Agenda

Stephani Budenberg is a dynamic professional currently serving as a consultant at Baringa, where she has developed expertise in energy generation and trading. Steph previously served as President of the Oxford University Materials Society, where she facilitated partnerships with industry leaders like Airbus and Rolls-Royce. She has demonstrated exceptional analytical skills through projects such as evaluating Oxfordshire's housing market impacts for the Oxfordshire Community Foundation. Her leadership extends beyond academia, having revitalized the Queen's College Boat Club as Women's Captain and successfully managed large-scale events like the Queen's College Commemoration Ball. Steph's diverse experiences highlight her commitment to fostering collaboration, strategic thinking, and impactful solutions.

Sarah Butler is Head of Energy Storage & Flexibility within the UK Government Department for Energy Security & Net Zero. Her current role focuses on innovative programmes and projects seeking to support a smarter, more flexible and decarbonised energy system. This includes leading the Net Zero Innovation Portfolio's up to £65m Flexibility Innovation Programme. Sarah has worked in climate change and energy across international, national and local settings, including roles in climate change mitigation policy and economics at the United Nations, managing EU funded smart city demonstrator programmes, and delivering innovative low carbon technologies and infrastructure.

Maryann Chen is a dynamic executive with over 18 years of experience in finance, digital transformation, and technology innovation. Currently, she is the CEO of Kaasai, a tech startup focused on revolutionizing the automation of data collection, translation, and management, with applications in the energy sector. At Kaasai, Maryann guides the development of AI, generative analytics, and real-time data solutions. Previously, she founded ClearDeskHQ, a platform enabling digital transformation through simplified management of business applications, and served as Principal CFO for SMEs at The FD Centre. Maryann holds an MBA from the Australian Graduate School of Management and is a qualified Chartered Accountant.

Ed Curwen is an Innovation Manager at Motability Operations, where he focuses on making the transition to electric vehicles accessible for customers with disabilities. With a background in product and service design, Ed has worked at Magnetic, an innovation consultancy, helping large companies grow through customer research and user-centered design. Prior to his career in innovation, Ed was a journalist at the BBC, covering business and economics, and producing content for BBC Breakfast and BBC Radio Five Live. His diverse experience spans media, consultancy, and innovation, with a strong focus on driving growth through experimentation, customer insights, and creative strategies. Ed is passionate about making EV charging infrastructure inclusive, advocating for accessible solutions that ensure no one is left behind in the move towards sustainable mobility.

Gill Davies is Programme Manager in the BEIS Smart Energy Innovation team at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, where she oversees key projects aimed at advancing energy innovation. Prior to this, Gill served as the Monitoring and Evaluation Lead for the DFID-funded Low Energy Inclusive Appliances (LEIA) Programme at the Energy Saving Trust, where she worked on enhancing the availability and efficiency of off-grid energy solutions. With a background that includes roles as Project Manager for a Gates Foundation-funded microbial fuel cell project at Bristol Robotics Lab, and senior consultant for IOD PARC, her expertise spans both technical and policy-driven aspects of sustainable energy. Gill holds a PhD in African Studies from the University of Edinburgh, where her research focused on market-based approaches to increasing access to clean energy in sub-Saharan Africa, alongside an MSc in Environmental Technology from Imperial College London.

Dr. Michael Evans is an experienced energy professional specializing in optimization, analytics, and flexibility within the energy sector. Currently serving as the Optimisation and Analytics Lead at Octopus Energy, Michael leads initiatives to enhance energy flexibility, leveraging advanced data analytics and optimization techniques. His previous roles include Lead Flexibility Analyst at Octopus Energy, where he played a key role in pioneering the integration of electric vehicles into the UK's energy balancing mechanisms. Michael has also worked as a Flexibility Manager at Moixa (part of Lunar Energy), focusing on energy storage and demand-side flexibility. He holds a PhD in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Imperial College London, where he also contributed as a Visiting Researcher. Michael's expertise is particularly focused on smart grids, vehicle-to-grid technologies, and optimizing energy systems for greater sustainability and efficiency.

