UTILITY WEEK LIVE'S BIGGEST-EVER CONTENT PROGRAMME

Utility Week Live's content programme is free-to-attend and bigger and better than ever for 2026!

There are seven stages of free content sessions, including the brand-new Infrastructure Delivery and Digital Utilities Stages, which have been crafted to help you tackle the biggest challenges facing utilities today. This year, there will be even more opportunities for practical take aways, and the programme will showcase a range of shovel-ready solutions while focussing on the areas of the biggest need.

All this content is CPD accredited CPD Certification Service

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19 May 2026
  1. Infrastructure Delivery Stage

    With growing complexity in utility infrastructure projects and increasing demands for transparency, cost control and sustainability, utility network owners must evolve how they manage information and deliver consistent outcomes. This session will examine how standardised processes, data structures and digital information management can streamline operations, reduce duplication and improve decision-making across the asset lifecycle..


    Chair welcome and introduction
    Rob Horgan, News Editor - Utility Week

    Standardising assets to improve productivity in design and build
    Richard Sutton, Head of Engineering and Products - United Utilities/Enterprise
    Darren Hollins, Head of Engineering Disciplines - United Utilities

    IM4Power smarter information management: unlocking efficiencies in the transmission supply chain
    Scott Pritchard, Lead Digital Information Manager - SSEN Transmission

    Why the Information Management Initiative is important for utility owners and operators
    Rachel Heaton, Engagement Manager, GS1 UK & Vice Chair - nima

    Talk title coming soon
    To be announced

  2. Infrastructure Delivery Stage

    As the utilities sector faces increasing pressure to balance competing priorities including major project delivery, aging infrastructure, climate change and regulatory shifts, utilities need rapid innovation. Traditional procurement and contracting models are struggling to keep pace. This session explores innovative strategies that challenge conventional approaches, highlighting how emerging collaborative frameworks, agile methodologies and technology can drive greater efficiency, resilience and value in infrastructure delivery and service provision.

    Sponsored by: 


    Chair welcome and introduction
    Nirmal Kotecha, Chair - Major Projects Association

    Delivering Scottish Water's SR27 programme through an enterprise model
    Paul Sexton, SR27 Transition General Manager - Scottish Water

    Embracing new framework models for RIIO 3
    Kevin Wynne, Transmission Supply Chain Director - Scottish Power

    Collaborating with delivery partners for success
    Ali Bevan, Head of Procurement - Infrastructure and Operational Services - Anglian Water

    Future-proofing delivery: ensuring innovative models deliver their intended outcomes
    Ola Haidar, Commercial and Procurement Expert - PA Consulting

  3. Infrastructure Delivery Stage

    Planning delays remain one of the biggest obstacles to delivering critical infrastructure at pace with half of major planning decisions challenged in court. This session explores how to streamline the approval process while ensuring greater accountability for utility clients to demonstrate meaningful local engagement. This session examines how reforms aim to remove blockers early in the process, balancing the need for speed with community input and environmental stewardship in a rapidly evolving planning landscape. 


    Chair welcome and introduction
    Dan Walker-Nolan, Director of Policy - Water UK

    Talk title coming soon
    To be announced

  4. Infrastructure Delivery Stage

    As utilities face delivering once in a generation projects and an unprecedented level of infrastructure delivery against finite resource in the supply chain, finding new ways of working is essential to deliver projects on time and on budget. This session uncovers best practice and lessons learnt from capital project case studies on mobilising the workforce, driving productivity and engaging with the supply chain.

    Sponsored by: 


    Chair welcome and introduction
    Nirmal Kotecha, Chair - Major Projects Association

    How Hinkley Point C has informed the delivery of Sizewell C
    Tilly Spencer, Technical Director - Sizewell C

    A network wide approach to driving efficiency across a capital delivery portfolio
    Fraser Hood, Capital Delivery Director - SSE Distribution

    Improving cross sector collaboration to avoid repeated mistakes and drive productivity
    Chris Taylor-Dawson, Senior Director – Major Projects - Ofwat

    Talk title coming soon
    To be announced

  5. Infrastructure Delivery Stage

    Water and energy networks are tasked with delivering more than ever before in their regulatory price control period. With limited resources and restricted capacity in the supply chain, the utility sector must design, build and maintain assets more efficiently. This session will uncover how the industry can work together to overcome workforce strain, improve capability planning, and unlock new efficiencies.


