Rising Star of the Year Award
Top entries for this year’s Rising Star category exceeded expectations, created solutions, displayed initiative, and generated measurable benefits for their organisations. It was difficult for the judges to pick winners, such was the quality of many entries. One judge commented: “The standard of entries was extremely high: really, really good. The majority scored over 30.”
They added: “But we would like to see companies putting forward Rising Stars who perhaps have a lower profile, either publicly or within the business, in 2024. It might also be nice to develop a specific category for apprentices in the future.”
The best entrants approached their roles with special energy and pushed boundaries, creating new ways of doing things off their own back. This was recognised internally with promotion and consistently outstanding feedback from stakeholders.
Judges struggled to separate high achievers in the utility category of the award, with three entries all very worthy contenders for the prize. Sharing information more effectively, improving services for customers, and making companies more efficient using data were some of the advantages realised by our Rising Stars for their business. “The outstanding performers took on more than their already demanding jobs entailed and were able to problem solve.”
Rising Star of the Year Award
Top entries for this year’s Rising Star category exceeded expectations, created solutions, displayed initiative, and generated measurable benefits for their organisations. It was difficult for the judges to pick winners, such was the quality of many entries. One judge commented: “The standard of entries was extremely high: really, really good. The majority scored over 30.”
They added: “But we would like to see companies putting forward Rising Stars who perhaps have a lower profile, either publicly or within the business, in 2024. It might also be nice to develop a specific category for apprentices in the future.”
The best entrants approached their roles with special energy and pushed boundaries, creating new ways of doing things off their own back. This was recognised internally with promotion and consistently outstanding feedback from stakeholders.
Judges struggled to separate high achievers in the utility category of the award, with three entries all very worthy contenders for the prize. Sharing information more effectively, improving services for customers, and making companies more efficient using data were some of the advantages realised by our Rising Stars for their business. “The outstanding performers took on more than their already demanding jobs entailed and were able to problem solve.”
Anglian Water - Victoria Gourlay
Victoria Gourlay has taken her first manager role this year. Instead of taking time to find her feet and settle into the new position she has hit the ground running.
Being accountable for herself and her team but also not afraid to challenge the status quo on process or behaviours within her team.
Within the first month she identified a process error and helped to reclaim £1.1 million.
Collaboration is second nature to Victoria; she is an active communicator role modelling great leadership behaviours to everyone she meets.
ESO - Chris Salter
The Electricity System Operator handles vast amounts of data so we can deliver a secure, reliable electricity system 24/7. But to use that data, engineers and data analysts must learn to digest and translate complex programming languages and navigate complex data relationships. Chris created tools to share this information more effectively across the business, enabling experts to make informed decisions through a straightforward user platform. This platform makes data easier to digest so we can accurately and quickly understand and share insights. This new way of working has driven code modifications and identified a £100 million+ saving per year for consumers.
National Gas - Charlie Baird
Charlie (25) is in his third year of his National Gas apprenticeship. During his apprenticeship he showed great promise in welding and fabrication.
With a nationwide shortage of qualified welders, someone young and willing to learn and develop in this industry has been a huge personal success.
He was entered into the UK welding skills competition where he has reached the finals overcoming some challenges and learning new skills along the way.
Now an approved welder he allowed us to increase our welding capabilities and provided us with bright future in fabrication.
Power NI - Emma-Jo McColgan
Our Rising Star Emma-Jo helped us achieve what at one point felt like the impossible. She supported our customers through a stressful period in relation to receiving their £600 government support payment.
Emma-Jo was on hand to deal with dispute cases and complaints during this period. She liaised with Governing Bodies, PSNI and Regulatory Bodies to guarantee that the customers all got their £600, whilst maintaining that level of trust and communication with our customers throughout.
Emma-Jo rose to the challenge and has continued to strive ever since, constantly developing her own role and being there for all the team!