Akshat Gupta has extensive experience in various roles related to innovation, renewables, and risk management in the energy industry. With a background in civil engineering and operational research, Akshat has worked for companies like EDF, OVO, and The Mobility House. Akshat has expertise in market analysis, strategy, and developing disruptive business models. Akshat has also served as a subject matter expert for the Global Association of Risk Professionals, focusing on energy risk management. Akshat's educational background includes a Master's degree from The London School of Economics and Political Science, as well as certifications in energy risk management and corporate finance.

Daniel Heery is a digital infrastructure and technology expert with over 20 years of experience in rural and urban connectivity, electric vehicle charging, and ICT innovation. He is a Director at The Community Broadband Network, where he specializes in delivering transformational digital infrastructure projects through community-driven models. Daniel is also deeply involved in Charge My Street, a social enterprise that addresses EV charging accessibility by raising investment through community shares, and Cybermoor, where he leads the 5GRIT 5G rural testbed project for Innovate UK and DCMS. With a background in Town & Country Planning from Newcastle University, Daniel is passionate about using technology to drive economic growth and improve quality of life in underserved communities.

Alex Howard leads the Flexibility Markets team at UKPN. Before joining UK Power Networks, he held product, strategy and research roles at Octopus Energy and at Origami, where he worked closely with flexibility providers and renewable asset owners operating in ancillary service and wholesale energy markets. He also worked at the Ministry of Defence and Royal Mail, helping them to adapt to advances in technology and a changing world. He has a degree in Computer Science, two children and an electric bike.

Rachel Jones is an international leading practitioner in strategic design with 20 years' experience in innovating new digital services for organizations such as Microsoft, Vodafone and Transport for London. Rachel led the development of energy services for organisations such as Hitachi, Bulb, Bristol Energy and Upside Energy, exploring smart systems and flexible services in local energy, domestic heating and EVs. Rachel led Hitachi's Co-creation Centre in Europe and was responsible for engaging C-level executives from other organizations in exploring partnership opportunities and shaping collaborative projects.

Before this, Rachel carried out digital intervention programs in healthcare, for diseases such as cancer and diabetes. At Hitachi, Rachel initiated and led a lifestyle behaviour change platform for tackling obesity and was involved in the re-design of the NHS breast screening program. Rachel has a PhD in Human-Centred Design.

Sean Keily is an experienced senior leader in the energy and e-mobility sectors, currently serving as the Head of B2C Sales for E.ON Drive UK. With over 15 years at E.ON, he has been instrumental in shaping the company's strategy for electric vehicle charging, smart energy solutions, and connected home services. Sean leads the development of innovative EV products and services, including smart charging tariffs, digital experiences, and strategic partnerships, while managing the full P&L for E.ON's B2C offerings. Previously, he held leadership roles in E.ON UK's residential propositions, overseeing product strategies across energy solutions such as solar, battery storage, and heating, with a focus on the energy transition to electrification and decarbonization. Prior to his tenure at E.ON, Sean gained extensive marketing experience at Boots Healthcare International and in FMCG sectors. He holds a BA (Hons) in Business Studies with a focus on marketing from the University of Wolverhampton.

Rosie Knight is the Flexibility Delivery Lead at Ohme, where she leads the company's involvement in the Crowdflex project, the UK's largest domestic flexibility study. With a background in environmental technology from Imperial College London and experience in decarbonising heat and energy systems at Gemserv, Rosie has worked on various projects aimed at advancing the UK's energy transition, including Vehicle-to-Grid technologies and smart metering programs. Her previous roles have involved managing government-backed initiatives, such as the On-street Residential Charge-point Scheme and leading energy integration projects.

Steve Large is the CEO and Technical Director of Hangar19 Ltd, a company specializing in sustainable transport systems, energy management, and smart city technologies. With over 20 years of experience in the tech and automotive sectors, Steve has led the development of innovative solutions for electric vehicle charging infrastructure, renewable energy management, and environmental monitoring. Prior to founding Hangar19, he held key roles at POD Point Ltd and Visteon Corporation, where he contributed to groundbreaking advancements in EV infrastructure and automotive electronics. Steve is passionate about leveraging IoT, cloud-based software, and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technologies to create smarter, more sustainable cities and transport systems. He holds an MBA in Technology Management from the Open University and a BEng (Hons) in Mechatronics from the University of Leeds.