    Chair welcome
    Lucinda Dann, Features Editor - Utility Week

    Infrastructure Delivery Forum: championing client collaboration to drive efficiency in infrastructure delivery
    Jonathan Wilson, SI Digital Product Manager - National Grid Strategic Infrastructure

    Providing foresight into delivery plans to build capacity in the supply chain
    Paul Hickey, Senior Director - RAPID

    Talk title coming soon
    To be announced

20 May 2026
  1. Infrastructure Delivery Stage

    Capital project delivery in the utilities sector is under increasing pressure to be delivered on time and on budget while providing social value. This session explores how AI, automation, machine learning and cutting-edge digital tools are being leveraged to enhance planning, forecasting, risk management and real-time decision-making. This session will give attendees insights into how these technologies are transforming project outcomes, enabling smarter, data-driven capital investment strategies.

    Sponsored by:

     Vyntelligence - Utility Week


    Chair welcome and introduction
    Rob Horgan, News Editor - Utility Week

    Harnessing AI and digital tools to enable better delivery of critical infrastructure
    Euan Black, Head of Delivery Portfolio Management - Anglian Water

    Transforming delivery: scaling digital tools and capability for ASTI
    Laura Martin, Digital Product Line Director - National Grid

    Talk title coming soon
    To be announced

    Talk title coming soon
    Kapil Singhal, Co-Founder & CEO - Vyntelligence

  2. Infrastructure Delivery Stage

    Under immense pressure to delivery at scale and pace while driving the net zero agenda, there is a growing need to rethink how infrastructure is designed, delivered and maintained. This session will explore how Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) and innovative delivery models can significantly reduce carbon emissions, drive productivity and efficiency and improve safety across the supply chain across the asset lifecycle. 


    Chair welcome and introduction
    Tom Grimwood, Insights Editor - Utility Week

    Driving efficiency and productivity with MMC and Offsite Manufacture
    Paul Drayton, Head of Digital – Europe - Laing O’Rouke

    Driving design standardisation to leverage MMC and productisation of construction delivery
    Marta Mroczka, Head of Information Management - National Grid Strategi Infrastructure
    Michael Hannon, Head of Onshore Engineering - National Grid Strategi Infrastructure

    Talk title coming soon
    Evangelos Petropoulos, Technical Specialist - Stantec

    Talk title coming soon
    To be announced
     
  3. Infrastructure Delivery Stage

    Despite a huge injection of investment for asset renewal, replacement and new infrastructure there is still a critical need to better monitor and manage existing assets. This session will explore the innovations, technologies and tools helping asset managers gain better visibility of the network, optimise existing asset and infrastructure and sweat assets to last longer while performing for customers.


    Chair welcome and introduction
    Rob Horgan, News Editor - Utility Week

    Talk title coming soon
    To be announced

    Repurposing the gas grid to maximise asset capability
    Katie Petherbridge, Delivery Innovation Manager - National Gas

    Talk title coming soon
    To be announced

  4. Infrastructure Delivery Stage

    To align water supply forecasts with predicted demand, the UK needs to act now to guarantee clean drinking water for future generations. The last reservoir build in the UK was completed in 1992, how are clients and the supply chain embracing new technologies, leaning on historical knowledge and winning over local communities to deliver reservoirs? Join this session to learn from case studies at different delivery stages to support upskilling and knowledge transfer across the industry.


    Chair welcome and introduction
    Ruth Williams - Utility Week

    Havant Thicket Reservoir: constructing an 8.7 billion litre freshwater storage reservoir
    Ruari Maybank, Programme Director - Havant Thicket Reservoir - Portsmouth Water

    South East Strategic Reservoir Option (SESRO): the importance of stakeholder engagement
    Leonie Dubois, Head of Engagement Land and Consents - Thames Water

    Design principles for reservoirs: with nature in mind
    Dr. Louise Bardsley, Principal Adviser Strategic Solutions - Natural England

    Talk title coming soon
    To be announced

19 May 2026
  1. Customer and Communities Stage

    Utilities are uniquely positioned to drive positive change beyond service delivery by acting in the public interest and investing in the communities they serve. This session will explore how utilities can embed social value, equity and local partnerships into their strategies to create lasting community impact.


