Championing Change: Creating Better Workplaces for Women in Utilities – Wales.
4th June 2025
3:30-5pm.
TICKETING NOW CLOSED FOR THIS EVENT
Location
Wales and West Utilities
Wales and West House
Spooner Close Celtic Springs
Coedkernew
Newport NP10 8FZ
Information
WUN Wales Launch Event
We’re proud to bring WUN to Wales for the first time, and what better way to launch than with a powerful panel event featuring local executive leaders who are championing change in the utilities sector.
Hosted by WUN partner, Wales & West Utilities, this event will spotlight the real-world actions that can help create more inclusive, supportive and progressive workplaces for women across the industry.
What to expect:
- An engaging expert panel sharing insights, experiences and practical actions
- Lively discussion around the challenges and opportunities for women in utilities
- Informal networking to connect, learn and build relationships
Whether you’re based in Wales or further afield, we’d love you to join us and be part of the conversation.- limited tickets available.
Panelists:
Sarah Hopkins WUN Director & Director , Pathways People Solutions.(Panel chair)
Graham Edwards, Chief Executive Officer at Wales & West Utilities
Jo Robinson, Director of Client Services at Equity Energies
Katie Spackman, Deputy Director of CBI Wales.
Stephane Puddy, Talent Partner& Inclusivity Lead, Welsh Water.
Digwyddiad Lansio WUN Cymru
Rydym yn falch o ddod â WUN i Gymru am y tro cyntaf, a pha ffordd well o lansio na gyda digwyddiad panel pwerus yn cynnwys arweinwyr gweithredol lleol sy’n hyrwyddo newid yn y sector cyfleustodau.
Wedi’i gynnal gan bartner WUN, Wales & West Utilities, bydd y digwyddiad hwn yn tynnu sylw at y camau gweithredu yn y byd go iawn a all helpu i greu gweithleoedd mwy cynhwysol, cefnogol a blaengar i fenywod ar draws y diwydiant.
Beth i’w ddisgwyl:
- Panel arbenigwyr deniadol yn rhannu mewnwelediadau, profiadau a chamau ymarferol
- Trafodaeth fywiog ynghylch yr heriau a’r cyfleoedd i fenywod mewn cyfleustodau
- Rhwydweithio anffurfiol i gysylltu, dysgu ac adeiladu perthnasoedd
Os ydych chi’n byw yng Nghymru neu ymhellach i ffwrdd, byddem wrth ein bodd yn eich gweld chi’n ymuno â ni a bod yn rhan o’r sgwrs.
Rhagor o fanylion ynghylch y panelwyr i ddilyn – nifer gyfyngedig o docynnau ar gael.
Bios:
Sarah Hopkins, WUN Director, Pathways People Solutions.
Sarah is an experienced senior HR professional with 25 years’ experience, operating at Executive level at Wales & West Utilities for 13 years. She has subsequently set up her own consulting company, Pathways People Solutions, supporting clients to evolve their people and culture strategy, create leadership and management programmes, and deliver senior level coaching.
Sarah has a passion for culture transformation and has launched The Culture Kit to help organisations to create and nurture workplace cultures by blending proven expertise in Human Resources, colleague engagement and brand development.
She has been on the board of WUN since 2023 and has helped to create the bespoke WUN Drive and Thrive development programmes for female line manages and senior leaders.
Sarah has a degree in Business Management, a Masters in HRM and is a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development. She is a qualified coach and is a Trustee Director of National Energy Action and Cardiff Rugby Community Foundation.
Jo Robinson – Director of Client Services, Equity Energies
Jo excels at empowering high-performing teams to deliver business impact for clients and has extensive experience in client services and energy accounting, with more than sixteen years in the energy industry.
Jo is passionate about client relationships, service delivery and the combination of her finance background, client-centric experience and industry knowledge ensures customers can capitalise on the environmental, commercial, and operational advantages of advancing Net Zero progress. Jo is not only committed to client excellence and optimizing client relationships, but also to fostering a workplace where women in utilities are empowered to thrive. Jo actively drives initiatives that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, ensuring that the energy sector evolves to embrace diverse leadership and perspectives. Jo is currently a Co-Chair of EmpowHER, a women’s colleague resource group across the Flogas and DCC Group of companies.
Prior to joining Equity Energies, Jo held several positions within industry leading organisations including Inspired PLC, Energy and Carbon Management Limited, Inprova Energy, Wales & West Utilities and Tesco PLC.
Katie Spackman, Deputy Director of CBI Wales
As Deputy Director at CBI Wales, Katie drives member engagement and plays a key role in the team’s vital work with the Welsh and UK governments. She spearheads the CBI Networks in Wales, including the Women’s Leadership, Net Zero, People & Skills, and AI & Innovation groups.
With a Postgraduate Certificate in Strategy, Change & Leadership from the University of Bristol, Katie brings extensive experience from membership organizations, the private sector, and her own business. A dedicated Diversity Ambassador at CBI and a trustee for three decades, she is a passionate advocate for equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Graham Edwards, OBE, Chief Executive Officer at Wales & West Utilities
Graham has been Chief Executive since start-up in 2005, following the acquisition of the Wales & southwest of England gas networks from National Grid. Graham has also run electricity and water businesses in the utility sector prior to setting up WWU in 2005. Before moving into utilities he worked in the manufacturing sector with a number of international companies – most notably in automotive and consumer goods. During his varied career he has held senior posts in a variety of disciplines – including Engineering, Production and Human Resources – prior to his roles as a business leader.
Graham has held a number of non-executive positions, notably with Welsh Water, University of South Wales and Royal College of Music & Drama. He is also a previous Chair of the CBI in Wales.
He has an MBA from Cardiff University, and in 2022 was awarded an OBE for services to business and the community in Wales.
Stephne Puddy, Talent Partner & Inclusivity Lead, Welsh Water.
Stephne Puddy is Chartered MCIPD and a dynamic force at Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water, where she has been making waves for 14 years. With over 4,000 employees, she takes on the exciting challenge of leading the leadership programme, driving the equality, diversity, and inclusivity strategy, and overseeing, early careers, career development and onboarding for new colleagues.
Stephne is not just a HR professional; she’s a HR Ninja, passionate about helping others succeed in their careers. Her dedication and enthusiasm make her an invaluable asset to Welsh Water with a passion and commitment to fostering a positive and inclusive workplace.