Dr. Will Maden has a diverse work experience that spans over several companies and roles. Will is currently the COO at Fuuse, a company specializing in charge point management systems. Will is responsible for overseeing operations and ensuring the delivery of high-quality services. Prior to this, Will served as the CIO at Fuuse, where they played a crucial role in developing and implementing innovative solutions for charge point management, billing, and energy management.

Before joining Fuuse, Will worked as a CIO at Miralis Data, where they leveraged their expertise in data analytics, algorithm development, and artificial intelligence to provide solutions to various businesses. Will has successfully delivered significant productivity gains and cost-savings to companies, including Europcar, Co-Op Group, Ford, and others.

Will has also been actively involved in the EV charging industry, serving as a Director at Charge my Street. Will played a key role in addressing the challenge of EV charging for households without driveways and managed the installation of charge points through community shares.

John McHugh is the Co-founder and Software & Analysis Lead at the Centre for Energy Equality. With a passion for supporting vulnerable communities, he has led the development and delivery of innovative solutions that help drive a just energy transition. His work includes pioneering EV and battery storage initiatives that enhance energy access and improved affordability.

Claire Miller is an innovator, engineer, and advisor to high impact UK start-ups and established organisations in mobility and energy. She has experience in emerging and establishing technologies, commercial and customer propositions, and policy and regulation across electric vehicles, charging, and energy flexibility. Claire has a MEng in Mechanical Engineering from Imperial College, London and was formerly Director of Tech & Innovation at Octopus Electric Vehicles.

Russ Morgan is the Commercial Innovations Director at Ohme, a leading company in intelligent electric vehicle charging solutions. With a diverse international career spanning over 10 countries, Russ brings extensive experience in strategic management, customer experience, and business innovation. He has held leadership roles at various organizations, including as the Co-Founder and Director of Operations at Bidvine, where he helped grow a successful service marketplace. Russ holds an MBA from the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management.

Dr. Marc Mültin is the Founder and CEO of Switch, a deep-tech company at the forefront of transforming the electric vehicle charging landscape. With over 13 years of experience in the EV industry, Marc has become a global expert in EV communication standards, particularly ISO 15118 and OCPP 2.x, and has co-authored ISO 15118, a key standard for EV charging interoperability. At Switch, Marc leads the development of cutting-edge solutions such as the Josev EV charger OS and the Switch cloud platform, which aim to simplify and future-proof the EV charging experience.

Prior to founding Switch, Marc held positions in research and development, including at Chargepartner GmbH and as a Research Scientist at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT). He earned a PhD in Informatics from KIT and has consulted for numerous companies on EV charging standards. Marc is passionate about advancing the infrastructure that supports sustainable mobility and has trained over 100 companies globally on ISO 15118 technology.

Simon Munk is a seasoned climate and energy policymaker with a rich background in healthcare policy and innovation. Currently, Simon serves as the Head of Electric Vehicle Smart Charging at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, where he leads efforts to develop policies that enable flexible EV charging, remove barriers to new technologies, and engage consumers with the benefits of this emerging solution. His work also includes advising on the acceleration of demand-side response deployment.

Simon's experience spans both the public and private sectors, having worked with the World Bank on healthcare decarbonisation frameworks, led sustainability initiatives within the NHS at UCLPartners, and consulted for startups in the health and climate domain at Carbon13. With a decade of experience in healthcare policy, Simon has driven innovative solutions to decarbonise healthcare systems, including the development of a strategy to decarbonise NHS hospitals and promoting early intervention in children's mental health.