    Chair welcome and introduction
    Ruth Williams - Utility Week

    Overcoming the trust barrier with public engagement in communities
    Chani Courtney, Volunteer Representative - Surfers Against Sewage

    From classroom to career: creating opportunities for young people and building workforce pipelines
    Erica Chamberlain, Head of Strategic Partnerships - Careers and Enterprise Company

    Providing energy benefits for communities – EON Solar in Schools and supporting the local community
    Gayle Harrison, Senior Entrepreneur in Residence - E.ON Next Growth Studio

  2. Customer and Communities Stage

    As customer expectations evolve and call volumes rise, utilities need to offer a variety of solutions to serve a diverse customer base. Energy and water companies need to understand which channels best support specific customer needs and preferences to drive operational efficiency and increase customer satisfaction. This session explores strategies for aligning the right communication and service channels with the right customer journeys to optimise engagement and outcomes.


    Chair welcome and introduction
    Ruth Williams - Utility Week

    Successful approaches to automation: helping customers to self-serve and reducing dropout rates
    Kathryn Salisbury, Head of Customer Contact - Welsh Water

    Implementing a WhatsApp strategy
    Sally Ainsworth, Customer Service Director - United Utilities

    Using AI to summarise call outcomes to allow time for agents to really focus on the customer
    Louise Walsh, Chief Customer Contact Officer - Utilita

  3. Customer and Communities Stage

    As the Clean Power 2030 target draws nearer, public discourse around net zero intensifies and future water security becomes a national priority, utilities must inspire meaningful engagement from both domestic and non-domestic customers. This session will explore how to deliver buy-in through transparent communication, tailored education and community engagement. Understand how to empower customers with the knowledge and tools they need to actively participate in building a resilient and sustainable utility network. 


    Chair welcome and introduction
    Dorjee Wangmo, Reporter - Utility Week

    Successfully bringing consumers with us on the net zero journey
    Amy Turner, Senior Policy Manager - Smart Energy GB

    No one gets left behind: turning live data into cleaner choices
    Ella Moorey, Group Sustainability Lead - Utilita

    Storm Overflows were in it together: Customer Engagement and the Importance it holds for us
    Simon Fosbraey, Clean Rivers and Seas Taskforce - Southern Water

  4. Customer and Communities Stage

    With rising bills and escalating debt level, more customers are struggling to keep up with energy and water bills. How can the industry step in to support those most in need and close the widening debt gap? Join this session to uncover how companies are leveraging data-driven insights, streamlining processes and proactively engaging with customers to support vulnerable people, reduce debt and build long term trust and resilience  


    Chair welcome and introduction
    Ed Rees, Head of Retail Policy - Energy UK

    Changing the narrative: how do we rebuild trust in utilities to encourage engagement
    Louise Walsh, Chief Customer Contact Officer - Utilita

    Talk title coming soon

  5. Customer and Communities Stage

    Encouraging customers to embrace and adopt LCT is a critical element in the UK achieving net zero objectives. Utilities have a responsibility to introduce customers to these technologies and gain their trust. This session will delve into the innovative financing options being trialled, how to appeal to a diverse and inclusive audience, and mechanisms to make LTC more accessible.


    Chair welcome and introduction
    Louise Evans, Policy Manager - Energy UK

    EON Next Gen Home: energy as a service revolution/transforming how customers can power their homes
    Zac Curtis, Project Lead - EON Next Gen Homes - EON Next

    SIF funded Net Zero Terrace: finding solutions for harder to treat terraced homes
    Dr Geraldine Paterson, Innovation Development Manager - SP Electricity North West

    Findings from the Equal LCT project on reducing impact of heatpumps on the network
    Ross Bibby, Project Lead - SSE

20 May 2026
  1. Customer and Communities Stage

    Both domestic and wholesale customers need to be more engaged with water and energy networks than ever before. Reducing use and driving a conscious use of utilities to manage demand on the networks is critical. Join this session to discover how utilities are harnessing smart meters and changing consumer behaviour.


    Chair welcome and introduction
    Daisy Cross, Head of Future Retail Markets - Energy UK

    Innovation in behaviour change for diverse communities
    Mumin Islam, Head of Innovation - South Staffs and Cambridge Water

    The role of partnerships, incentives and gamification in prompting valuable customer actions
    Amy Conlen, Strategy & Propositions Lead - OVO

    Talk title coming soon
    To be announced

  2. Customer and Communities Stage

    As customer expectations rise and perceptions of utilities continue to fall short, how can water and energy utilities refine, evolve and optimise how they serve their customer base? Join this session to discover how emerging and existing technologies can improve satisfaction with customers, optimise call centre agents and help utilities deliver gold standard customer service.


