· How to encourage a culture of failing quickly and being comfortable with it  

· How to accelerate the return on investment  

· How to improve the delivery of projects  

· How to demonstrate value for money for customers  

Chair introduction
Holly Jamieson, executive director, Challenge Works

Panel
Mumin Islam, Head of Innovation, South Staffordshire and Cambridge Water

Helen Campbell, senior director for sector performance, Ofwat

Suhayl Zulfiquar, CEO, Ofwat innovation fund judge

Graham Lunt, Sandtech

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In the face of the changing climate and regulatory demands for greater long-term efficiencies, utilities need to take a proactive approach to asset management rather than continue to respond reactively to bursts, leakages and failing assets. How can smart technology enable engineers to predict failures, maintain assets and ensure continued operations for consumers? Join this session to discover how water, gas and power companies are transforming asset management, saving time and money and maintaining an undisrupted service to consumers.

Chair introduction
Ben Hargreaves, head of content, Utility Week

Taking a data led approach to leakage and asset management
Justine Leadbetter, head of demand management, Water Research Centre

Adapting whilst maintaining supply: A climate driven approach to asset management
Shirley Robertson, head of strategic planning & sustainability, SSEN Distribution

From reactive to proactive: how data and technology is transforming management of the gas network
David Moon, director of investment & future energy, Cadent

How can IoT and open standard telecoms like LoRaWAN enable smarter utilities
Harsha Anand, global head of advisory, Enzen Group

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Extreme weather is putting an increasing strain on aging critical national infrastructure and utilities must adapt their networks to withstand more frequent storms, extreme heat and increased flooding. Utilities need to prepare existing water, gas, electricity and telecoms networks to ensure resilience and security of supply to customers as a priority. Simultaneously, future assets need to be designed to realistic climate models and predictions.

Chair introduction
Rob Horgan, Utility Week

Preparing critical national infrastructure for the future
Clara Wikforss, policy adviser, National Infrastructure Commission

CREDO: using digital twins to manage extreme heat
Tom Burgoyne, asset systems strategist, Anglian Water

Using rainfall data and forecasts to predict and prevent sewer flooding
Mike Everest, MAP director, Metasphere Ltd

Heat remains the biggest single source of carbon emissions for the UK, making its decarbonisation critical to the net zero journey. The government has set out ambitious plans for the rollout of heat pumps, but the reality is that just a fraction of the targeted number are being installed each year. What is the future of low carbon heat, and when will the tipping point for mass take-up arrive? Join this session to learn how to engage consumers, improve consumer understanding and accelerate the decarbonisation of heat.

Chair introduction
Tom Grimwood, insights editor, Utility Week

Facilitating the electrification of heat
Clothilde Cantegreil, Head of Strategy, SSEN Distribution

Innovating to decarbonise vertical communities
Loukas Douvaras, innovation project lead, UK Power Networks

Unlocking flexibility from residential low carbon heat
Lisa Bunting, British Gas

To accelerate the development of flexible energy markets and encourage the participation of as many end users as possible, energy networks need to offer a variety of products. Join this session to gain insight into the new products networks will be procuring.

Chair introduction
Avi Aithal, Head of open networks, Energy Networks Association

Community DSO unearthing flexibility products
Maurice Lynch, head of system flexibility, Northern Powergrid

BiTraDER: bilateral trading of curtailment
Geraldine Paterson, innovation development manager, Electricity North West

Advancing flex market platforms and processes
Catherine Winning, flexibility markets manager, SSEN Distribution

Net Zero flexibility vision for flexible distribution networks
Phillipa Slater, director of asset management and operations support, National Grid Energy Distribution

One in four local authorities are working towards a local area energy plan (LAEP). However, for many already overstretched councils the cost and internal resources needed to complete this vital net zero blueprint have proved significant barriers to progress. With increasing pressure on statutory services, there is a risk that planning for net zero will be sidelined unless the government mandates action and provides councils the funding to deliver. 

This session will outline Utility Week’s campaign lobbying government to mandate all local councils to produce a LAEP and provide the estimated £40 million of funding required to achieve this.

The panel will be moderated by Utility Week editor James Wallin and will feature representatives of utilities, local authorities and expert observers.  

 

Chair Introduction
James Wallin, editor, Utility Week

Panel
Rory Mathews, senior policy and partnerships officer (Low Carbon), Greater Manchester Combined Authority

Chris Brierley, senior advisor, Energy Systems Catapult

Emily Wilson-Gavin, head of corporate affairs, SSEN

The water environment is facing ever-growing pressures around too much, too little and too dirty water, deepened by climate change and biodiversity crises, population growth and ageing assets. Nature-based solutions (in the context of catchment initiatives, hybrid green-grey infrastructure and natural solutions), can play a critical role in addressing these multiple challenges, and providing a more resilient and sustainable alternative. However, NBS are not common practice across the sector, are still seen as high risk, the uptake is very slow, and therefore, we are failing to maximise their full value. 

Join this collaboration exchange session to explore:  

• What is stopping the scale of adoption of NBS in the water sector? And how can the barriers be removed? 

• Looking at the challenges in AMP8, what do we think are the key challenges and opportunities for NBS in the next AMP specifically?  

• What can the industry collectively do with regulators and other stakeholders to enable the value of NBS to be maximised in the long-term?  What are the key levers that can drive action? 