Mark Pagett is an experienced technology researcher specializing in intelligent power systems and advanced automotive technologies. With over 20 years in multidisciplinary automotive research, he currently serves as a Senior Engineer at Nissan Motor Corporation, where he focuses on cutting-edge battery and EV powertrain innovations. Mark's career spans roles in powertrain research, advanced engineering, and materials science at Nissan Technical Centre Europe and earlier positions at MG Rover and Huf Group. Holding an MSc in Colour & Coatings Chemistry from the University of Leeds, he is committed to advancing sustainable energy solutions, including Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technologies that integrate renewables and enhance energy systems.

Mark Potter is the Chief Technical Officer at 3ti Energy Hubs, a leading provider of smart solar and EV charging solutions. With over 16 years of experience in disruptive start-ups, Mark has played a pivotal role in the development of cutting-edge electric vehicle and charging technologies, as well as high-voltage battery design, solar generation, and control systems. Prior to joining 3ti, he held senior roles at Protean Electric, where he led global engineering teams and contributed to the market launch of innovative propulsion and suspension systems. Mark holds an MEng in Electronic Engineering and Computing Science from Swansea University.

Andrew Ross is the Founder and Director of the Centre for Energy Equality, a social enterprise dedicated to ensuring that the transition to a low-carbon energy system is accessible to all communities, particularly those at risk of being left behind. With a background in energy innovation and a strong commitment to tackling fuel poverty, Andrew has led initiatives such as Fairer Warmth, a platform connecting organizations with households to secure affordable and sustainable energy. He has held leadership roles in prominent energy organizations, including AECOM, Frazer-Nash Consultancy, and National Grid, where he developed and managed energy transition projects. Andrew's work focuses on making energy solutions equitable, helping ensure that the benefits of decarbonisation reach every community. He is also involved in the Looped Energy Communities CIC, which decarbonizes heating at no upfront cost to consumers.

Mike Schooling is an accomplished entrepreneur and technical specialist with over a decade of experience in the renewable energy and EV sectors. In 2013, he founded Indra Renewable Technologies Ltd., a leading UK company specializing in smart EV chargers and energy solutions, where he served as CTO and CPO. Mike led the development of groundbreaking products like Smart PRO, Smart LUX, and V2X, including Scirius, the world's largest domestic V2G trial. He also played a pivotal role in creating Indraverse, a cloud platform managing these devices, which became Europe's highest-rated domestic EVSE app. With a strong background in IT, cybersecurity, and electronics, Mike brings a unique blend of technical expertise and business leadership to the evolving energy landscape.

Dr. Josey Wardle is a professional engineer with over 25 years of project management experience in both the private and public sectors, spanning automotive, consumer electronics and aerospace. Since 2010 Josey has worked in the electric vehicle charging industry, project managing national and international infrastructure projects for vehicle OEMs, local authorities and businesses. She also has a PhD investigating opportunities for new business models to ensure the continued provision and growth of public charging facilities for EV drivers. Josey is currently the Innovation Lead for ZEV Infrastructure at Innovate UK, covering EV charging, V2G/X and hydrogen refueling solutions.

Dr. Claire Weiller is a seasoned professional specializing in the intersection of energy, technology, and innovation, with a strong focus on Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) solutions. Currently serving as Senior Director of Product & Program Management at Fermata Energy, Claire leverages her expertise in product development, strategic partnerships, and market modeling to advance bidirectional EV charging technology. With a PhD in Engineering Management from the University of Cambridge, her career spans roles in market-leading organizations like Heliox, Dreev, and Asper Investment Management. Claire is recognized for her contributions to energy policy, business model innovation, and the scaling of clean energy solutions across Europe and beyond.

Ben Garvey-Cubbon currently serves as the Head of User Experience at Kaluza Flex, where he shapes innovative UX strategies for sustainable energy solutions. With over a decade of experience spanning organizations like OVO Energy and the Office for National Statistics, Ben has honed his expertise in user-centered design, discovery research, and continuous evaluative testing. He holds an MSc in Investigative and Forensic Psychology from the University of Liverpool and a BSc in Psychology and Criminology from Liverpool John Moores University.