    Chair welcome and introduction
    Dorjee Wangmo, Reporter - Utility Week

    Successfully using chat bots to support consumer experience
    James Hennerley, Head of Data - Everflow

    Talk title coming soon
    Alex Williams, Head of Customer Contact Centre - UK Power Networks

    Talk title coming soon
    To be announced

  3. Customer and Communities Stage

    As economic pressures grow, utilities face increasing responsibility to identify and support vulnerable customers through effective, empathetic, and inclusive approaches. This session will explore whether the Priority Services Register (PSR) is fit for purpose, how regulation intersects with affordability, and showcase real-world case studies on supporting customers through hardship.


    Chair welcome and introduction
    Matt Cole - Fuel Bank Foundation

    Innovative solutions and partnership approaches to help those in crisis
    Matt Cole - Fuel Bank Foundation

    Supporting customers through hardship
    Helen Patterson, Customer Service Manager – Credit Management - Northumbrian Water Group
    Lisa Connell, Customer Manager – Inclusivity and Affordability - Northumbrian Water Group

    Spotlight Project: using AI to identify vulnerable customers
    Jo Lomax, Customer Vulnerability Manager - UK Power Networks

  4. Customer and Communities Stage

    Frontline workers are the backbone of the utilities industry keeping water flowing and the power connected to homes and businesses. Managing field operations effectively is critical not only for operational efficiency and customer service but also safeguarding their wellbeing in the face of public scrutiny. This session explores the strategies and technologies being embraced to strengthen frontline resilience, enhance workforce management and maintain trust. 


    Chair welcome
    Lucinda Dann, Features Editor - Utility Week

    Talk title coming soon
    To be announced

    Talk title coming soon
    To be announced

    Talk title coming soon
    To be announced

    Talk title coming soon
    To be announced

19 May 2026
  1. Digital Utilities Stage

    As utilities become increasingly digitised and adopt the power of AI, the need for robust cyber resilience has never been greater. This session explores how the sector can strengthen operational resilience while safeguarding customers, assets, and critical national infrastructure. With rising threats and regulatory pressure, utilities must evolve their strategies to detect, respond to and recover from cyber incidents. Join us to examine best practices, emerging technologies, and collaborative approaches to building a secure and resilient energy future.


    Chair welcome and introduction
    To be announced

    Talk title coming soon
    To be announced

    Talk title coming soon
    To be announced

    Talk title coming soon
    To be announced

  2. Digital Utilities Stage

    With aging infrastructure across water, gas, and power networks, utilities must harness smart technologies to predict failures and enable proactive maintenance. This session will explore how data-driven insights, intelligent monitoring and automation can extend asset life, reduce unplanned outages and support more efficient long-term planning.

    Sponsored by: 
    Telent - Wikipedia


    Chair welcome and introduction
    Rob Horgan, News Editor - Utility Week

    Building a 'digital observatory’ of the Firth of Forth catchment to test interventions and investment
    Professor Andrew Tyler, Scotland Hydro Nation Chair - University of Stirling

    Monitoring assets and networks to understand performance
    To be announced

    Talk title coming soon
    To be announced

    Talk title coming soon
    To be announced

  3. Digital Utilities Stage

    Utilities need to make more decision at a faster to pace to deliver upgrades necessary for resilience and support for customers in a complex environment. Join this session to uncover the latest digital tools, data platforms and AI-powered insight tools which are transforming decision making.

    Sponsored by: 

    Vitruvi Software: construction software company


    Chair welcome and introduction
    Lucinda Dann, Features Editor - Utility Week

    Modern meteorology meets infrastructure: the future of ice load mapping
    Stuart Flint, Principal OHL Engineer - SSEN Transmission
    Peter Taddei, Innovation Delivery Project Manager - SSEN Transmission

    Improving decision making through enhanced data sharing
    Naomi Andreson, Head of Industry Projects - Xoserve

    RDMAI: If rivers could talk, what would they be saying?
    George Gerring, Partnership & Programme Lead - River Deep Mountain AI - Northumbrian Water Group

    Talk title coming soon
    Felix Wright, Senior Director - Solutions Consulting - Vitruvi Software

  4. Digital Utilities Stage

    To deliver value for customers and the wider public and reduce duplication of work, utilities require clear data sharing infrastructure. This session will delve into the collaborative work being done in the sector to improve data sharing and increase efficiency across energy and water networks and wider infrastructure sectors.


