Come and join us for this exciting cross sector event based around a panel discussion, focused on how utilities can create inclusive decision making informed by customer and colleague engagement, and taking deliberate action to seek a wide range of voices and opinions.

Not only will we hear from a panel packed with experience and insight but we are keen to hear your thoughts too ! Our event will include debates about how levelling up needs to happen in workplaces to capitalise on the power of voice to make better decisions for customers and colleagues now and in the future.

Refreshments and light buffet will be provided, as well as the opportunity for great networking.

This is WUN’s first in-person network event in the North of England, kindly hosted by Northern Gas Networks.

Chaired by Sarah Hopkins , WUN Director & Pathways People Solutions Ltd..

Panel:

Eileen Brown, Customer Experience Director, Northern Gas.

Denise Massey, Managing Director, Energy Innovation Centre.

Louise Hunter MBE, Director of Corporate Affairs, Northumbrian Water Group

Mac Alonge , CEO The Equal Group.

For further details contact [email protected]

Speakers bio:

Eileen Brown, Customer Experience Director, Northern Gas.

I have over 20 years experience of working in the utilities sector, and have led the customer strategy team for Northern Gas Networks for the last 14 years.  During this time I have been involved in transforming the service delivery of our organisation by really striving to go above and beyond what our customers are expecting.

Over the last 10 years I have worked to develop a holistic and sustainable approach to supporting our customers in vulnerable situations.  This has involved engaging with key stakeholders to form strategic and delivery partnerships, as well as making sure that the needs of customers in vulnerable situations are considered during every action that NGN takes as a business.

In my spare time, I love climbing up mountains, especially for the views and a picnic, as well as volunteering regularly as editor of my local village newsletter.

Denise Massey, Managing Director, Energy Innovation Centre.

Denise Massey is committed to driving social progress, improving the quality of people’s lives and securing a safe, affordable and sustainable future for generations to come. Since its foundation in 2008 she has built the Energy Innovation Centre into a respected organisation that is now integral to  innovation in the energy sector.

Through her ability to foster collaboration and partnership, Denise works with innovators, energy companies, regulators and governments, both nationally and internationally, to help meet the social, political, environmental and economic energy challenges we face.

I am an experienced senior HR professional and qualified coach, and was the People & Engagement Director at Wales & West Utilities until 2022. Passionate about people development, organisational culture and colleague voice, I created my business – Pathways People Solutions, to support organisations to develop their people strategies and programmes.

Louise Hunter MBE, Director of Corporate Affairs, Northumbrian Water Group

Louise initially joined Northumbrian Water Group in 2006 to lead its sustainability strategy as Head of Corporate Responsibility, and was appointed to her current role of Director of Corporate Affairs in July 2012.

Louise has responsibility for PR and Media, Marketing and Brand, Public Affairs, Internal Communications and Corporate Partnerships, including community and sustainability programmes.  During the last eighteen years, Louise has driven Northumbrian Water’s approach to sustainability, the success of which has been recognised by the achievement of the Queen’s Award for Sustainability in 2009 and in 2014; and being named as the only water utility on the Ethisphere Global list of most ethical companies for 11 of the last 12 years.  In 2013 Louise’s work in responsible business practice was recognised by HRH The Prince of Wales with a ‘Game Changer’ award and in 2017 received an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for services to Business and Corporate Responsibility.

Louise is an active member of the North East business community, with roles on the Board of the North East England Chamber of Commerce, CBI Council, a trustee of the Centre for Life and vice chair of Sunderland University Board of Governors.  In 2008 she led the development of the Northumbrian Water sponsored Sunderland academy school, Castle View Enterprise Academy, and since then has continued to work as a governor in the school and a director of the trust to support the school to transform from one of the worst schools in Sunderland to become one of the highest performing schools in the region.

Mac Alonge- CEO The Equal Group.

Mac Alonge is an impact focused leader with 15+ years’ experience advising some of the world’s leading organisations. As CEO of data driven equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) consultancy, The Equal Group, Mac leads a multidisciplinary team delivering EDI transformation projects with organisations across public, private and voluntary sectors.

Prior to founding award winning consultancy, The Equal Group, Mac spent 10 years as a regulatory consultant, focused on energy and utilities, working for organisations such as KPMG, National Grid and the UK government. Over the years Mac has built a track record of providing sound strategic advice and delivering high-quality outputs in politically, commercially and socially significant environments for organisations such as Macmillan Cancer Support, Wellcome Trust, National Trust, Greater London Authority, Thames Water and Ofgem.

Sarah Hopkins- Event Chair, WUN Director & Pathways People Solutions Ltd.

I am an experienced senior HR professional and qualified coach, and was the People & Engagement Director at Wales & West Utilities until 2022. Passionate about people development, organisational culture and colleague voice, I created my business – Pathways People Solutions, to support organisations to develop their people strategies and programmes.