Rising Star of the Year - Utility
Celebrating the achievements of emerging talent within the utilities sector over the past year. Open to employees of utilities who have been active in the sector for seven years or less.
Rising Star of the Year Award
Celebrating the achievements of emerging talent within the utilities sector over the past year. Open to employees of utilities who have been active in the sector for seven years or less.
Chris Babey - National Grid Electrcity Distribution
Chris Babey, a Data Scientist in NGED’s IT&D team, has rapidly become an essential contributor to Connections Reform. In only four years in the utilities sector, and fresh from completing a data science apprenticeship and degree at the University of Nottingham, Chris was selected to provide expert support to NGED’s DSO team.
He built automated pipelines, production integrations, and data assurance processes that underpinned NGED’s Readiness Declaration to NESO. Chris combined advanced technical skills with commitment and collaboration, delivering customer-focused improvements to Clearview CP2030 and strengthening NGED’s capability at a critical time for the energy transition.
Ella Moorey - Utilita Energy
At just 26, Ella Moorey has delivered one of the sector’s most important sustainability innovations. By leveraging Utilita’s 92% smart meter penetration, she created the industry’s first Live Carbon Dashboard, giving unprecedented real-time visibility of both operational and customer emissions. By making the data live, Utilita is able to spot patterns immediately, link operational decisions to emissions outcomes in near real-time, and identify opportunities to reduce carbon. This breakthrough has transformed decision-making at board level and empowered households to see the true carbon impact of their energy use.
Esha Pandey - SP Energy Networks
Esha joined SP Energy Networks as an Engineering Graduate and has rapidly become a standout performer in the Transmission Customer Liaison team. Her self-taught data skills, customer-first mindset, and leadership in supporting Connections Reform have delivered measurable business impact—including contributing to our highest-ever Ofgem Quality of Connections score. From streamlining internal processes with Power BI to mentoring new colleagues and creating onboarding resources, Esha’s initiative and innovation have transformed how we work and has made a lasting impact on our team and our business.
John Batterson - Cadent
John exceeded expectations by driving transformational changes in Cadent’s emissions and leakage detection strategy. He led the Advanced Methane Leak Detection (AMLD) and Digital Platform for Leakage Analytics (DPLA) programmes, shifting from estimated to observed leakage, improving accuracy by 30%, helping secure GD3 funding for all GDNs.
His foresight launched methane monitoring ahead of regulation, creating a vital emissions baseline. He revised internal policies, mentored engineers, and collaborated with regulators to shape industry standards. John’s proactive, humble approach has positioned us as a leader in environmental compliance, delivering measurable benefits and setting a benchmark for the wider gas distribution sector.
Lucy Webb - So Energy
Since entering the energy industry in 2020, Lucy Webb has shown an unwavering commitment to empowering people to do meaningful work, with the right skills, in the right roles, at the right time. With experience across generation, trading, and supply, Lucy has built people partnering functions in multiple energy companies, the latest being So Energy, which she joined a year and a half ago. As a trustee of Citizens Advice Rural Cambs, she champions energy customers through debt advice, energy assistance, and redress programmes. Lucy puts people at the heart of the energy transition, making her a Rising Star.
Rob Belcher - UK Power Networks
Rob Belcher is the epitome of the emerging digital face of utilities. The team he leads operates as an internal consultancy for UK Power Networks reach all corners: from generative AI projects to improve substation visibility, saving millions; to leading the development of workforce planning to ensure skills are accounted for as the industry reaches net zero. Utilities are increasingly absorbing, managing and capitalising on the prodigious amounts of data in their ecosystem. Rob Belcher is the personification of the company’s data-driven mindset, as the company continues to strive to meet changing demands of its customers.
Robyn McKenzie - SP Energy Networks
Robyn McKenzie is a Project Management Apprentice at SP Energy Networks, embedded in the Project Management Office for the integration of Electricity North West Limited, one of the organisation’s most complex strategic projects in decades. Robyn leads operational initiatives focused on aligning Storm Response, Capital delivery, and Customer Interruptions, Customer Minutes Lost (CICML) processes across both organisations. She has shaped core delivery processes and engages with executive stakeholders, earning praise for her clarity and strategic insight. A finalist in the Women in Utilities Awards, Robyn is a standout emerging leader with a value-driven mindset and a trajectory toward project leadership.