    Chair welcome and introduction
    Sarah Hayes, Chair, Data Sharing Working Group - Digital Twin Hub

    Progress in developing energy data sharing infrastructure and plans for adoption across the sector
    Sasha Shipulina, Programme Manager– Virtual Power System - NESO

    Stream: sharing data sharing best practice and learning from other sectors
    Melissa Tallack - Northumbrian Water Group

    Joining up initiatives for data sharing best practice from outside the sector
    Dr George Economides - Department for Transport

  5. Digital Utilities Stage

    Digital twins are unlocking new levels of control and visibility for network owners and operators, but the real value is realised when they are embedded across the asset lifecycle. This session will take a deep dive into how to maximise the impact of digital twins through design, delivery and maintenance. Understand why data quality, accessibility and integration across the supply chain are critical to success.

    Sponsored by: 

    Shared Reality | Scale your industrial digital twin faster


    Chair welcome and introduction
    Alanna Gluck, CReDO Engagement Lead - Connected Places Catapult

    Understanding crisis response and resilience capabilities of the transport system
    Dr George Economides - Department for Transport

    CReDO: decision optimiser – considering interdependencies in resilience planning
    To be announced

    Talk title coming soon
    To be announced

    Case study: Cadent and Veolia – AI-generated digital twins for project & asset management
    Phil Weatherston, Regional Manager UK & Ireland - SAMP

20 May 2026
  1. Digital Utilities Stage

    The Energy Geeks, in association with CGI, present headline findings from their report into the role of digitalisation in the energy transition. The report sets out why digitalisation is an essential building block of clean power; who should orchestrate it; how we identify value to consumers and society as a whole and the risks and opportunities inherent in the project. It will also look at the concept of building a ‘highway code’ to underpin this digital revolution. This session will explore the key themes of the report along with the provocative views of the Energy Geeks on why progress to date has been limited.


    Chair welcome and introduction
    Laura Sandys - Energy Geeks

    Panel
    Eric Brown, Director - Grid Scientific Limited
    Maxine Frerk - Energy Geeks
    Rich Hampshire, VP | Digital Utilities - CGI
    Roger Hey - Energy Geeks
    Steven Steer - Energy Geeks

  2. Digital Utilities Stage

    AI is an enabler for utilities to delivery new assets faster, smarter and more sustainably and be more efficient with their asset management strategies. This session examines how networks operators are embracing AI to drive productivity, reduce operational risk and drive efficiency.

    Sponsored by:

    Esri at Utility Week Live


    Chair welcome and introduction
    Rob Horgan, News Editor - Utility Week

    The Intelligent Gas Grid: autonomous and intelligent monitoring and control for operational planning and maintenance
    Oliver Machan, Innovation Delivery Manager - SGN

    Talk title coming soon
    To be announced

    Combining IoT, digital twin and analytics for operational resilience and asset operations
    Chris Rison, Head of Smart Network - Cadent

    Optimising planning and maintenance with AI and location intelligence
    Matt Piper, Global Industry Solution Director – Infrastructure - ESRI

  3. Digital Utilities Stage

    Utilities are sitting on a mountain of operational data - but turning that data into actionable insight requires the right people, processes and technology. Join this session to explore how utilities can leverage advanced monitoring practices and analytics to optimise performance.


    Chair welcome and introduction
    Ruth Williams - Utility Week

    How data can be used as a strategic asset: setting the right foundations
    Dilani Pararajasingam, Head of Data - Pennon Group

    Citizen science and data for better decision making
    Melissa Tallack - Northumbrian Water Group

    Managing data for impact: enabling engineers to make better environmental decisions
    Michael Milligan, Senior Engineer - SSE

  4. Digital Utilities Stage

    The successful roll out of smart meters across energy and water is essential to unlocking the full potential of networks. Smart meters provide a wealth of data that can delivery unprecedented visibility into consumption patterns. Improve operational efficiency and enhance customer engagement with utilities. Join this session to learn how to successfully deploy smart meter, mine data to better understand human behaviour and gain better insights to the network.


    Chair welcome and introduction
    Dorjee Wangmo, Reporter - Utility Week

    Living Lab - real homes, real data: insights from smart meters plus household profiles
    Claire Rowland, Senior Manager: Living Lab and Whole Energy Systems Accelerator - Energy Systems Catapult

    Insight that matters: reducing demand with smart meters
    Heidi Napton, Head of Universal Metering - South Staffs Water

    VERIFY (SIF): using smart meter data to help identify and assist vulnerable customers
    Rhys Williams, Project Manager - SSE

19 May 2026
  1. Resilience Stage

    As demand on the electricity grid intensifies—from the rapid growth of renewable energy sources and low carbon technologies to the electrification of industry and transport—the need for smarter, faster and more flexible grid connections and capacity has never been greater. This session explores how the grid must evolve to meet these challenges, including the role of ED3, innovative approaches to unlocking capacity and the future of grid connectivity.