Utilita Energy - Archie Lasseter
One of Mother Earth’s greatest allies and the force behind the energy industry’s most ambitious net zero target is 31-year-old Archie Lasseter - Utilita’s Head of Sustainability. Archie is the UK’s youngest sustainability game-changer whose passion and foresight delivered through his award-winning work at Utilita has influenced the UK’s largest energy companies to follow suit and do the right thing. When Archie isn’t exploring the latest geothermal heating systems, or completing his Sustainability Masters degree, his time is spent being interviewed by the media and lobbying the government to make the right choices in the interest of the environment.
Wales & West Utilities - Henry James
At just 28 years old, Henry James is an award-winning engineer who has forged an impactful career within the utilities sector. Having joined Wales & West Utilities as a placement student seven years ago, Henry has progressed from strength to strength. In the last 12 months, Henry earned his engineering chartership, helping him secure his new role as Net Zero Portfolio Manager for Industrial Clusters. He now leads a portfolio of projects, delivering ambitious and innovative solutions to help some of the UK’s hardest-to-decarbonise sectors reach net zero. Henry is also an active committee member of the IGEM Welsh Section.
Galliford Try - Kai Woodman
Kai Woodman is a rising star in the Galliford Try planning team and has risen from junior planner in 2021 to Senior Planner in 2023.
Universally liked and appreciated by client and colleagues, Kai has firmly made his mark as a valued member of the Galliford Try business.
Innovative and hard working, with a hint of mischief would sum him up.
LCP Delta - Lucinda Murley
I make accessible the complexities of flexibility, enabling business to develop propositions that serve customers, the energy system and pursue net zero goals.
Flexibility knowledge has traditional been for upstream traders – not customer focused propositions. This must change with a consumer centric energy transition.
Two years ago, I conversed with aggregators or suppliers in Northwest Europe.
Today, I have conversations with investors, start-ups and OEMs based in Norway to Poland. Companies want to engage, and my expertise supports their decisions and participation in flexibility.
Internally I create value through helping colleagues identify flexibility opportunity for their clients.
M Group Services - Bradley Worrell
Bradley Worrell has only worked in the industry for five years, joining Morrison Energy Services as a Senior Environmental Advisor in 2021 on its Cadent Construction Management Organisation (CMO) management team. Despite his age and short time in the industry, Bradley has been critical in delivering our environmental initiatives. His knowledge, enthusiasm and initiative have seen us implement several key innovations and technologies to reduce our environmental impact.
His input into the wider environmental strategy for the contract has been instrumental and Bradley has now been promoted to Environmental and Sustainability Manager his learning to our wider gas transmission business.
M Group Services - Alistair Nicol
Alistair Nicol started working for Caledonia Water Alliance (CWA) in 2016 as a Business Analyst. From the outset, it was clear he is an extremely talented and inspiring individual.
In 2017, Alistair became a Trainee Project Planner within CWA’s Project Management Office (PMO). He has rapidly risen through the various ranks to become PMO and Planning Manager.
During this time, he has transformed our reporting processes, enabling CWA to work more efficiently and accurately.
Alistair is currently responsible for leading a team of seven and managing a project portfolio worth over £140 million per annum.
Occutrace - Natalie Martin
Natalie, with only 3 years in the industry at Occutrace, has firmly established her profile with the market operator and market participants.
She achieved this through her outstanding professionalism and her ability to lead innovative and challenging projects that delivered tangible benefits across the water industry.
Recognising her ability to nurture and develop connections with clients and organisations across the sector, Natalie has taken on the role of Client Services Manager.
She’s continuously proven her star quality, placing her as a strong and knowledgeable figure on the rise. We are pleased to have Natalie as the ‘face’ of our business.
RSE - Bronwyn Spence
Bronwyn Spence achieved a first in MSc Applied Chemistry & Chemical Engineering at the University of Strathclyde. Whilst at University she chaired a working group to design a plant manufacturing acetic acid and it was from here that she started developing her leadership skills. Since joining RSE in 2021 as a Graduate Chemical Engineer Bronwyn excelled quickly, realising that she has a strong passion to lead and drive success. When applying to RSE, Bronwyn stated, “I am passionate about working in a specialist engineering company to support me in achieving my goal to become a future leader.”