Organisations and The Top Names

Ofgem

The Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem) is a regulatory body in the United Kingdom that regulates monopoly companies which run gas networks. This helps to put prices under control, as well as enforcing decisions for improvements on energy efficiency so they meet environmental standards.

OfGem are responsible for:

  • working with government, industry and consumer groups to deliver a net-zero economy, at the lowest cost to consumers
  • stamping out sharp and bad practice, ensuring fair treatment for all consumers, especially the vulnerable
  • enabling competition and innovation, which drives down prices and results in new products and services for consumers.

OfGem work within a statutory framework agreed by Parliament, which outlines the duties expected of the organization as well as granting them the powers they need to achieve each objective set.

It is the government’s responsibility to set and propose changes for energy policy. They have a clear role in supporting policies such as decarbonization, but they do not direct overall policy within this sector. However, when there are important gaps that affect consumers present OfGem are in place and can call those out so that there is further awareness around this issue.

Previously known as our Executive Director of Systems and Networks in April of 2018, February of 2020 saw Jonathan Brearley nominated as their own Chief Executive.

Having earned a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Physics from Glasgow University, he later went on to earn a Masters degree in Economics from the University of Cambridge.

Jonathan is a go-getter with strong ties to the energy sector. He has led Electricity Market Reform as the Director for Energy Markets and Networks at DECC, where he developed Climate Change Act legislation before moving on to lead cross-government strategy unit focussed on climate change and energy issues in his role as head of Office of Climate Change.

Jonathan’s wide portfolio experience includes work that spans both policy development (as leader) and implementation efforts like leading electricity market reform.

BEIS

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) replaced the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) and the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) in July 2016. Today, they have around 3,000 people employed within the organization that is scattered throughout London, Aberdeen and the rest of the United Kingdom.

They are responsible for:

  • Business
  • Industrial strategy
  • Science, Research and Innovation
  • Energy and clean growth
  • Climate change

Today, their priorities lie in a handful of worldwide, with most recent issues lying within fighting the impacts of COVID-19 in businesses and workplaces as well as encouraging the development and manufacture of a vaccine;

BEIS look to reduce UK greenhouse gasses and gas emissions as an attempt at tacking climate change in order to reach Net Zero by 2050. You can learn more about their updated goals here.

Previously acting as the Minister of State, Kwasi Kwarteng was appointed Secretary of State at the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy on 8 January 2021.

Kwasi was in charge of the Department for Exiting the European Union from 16 November 2018 to 24 July 2019, and studied Classics and History at Trinity College in Cambridge, and then went on to attend Harvard University on a Kennedy Scholarship. He returned to the UK with a PhD in Economic History from the University of Cambridge one year later.

Kwasi was a British MP who worked as an analyst in the financial sector before he became elected. He is also part of various committees, including Transport and Work and Pensions Committees which are both important areas to learn about because they’re very different from one another.

Kwasi has been working as a Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS) for quite some time. His first PPS role was in 2015 when he became The Leader of the House Lords, and then later took on an even more prestigious position which required him to work with the Chancellor of Exchequer.

Similarly, Michael Mathewson was appointed Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport in May of 2021.

As the Cabinet Secretary, Matthew is responsible for:

  • Cross-government co-ordination of Net Zero policy
  • Climate crisis and environmental protection
  • COP26 delivery
  • Biodiversity
  • Sustainable development
  • Circular economy, including implementation of the Deposit Return Scheme
  • Cross-government co-ordination of infrastructure (policy, investment and commission)
  • Cross-government delivery of 20-minute neighbourhoods
  • Renewable energy industries
  • Energy and energy consents
  • Energy efficiency
  • National Public Energy Agency
  • Heating and domestic energy transformation
  • Heat networks
  • Fuel poverty
  • Physical and marine environment
  • Flood prevention and coastal erosion
  • Scottish Environmental Protection Agency
  • NatureScot
  • Zero Waste Scotland
  • Water quality and Scottish Water
  • Strategic Transport Projects Review

Born in Glasgow in 1970, Michael grew up to study at Queen Margaret College, Edinburgh, where he obtained a BSc in Occupational Therapy. Alongside this, he holds a diploma in Applied Social Sciences fro the Open University.

Before the MSP position, Mathewson practiced his profession as an occupation therapist throughout Scotland with Stirling Council, Central Regional Council and Highland Regional Council.

After being elected as the MSP for Falkirk West following the May 2007 elections, Michael Matheson was appointed Minister of Public Health and Sport in 2009. He also sat on a variety of committees including justice, enterprise and culture committees before his appointment to cabinet secretary for Justice in November 2014, and continued to be reappointed two years later. In June of 2018, he was appointed Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity.

EU: the Energy Institute

The Energy Institute is dedicated to providing professionals in the energy industry with resources and technical support. It provides memberships for engineers, scientists, oil workers and more. Members have access to a variety of different benefits such as professional networking opportunities at conferences that are attended by some of today’s top minds on the topic.

The EI website offers an extensive programme of online training courses covering a variety of energy topics – whether you are a company looking to develop your staff or professional wanting to improve their career, they have the resources and expertise available for you. They also offer support network that will help with anything from understanding credit ratings on various companies in the industry, getting tips on how best to communicate so as not be misunderstood by colleagues in other countries who speak different languages than yours- all while helping connect people like yourself through social media channels such as Facebook and Twitter.

Courses are set from £70 up to £250 on Offshore Environmental Awareness,  Corrosion Under Consultation levels and ESOS Assessor certificates.

Former Chief Executive National Grid, President Steve Holliday FREng FEI current still acts as Chairman of both Zenobe, CityFibre and Crisis, the homeless Charity. In his personal life, he is known to volunteer with the Carers and Enterprise Company where he also stands as Vice Chairman of the business. Lastly, he is the Chairman of the Black Stork Charity.

Steve is a man who has seen many things in his time. As the Board Director responsible for UK and Europe since 2001, Steve became Chief Executive of National Grid Group in 2007 until he retired from this position 10 years later.

Steve has a wealth of experience in the oil and gas industry. Before joining National Grid, he was on the Board for British Borneo Oil and Gas where he helped develop their international businesses in Brazil, Australia, West Africa. Steve had also spent much of his early career with Exxon Corporation holding senior roles like refining manager as well as shipping director before moving to International business developing LNG terminals around Europe including construction projects that are currently under way at Wilhelmshaven refinery near Hamburg, Germany.

Steve is an intelligent, talented individual who has had a long and distinguished career both in academia and the private sector. He holds a BSc degree from Nottingham University and honorary doctorates from both Nottingham and Strathclyde universities; As if this were not enough to impress you with his credentials, he’s also served as National Ambassador for HRH The Prince of Wales from 2012-2014.