    Chair welcome and introduction
    Lucinda Dann, Features Editor - Utility Week

    Enabling businesses to connect to the grid at pace
    To be announced

    Unlocking flexibility: How DSOs enable demand shifting to maximise local renewable generation
    Doerte Schneemann, Head of Flexibility Markets - National Grid

    Creative connections and flexibility: enabling a more coordinated grid
    Peter Clutton-Brock, Chief Executive - Yottar

    Talk title coming soon
    To be announced
     
  2. Resilience Stage

    As environmental expectations rise, utilities must move beyond compliance to adopt nature-first strategies that deliver meaningful biodiversity gains in operations and infrastructure delivery. This session will unpack how to measure and monitor biodiversity, harness the power of nature and deliver a positive impact to the local environment.


    Chair welcome and introduction
    Gabriela Dotro, Chair - Constructed Wetlands Association

    Biodiversity net gains explained
    Nick White, Principal Advisor - Net Gain - Natural England

    Delivering biodiversity net gain: across varying habitats
    Emily Johns, Nature Strategy Manager - SSE

    Benefits of nature-based solutions for the water industry
    Ruth Barden, Director of Environmental Solutions - Wessex Water

  3. Resilience Stage

    As utilities face more extreme weather events and growing pressure to secure supply for future generations, integrating climate resilience into asset management and operations is critical. Join this session to gain the latest insight into what utility networks are doing to mitigate climate risk and environmental impact, ensure operational resilience and minimise disruption to consumers.


    Chair welcome and introduction
    Ruth Williams - Utility Week

    SIF Funded Predict 4 Resilience: accurate fault insights during adverse weather events
    Fraser Lynch, Control Room Manager - SP Energy Networks

    Climate Resilience Demonstrator (CReDo+): resilience against climate stresses of extreme heat, wind, flood and soil moisture
    Alanna Gluck, CReDO Engagement Lead - Connected Places Catapult

    Talk title coming soon
    To be announced
     
  4. Resilience Stage

    Utility networks need to transform operations to be more sustainable. Understanding the ways to benchmark, monitor and report of ESG initiatives is critical to improving the current way of working. Join this session to learn how companies are decarbonising operations, improving sustainability reporting and meeting regulatory requirements.


    Chair welcome and introduction
    Matt Mace, Editor - edie

    The breadth and depth of sustainability and net zero in water
    Dan Green, Group Sustainability Director - YTL Group/Wessex Water

    Less talk, more action: moving beyond reporting to delivering sustainably
    Sarah Beattie-Smith, Senior Sustainability Manager - SSE Transmission

    Making carbon visible: turning transparency into transformation
    Ella Moorey, Group Sustainability Lead - Utilita

  5. Resilience Stage

    What does the future hold for the gas network? Will gas use decline due to electrification? What role could green gases like biomethane and hydrogen play? And what does that mean for our gas infrastructure? Will we still need it? If so, how much and for what purpose? What might the regulatory impacts of a declining user base be? This session explores all of these things and more.


    Chair welcome and introduction
    James Earl, Chief Executive - FEN

    Talk title coming soon
    Adam Bell, Director of Policy - Stonehave

    Talk title coming soon

    To be announced



    The role of Gas Networks in supporting integrated energy systems
    Jonathan Martindale, Director of Business Development - Phoenix Energy

    The role of biomethane in a GB whole energy system
    Nic Crowe, Co Chair - Green Gas Taskforce

20 May 2026
  1. Resilience Stage

    Leakage poses a major challenge due to resource loss, increased operational costs, and environmental impact. Aging infrastructure, poor monitoring, and delayed maintenance often contribute to undetected leaks. This session explores the latest innovations, maintenance strategies and technologies helping networks drastically reduce leakage.


    Chair welcome and introduction
    Jeremy Heath, Innovation Manager - SES Water

    Targeting 50% reductions by 2050: how will we meet the 50 by 50 challenge?
    Jeremy Heath, Innovation Manager - SES Water

    The industry-wide ambition on customer side leakage and the impact of wide-spread smart metering
    Sarah Watts, Smart Solutions Project Lead - Dayworth Consulting

    Deep dive into Welsh Water’s leakage strategy and rollout of innovative approaches
    Chris Rees, Head of Water Engineering - Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water

  2. Resilience Stage

    With increasing pressure on water companies to mitigate environmental harm from combined sewer overflows (CSOs), the sector must embrace innovation and smarter operations to reduce spills. This session will examine emerging technologies, regulatory expectations and nature-based solutions to address the challenge.


