Rising Star: The shortlist
From left to right (back row): Grace Wood-Lofthouse; Cerys Goodson; Alison Sleightholm (presenter); Kayleigh Harwood; Jen Creaser; Zoe Stevens. Front row: Nina Möger Bentsson; Hannah Spurgeon; Sophie Mullins; Mary Lavis
Amelia Ainsworth, Trident Utilities
Ainsworth excels in external consultancy but also leads Trident's commitment to net zero. She manages the project with precision, setting science-based targets and overseeing data collection, enhancing Trident's delivery of net-zero services. Her approach doesn't merely change services, it elevates and shapes them, ensuring they are aligned with wider sustainable practices.
The judges said: “Amelia is having a significant impact on her organisation by driving her continued growth and development”
Cerys Goodson, E.ON
Goodson joined E.ON on a four-year future leaders degree apprenticeship. Throughout her apprenticeship, she worked in a variety of important and challenging roles. These included customer service advisor, smart metering transformation, as a finance business partner in E.ON’s solutions business, and as a team manager working to recover debt. “She has never shied away from what others might have viewed as a difficult placement or tough area of the business,” says E.ON.
The judges said: “Lots of evidence of proactive learning and going above and beyond expectations in the role”
Emily Leonard, UK Power Networks
Leonard’s work means those in the most vulnerable situations in society – who are living through an energy and cost-of-living crisis – are one step closer to equity and equality. She has helped win eight awards in 18 months, including the Business Green Leaders Awards ‘Green Infrastructure Project of the Year’, National Technology Awards ‘Analytics Project of the Year’ and Better Society Awards ‘Energy Tech Innovation’.”
The judges said: “Great to see the impact of the number of customers on the PSR”
Grace Wood-Lofthouse, SES Water
SES Water says Wood-Lofthouse embodies the values of the company. In a relatively short space of time, she has been a driving force for embedding collaborative working across the business, enhancing SES’s environmental credentials and influencing the evolution of social strategy. She is well-respected by her peers and counterparts across the industry.
The judges said: “Grace is clearly driving an impactful agenda through her work at SES, contributing to key industry ambitions such as sustainability”
Hannah Spurgeon, Baringa
Spurgeon has been outstanding since she joined Baringa as an analyst, building on previous achievements in which she contributed to her community on food poverty, and her love of engineering by being a STEM ambassador. Spurgeon has worked across the spectrum of energy industry challenges and topics, including regulation, innovation, and energy markets. Baringa says: “She delivers excellence in a manner that is inclusive, personable, and authentic.”
The judges said: “Fantastic nomination demonstrating Hannah’s rise and development through from a year’s placement in the industry to her current role”
Jen Creaser, National Grid
Creaser is senior data scientist for National Grid Electricity Distribution. Her passion lies in championing innovative solutions to multifaceted data problems by combining, adapting and applying novel methodologies. Her “game-changing” work for NGED has revolutionised the use of helicopter data, saved over £280,000 in maintenance costs, and brought NGED to the forefront of the AI revolution.
The judges said: “Jen is clearly making an impact across her organisation and her wider industry, supporting decarbonisation”
Kayleigh Harwood, Utility Aid
Harwood is an “innovative individual who prioritises her customer’s needs above all”, says Utility Aid. “She is highly motivated to bring out the best in everyone she works with and always willing to put in time, effort, and a huge amount of work to succeed. She is an inspirational leader, mentor and coach and a future energy champion.”
The judges said: “Kayleigh sounds like she's had a hugely successful start at her organisation”
Lisa Treseder, Kensa Group
Her company says: “Beyond her impressive portfolio of projects, Lisa’s influence extends to the broader industry as a thought leader. Her talks and presentations at industry events are not only well-received but also serve as a source of inspiration for those looking to navigate the complex landscape of sustainable development. Lisa's passion for her work, coupled with her expertise, positions her as a guiding force in the journey toward a more sustainable and eco-friendly future.”
The judges said: “Lisa's renewable projects are really impressive”
Louise Lee, Correla
One of Lee’s key strengths is introducing experiences from other sectors to colleagues to drive knowledge and innovative thinking. She has selected several external networks to collaborate with, both inside and outside the sector. Lee also leads Correla’s participation in inclusion campaigns including Race Equality Week and National Inclusion Week.
The judges said: “Louise has designed and championed and influenced changes in the talent management processes to attract, develop and retain diverse talent”
Mary Lavis, Amber
Lavis joined the energy industry just under three years ago. Her ability and commitment have been central to successful delivery of Amber’s trading and risk team. She is quickly becoming the go-to expert in the energy market. Lavis’s first year at Amber saw her portfolio save 739% (more than £120 million) against peak 2022 / 2023 markets, with her current project redefining the management of purchasing requirements.