• What can we do today or tomorrow to accelerate change?  

Faciliator
Amina Aboobakar, director of strategic development and stewardship, Rivers Trust

The ever-growing skills gap and public perception of utilities creates a challenge to recruiting the future of the industry. How can we apply innovation principles to the way the water and energy companies recruit, onboard and retain talent? In this dynamic discussion, industry leaders and innovators will share insights, strategies, and case studies showcasing how utilities companies are revolutionising their approach to people management.

Chair introduction
Gabrielle Mandell, chief executive, Institute of Water

Panel
Ian Barker, vice president environment, Institute of Water

Jason Elliott, co-founder, Get Knowledge

Gemma Betney, head of workforce demand & resourcing, Anglian Water

Angela Day, head of people, risk and compliance, MOSL

Accounting and reporting scope 3 emissions is a critical step in the ‘race to zero’. Utility companies need to collaborate with their supply chain partners and be prepared to work in new ways to uncover innovations that will drive down emissions across the supply chain. Join this session to learn how utilities are managing and minimising scope 3 emissions and shifting to a circular economy.

Chair introduction
Lucinda Dann, features editor, Utility Week

Decarbonisation of concrete
Rachel Skinner, chair infrastructure carbon workstream, Infrastructure Client Group and Past President, ICE

Demystifying the Whole Life Carbon Assessment and what this means for utility infrastructure
Athina Papakosta, Sustainability Lead - Carbon & Resource efficiency, Skanska Costain STRABAG JV; RICS WLCA PS co-author

Innovative infrastructure: reducing carbon in materials
Rossella Nicolin, head of sustainability for Europe, Laing O’Rourke

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Mitigating cyber security risk is a priority for all major infrastructure, from telecoms to highways. infrastructure operators need to secure their assets as they embrace smart networks, sensors and digital twins which open asset owners up to new vulnerabilities. As utilities push to digitalise their assets and embrace open data, what digital security measures are necessary and required, and how is the legislative backdrop changing? Join this session to understand how to secure critical infrastructure from case studies and discover the shared responsibility for policymakers, regulators and infrastructure businesses.

Chair introduction
James Wallin, editor, Utility Week

Providing insight into cyber standards and regulations
Dr Richard Dobson, business leader – digital, Energy Systems Catapult

T & OT – Collaborating to Protect Critical Infrastructure
Iain Dougan, head of operational technology & cyber, SSEN Transmission

The role of telecoms in driving resilience for utilities
Ian Smith, head of operations support, National Grid Electricity Distribution

Revealing key insights from delivering digital security in the utilities sector
John Elder, cyber security director, Jacobs

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As the UK prioritises the decarbonisation of heat and domestic flexibility potential, discover how the electrification of heat and aggregating UK homes could provide an opportunity for managing grid constraint. Discover the latest updates, best practice and lessons learnt from pilots.

Chair introduction
Tom Lowe, Founding Director, Thermal Storage UK

Driving active consumer participation in flexibility
Andrew Schein, director of trials and analysis, Centre for Net Zero

Maximising the use of local green power
Alex Howard, head of flexibility markets, UKPN

Crowdflex
Elizabeth Allkins, Head of energy strategy, OVO

Providing the latest insights from domestic heat pump flexibility trials
Alex Jakeman, associate director, Guidehouse

Following the second winter of the cost-of-living crisis, the industry is searching for the best tools to support customers from a range of backgrounds. Can pre-payment meters remain a viable tool following their reputational damage? What is the best form of social tariff, and what role can innovations in billing play? Join this session to understand the tools available to utilities to support customer payments.

Chair introduction
Adam John, Utility Week

Mechanisms for rolling out social tariffs and prepayment meters
Alexander Belsham Harris, Citizens Advice

Vulnerability, debt and the role of suppliers
Louise Walsh, chief customer contact officer, Utilita

Innovative ways to serve vulnerable customers – new approaches to billing and service
Dr Rose Chard, low income and vulnerable consumer practice manager, Energy Systems Catapult

Utilities must encourage women into the industry to overcome the aging workforce, growing skills gap and pressure to transform to sustainable, decarbonised industry. People need to demonstrate their support and understanding towards women in the utilities to create long lasting change. Allyship is critical to ensuring the progression and success of women and representation at board level. Join this session to uncover how to become an intentional advocate and what operating culture organisational changes to structure and recruitment strategies need to be adopted and embedded to establish an inclusive workplace. 

Chair introduction
Hayley Monks, founder, Womens Utilities Network

Panel
Justine Leadbetter, head of demand management, Water Research Centre

Fiona Jackson, managing director, Fiona Jackson Consulting

Mike Keil, chief executive, CCW

Gary Ford, co-founder, Men for Inclusion

Net zero cannot happen without flexible energy – it’s as simple as that. Market makers, regulators and industry pioneers are working together to create an active flexibility market in the UK – but there are significant challenges ahead. Utility Week is delighted to support the emerging energy flexibility market with the launch of the Flex Awards hosted at Utility Week Live.  

The Flex Awards will recognise market makers, movers and disruptors who are paving the way for energy flexibility to be rolled out. We will be showcasing the latest innovation, celebrating flexibility pioneers and unearthing the companies and individuals who are driving flex markets and end user engagement. 

For information on how to enter the Awards, click here: https://www.flexawards.co.uk/

Chair introduction
James Wallin, editor, Utility Week