    Chair and update from the National Storm Overflow Hub
    Nik Perepelov, Head of Natural Environment - Water UK

    Regulatory expectations and finding a way forward for nature based solutions
    Matthew Stembrowicz, Senior Advisor - EA

    Tackling the problem at source: pre pipe solution
    Matt Wheeldon, Director of Infrastructure Development - Wessex Water

    Treating more with nature based solutions
    Claire Green, Manager of Environmental Planning and Governance - Yorkshire Water

  3. Resilience Stage

    As heavy industries move toward decarbonisation, the UK must align its energy system to support cleaner processes without compromising reliability. This session explores how policy and innovation are driving the necessary infrastructure build and innovative solutions to deliver security of supply.


    Chair welcome and introduction
    Lucinda Dann, Features Editor - Utility Week

    Decarbonising industrial clusters with microgrids
    Paul Glendinning, Director of Energy Systems - Northern Power Grid

    Innovation for industrial water users: finding alternatives to drinking water for industrial processes
    Mallak Mustafa, Innovation Project Manager - Southern Water

    Leveraging the value of co-location in meeting demand (for data centres)
    Alex Howison, Director - Eclipse Power Optimise
     
  4. Resilience Stage

    To truly reap the rewards of NBS and ensure long-term impact, utilities need to take a catchment approach to deployment. By considering the entire landscape and upstream-downstream interactions, utilities can better manage resources, reduce risks, and enhance ecosystem services. Join this session to uncover holistic strategies, how to maintain successful partnerships and how to integrate NBS into broader water management plans.


    Chair welcome and introduction
    Gabriela Dotro, Chair - Constructed Wetlands Association

    River basin management engaging with multiple players across a catchment
    Mike Morris, Technical Director - Stantec

    Managing catchment scale risk management of assets: responding to climate change
    Laura Burnett, Climate Change Adaptation Technical Lead - Scottish Water

    Talk title coming soon
    Amina Aboobakar - Rivers Trust

19 May 2026
  1. Energy Flexibility Stage

    To scale flex markets at pace, energy networks and retailers need to design products and tariffs that are attractive, engaging and offer the right level of incentives to consumers. Join this session to delve into the detail of how the industry is taking innovation and pilots to BAU and the measures they’re deploying to scale flexibility services capacity.


    Chair welcome and introduction
    Andrew Schein, Director of Trials and Analysis - Centre for Net Zero

    Designing next generation products
    Geraldine de Boisse, Global VP Product - Octopus

    Monetising consumer flex to improve customer acquisition and retention
    Karl Bach, Founder and Chief Executive - Axle Energy

    Using AI user simulation to inform service design for flexibility
    Michael Fell, Principal Research Fellow - UCL

  2. Energy Flexibility Stage

    Digital infrastructure underpins efficient and accessible flexibility markets, but more needs to be done to share data and enable innovation to scale. Join this session to uncover the innovative approaches being adopted to build digital infrastructure, bridge data gaps and unlock flexibility market access.


    Chair welcome and introduction
    Nina Klein, Principal Policy Expert – Flexibility - Ofgem

    Driving innovation through digital systems
    Jessica McGoverne, Director of Corporate Affairs - Elexon

    Building data sharing infrastructure to support flex
    Sasha Shipulina, Programme Manager– Virtual Power System - NESO

    Talk title coming soon
    To be announced

  3. Energy Flexibility Stage

    Gaining traction with I&C customers is critical to unlocking more flex capacity. The challenge is demonstrating the value for end users and minimising disruption to their businesses. Join this session to learn more about partnerships with major energy users and what needs to change to encourage more participation into flex markets.


    Chair welcome and introduction
    Rachel Cary, Head of Industrial Strategy - Energy UK

    Optimising assets with a day job: industrial and commercial assets in flexibility markets
    Claire Addison, Head of Regulation - Flexitricity

    Are data centres an opportunity or obstacle for energy flexibility?
    To be announced

    Talk title coming soon
    Jake Miller, Electric Assets Lead - Drax

  4. Energy Flexibility Stage

    The UK’s Clean Flexibility Roadmap sets out an ambitious vision for scaling low-carbon flexibility to 51–66 GW by 2030 in support of decarbonisation and security of supply. Consumer leg flexibility is a critical enabler of a net-zero power system. But to unlock this at scale, energy retailers, utilities, network operators and regulators must coordinate across infrastructure, markets, and digital systems — and resolve emerging commercial, operational and regulatory tensions.  