The judges said: “Mary is clearly driving significant value for Amber, with her work contributing across their customers and the wider industry”
Sophie Mullins, Amber
Mullins’ journey from environmental consultancy to product leadership at Amber showcases her passionate commitment to sustainability. She has driven collaboration to transform products, including a small business flexible green energy product and bespoke net-zero offerings across industry types. Her impact extends beyond her role, advocating for B Corp principles and spearheading initiatives like Power2Africa. Mullins’ “inclusive leadership style and dedication to positive change position her as an inspirational figure”.
The judges said: “Her volunteering and focus of her role is contributing materially to broader industry and organisational goals”
Zoe Stevens, Network Plus
Her company says: “Zoe’s commitment ‘to do the best and be the best she can be,’ has driven her to make a significant contribution not only to Network Plus but to the clients and communities we work with. Her approach is infectious and as a well-respected member of the team, she is able to lead others, ignite change and work collaboratively to achieve success in the form of financial savings, sourcing innovative solutions to problems, and encouraging new talent into the industry.”
The judges said: “Zoe has made material contributions to the goals of her organisation and it's great to see her extending this into the industry”
Woman of the Year: The shortlist
From left to right: Lynne McDonald; Karen Thompson; Monica Collings; Angela Booth; Jo Dow; Susan McDonald
Angela Booth, Thames Water
Angela founded Thames Water’s women’s network in 2018, delivering a step-change in maternity and menopause policies. She created a cross-industry forum for women’s network chairs, even attracting the attendance of the regulator. She’s supported other businesses to create their own networks, speaking at multiple events and industry forums with clear, actionable advice and resources. Booth’s impressive career journey led to an interim-director role in 2023, leading a major business unit through an incredibly challenging period.
The judges said: “Angela’s nomination highlights her exceptional leadership, active support for women, and inspirational presence in the water industry”
Karen Thompson, Capgemini UK
Thompson is an “admired and revered” figure at Capgemini Invent – boasting a rare combination of capabilities, drive for results, and deep sector experience. Actively engaged with Capgemini Invent’s Women in Utilities forum, Women in Invent Network, and Black Women’s Network, Thompson is a believer in an inclusive, diverse workforce. When she’s not coaching junior females in this organisation, she can be found hosting career talks in schools in a bid to inspire the next generation of women in utilities.
The judges said: “Strong track record, heavily involved in inclusion activities internally, a mentor, and supports young girls in schools programmes”
Lynne McDonald, UK Power Networks
Senior engineer and leader McDonald has spearheaded transformative initiatives, from delivering rollout of thousands of low-voltage monitoring units, to leading cross-directorate programmes, all while championing diversity and inclusion. She guides teams through complex challenges, exemplifying excellence and inspiring future engineers.
The judges said: “Lynne's track record of success, commitment to mentorship, and advocacy for positive change in the workplace and the broader community exemplify her as a role model”
Monica Collings, portfolio non-executive director
An admired role model, Collings was the sole female chief executive leading a UK domestic supplier through the energy crisis in her time at So Energy, also building a portfolio career as the only female non-executive director on Swarm Energy’s board. She is a steadfast champion for diversity and visibly committed to championing women remain in energy. Her impact has been both directly on individuals and across the sector.
The judges said: “Formerly the only female CEO in a supply company, strong track record, very active in the sector, and an active champion for women”
Shaunna Berendsen, Anglian Water
Currently chief innovation officer at Anglian Water, Berendsen’s impact is measured far beyond the region her organisation serves. Whether it is improving workplace conditions for colleagues, bringing proven, innovative solutions to the water industry, or fundraising and sharing thought leadership, she is committed to empowering those around her as she works to drive diversity, collaboration and innovation in the water sector.
The judges said: “A strong track record, very active in the sector, and an active champion for women”
Susan McDonald, Deloitte
McDonald is an award-winning electrical and mechanical engineer with over 13 years’ experience designing and overseeing major engineering infrastructure programmes in the power, utilities, and renewables sectors. She is now energy transition lead in Deloitte’s sustainability and climate strategy team, supporting some of the UK’s largest private sector organisations in developing robust net-zero strategies. She is passionate about the power of engineering to tackle major societal challenges and build a more inclusive, equitable and sustainable future.
The judges said: “Susan's nomination exemplifies her remarkable contributions to the energy industry and her unwavering dedication to supporting women's advancement”