Michael Potter is a seasoned leader with a passion for driving innovation in e-mobility, AI, and energy technologies to accelerate the transition to Net Zero. As the CEO of CrowdCharge, he leads a team pioneering AI solutions for energy optimization, particularly in the electric vehicle sector. With over a decade of experience in fleet electrification and energy management, Michael has been at the forefront of projects like "My Electric Avenue" and "Electric Nation," advancing zero-emission transport. His career spans roles in vehicle leasing, fleet management, and electric vehicle consulting, where he champions sustainability and encourages fellow entrepreneurs.

Marcus Fendt studied Industrial Engineering in Munich. Before joining The Mobility House in 2010, he held several management positions in the automotive and energy industry. As CSO and Managing Director at The Mobility House he is responsible for sales, international business development and marketing. His goal with The Mobility House is to create a zero-emission energy and mobility future. The company has over 8 different V2G projects and 4.500 EV batteries commercially in several energy markets.

Albena Ivanova is Head of Delivery - SmartFlex at Kraken. With a strong background in innovation projects within the energy sector, she has led significant initiatives, including battery storage, demand-side response, EV, and Vehicle-to-Grid projects. Previously, she managed the pioneering Powerloop project, a groundbreaking V2G initiative aimed at integrating EVs into the UK energy grid. Albena is passionate about decarbonization and sustainability, having worked extensively with government bodies and industry partners to drive forward clean energy solutions. She holds a Master's in Environmental Technology from Imperial College London and completed Harvard Business School Online's CORe program.

Alex Thwaites is a seasoned leader with over 20 years of experience in driving innovation and growth within the energy and renewable sectors, currently serving as Director of Electric Vehicles at OVO. With expertise in scaling businesses and delivering sustainable solutions, Alex has a strong track record in leading high-performing teams and executing multi-million-pound initiatives. He has played a pivotal role in OVO's EV strategy, overseeing everything from hardware installation to smart charging tariffs and public charging infrastructure. Previously, Alex held senior roles at E.ON, including Head of Sales for residential energy solutions, where he led the company's efforts in renewable energy and electric vehicle charging. He is a Chartered Manager with a master's degree in Strategic Management and Leadership from the Brighton School of Business and Management.

Chris Cox is a certified project manager, chartered engineer, and member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. He spent over a decade working on research and innovation projects in the energy industry before joining Cenex in 2018 to lead their activities relating to energy and infrastructure for transport. Since arriving at Cenex Chris has been responsible for leading a wide range of research programmes looking at Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G), wireless EV charging and smart cities, as well as setting up a team to support organisations across the world with developing their EV infrastructure strategies.

Michael Hurwitz is a future mobility pioneer with a rare mix of experience in national government, city leadership, commercial innovation and the cutting edge of rapidly scaling tech. Michael created and led the UK's national programmes on low carbon transport, electromobility and autonomy. At Transport for London he led future mobility policy and operations, a ground-breaking commercial innovation programme, and work on resilience during COVID. Following a period at EV startup Arrival, Michael is now a Partner at PA Consulting, advising investors, major fleets, leasing companies, infrastructure providers and technology companies on the transition to clean energy and smart mobility. He is also a Fellow at LocalGlobe venture capital, providing support and advice to some of Europe's most exciting tech companies.

James Mater co-founded QualityLogic and is currently the director of strategy for QualityLogic's Smart Energy business. From 2001 to 2008, James oversaw QualityLogic as President and CEO. From 1994 to 1999, he founded and built Revision Labs, which merged with Genoa Technology to become QualityLogic. Prior to Revision Labs, James held product management roles at Tektronix, Floating Point Systems, Sidereal and Solar Division of International Harvester. He holds a bachelor's degree in physics from Reed College, Portland, OR and an MBA from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.

Carol Choi is a seasoned professional in the energy utilities sector with over seven years of experience in developing innovative business models to support the adoption of low-carbon technologies. Currently serving as the Flexibility Commercial Manager at UK Power Networks, she manages a portfolio of flexibility provider accounts and plays a key role in shaping flexibility products and markets at the distribution network level. Carol holds a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Toronto and Imperial College London, respectively. Her expertise spans research and development, environmental consulting, market research, and model simulations for energy balance services.