    • Do market design standards go far enough and are markets and revenue model investable? 
    • What needs to happen within the next 1–2 years to put the UK on a credible trajectory to hit the short‑term milestones? 
    • Where are the sticking points in delivery — and who is responsible for unblocking them? 
    • What is the role will governance and accountability play in scaling flex? 

    Chair welcome and introduction
    Sarah Honan, Head of ADE:Demand - The ADE

    Panellist
    Fiona Campbell, Interim Deputy Director Retail Flexibility and Consumer Experience - Ofgem
    John Lucas, Head of Market Design - Elexon
    Becky Hart, Head of Flexibility and Electricity Markets Development - NESO

20 May 2026
  1. Energy Flexibility Stage

    Creating flexibility markets that are accessible is critical to scaling and enabling all customers to have more control over their energy bills. This session delves into how to best consider all energy users when designing flexibility products to avoid a two-tier system and ensure an equitable marketplace.


    Chair and scene setting: unlocking flexibility for all
    Dr Rose Chard, Senior Advisor – Fair Futures - Energy Systems Catapult

    Inclusive Flex
    Ella Pinder, Vulnerability Policy Manager - Northern Power Grid

    Equitable approaches to heat with heat pump flexibility from pilot to BAU
    Ryan Huxtable, Innovation Programme Lead - National Grid Electricity Distribution
    Luke Harker, DSO Engineer - National Grid Electricity Distribution

    Talk title coming soon
    To be announced

  2. Energy Flexibility Stage

    Making flex markets as easy to participate in as possible is key to driving successful engagement and leveraging the flex potential of the UK. This session will explore the work being done to improve automation, remove barriers and improve integration of markets.


    Chair welcome and introduction
    Naomi Baker, Senior Policy Manager - Energy UK

    Building better markets: the first five months as market facilitator
    Steven Gough, Head of Flexibility - Elexon

    Talk title coming soon
    Emma Burns, Market Design Manager - Octopus Energy

    Maximising participation through improved customer journey and DSO: NESO coordination
    Alex Howard, Head of Flexibility Markets - UK Power Networks DSO

  3. Energy Flexibility Stage

    As energy systems grow more complex and decentralised, understanding, managing and forecasting flexible assets is more critical than ever. This session explores how visibility, forecasting and automation can unlock the full potential of flexible assets. 


    Chair welcome and introduction
    Tom Grimwood, Insights Editor - Utility Week

    Increasing visibility: AI for forecasting
    Stephen Haben, Senior AI Consultant - Energy Systems Catapult

    Diversity of response and engagement from a range of customers
    Elizabeth Allkins, Director of Future Energy - OVO

    Exploring the latest advancements using forecasting in the DSO
    Jamie Bright, Data Science & Development Manager - UK Power Networks DSO

  4. Energy Flexibility Stage

    To best maximise renewable energy and achieve Clean Power 2030 objectives, the UK needs to increase its short and medium energy storage capability. Understanding the infrastructure needed to enable V2G storage, domestic batteries and more is critical to the successful use of flexible storage. In this session, discover the latest updates into storage technologies, grid readiness programmes and innovation.  


    Chair welcome and introduction
    Naomi Baker, Senior Policy Manager - Energy UK

    Delivering short and medium flexibility
    Rebecca Rosling, Head of Future Energy Systems - EDF

    Talk title coming soon
    Andy Hackett, Policy Advisor - Centre for Net Zero

    Wheels to Watts: Can V2X save the grid?
    Ben Krikler, Head of Energised Futures and Director of Research & Innovation - Centrica

  5. Energy Flexibility Stage

    Energy flexibility is critical to achieving the government’s Clean Power goals for 2030 and beyond. To succeed in the roll out of energy flexibility and scale and pace, the UK needs a driving force to take the position of commissioner. Join this interview to explore the key objectives and priorities for the Flexibility Commission to ensure momentum in government to facilitate the building of robust markets, the delivery of strong economic and social outcomes and a united approach with buy in from multiple stakeholders.


    Chair welcome and introduction
    Eric Brown, Director - Grid Scientific Limited

    Panellist
    Cathy McClay, Flexibility Commissioner and Managing Director - National Grid DSO

"There are so many interesting things to discover at Utility Week Live. The talks give fascinating insight into issues facing the industry, how to deal with them, and what the future looks like. For someone looking to expand their horizons, it's definitely worth visiting. Utility Week Live is also a very good place to network and meet new people from an array of different companies"

- UWL visitor