About us
Our teams
Executive Committee
Emma Pinchbeck,
Chief Executive OfficerEmma Pinchbeck is the Chief Executive of Energy UK, a position that she has held since July 2020. She is an expert in whole-economy decarbonisation and the energy transition. She also holds several board advisory positions. Emma has two children and shares childcare with her husband. She is passionate about efforts to improve diversity in the energy industry.
From 2016-2020, she served as Deputy CEO of the trade body Renewable UK, in which role she also sat on the Board of Scottish Renewables. Prior to this, Emma was Head of Climate Change at WWFU-K. She has an MA from the University of Oxford.
Dhara Vyas,
Deputy Chief Executive OfficerDhara joined Energy UK in November 2022. She is an expert in energy consumer issues and the energy transition, and was named ‘Executive of the year’ at the 2023 Trade Association Forum Awards. Prior to joining Energy UK Dhara led work on net zero, the future energy system and decarbonisation at Citizens Advice.
Dhara began her career in local government and has worked across a broad range of policy areas from civil society to community building and deliberative democracy. She has been an active member of several Government and academic advisory boards, is on the Board of Green Alliance and is a primary school governor.
Juliette Sanders,
Chief Communications OfficerJuliette joined Energy UK in January 2022. She holds a Masters in Engineering from Cambridge University, and has held a variety analytical and communications roles across low carbon generation at Equinor, Orsted and EDF Energy, winning awards for her work.
Juliette is passionate about inspiring and developing others in the energy sector; she was part of the initial team that set up Women in Nuclear, and is a founding member of the TIDE initiative – set up to improve Equity, Diversity and Inclusion across the energy industry. She is also an honorary lecturer at the University of East Anglia.
Rich Smith,
Chief Operating OfficerRich joined Energy UK in November 2023. He has been in the energy sector since the turn of the millennium, and in his early career undertook a variety of engineering, analytical and commercial roles. He has worked in the Executive teams at Ofgem and National Grid ESO, where he led a range of operational functions, with responsibilities spanning decarbonisation, network development, and security of supply.
Rich has been a member of several academic and research institute advisory boards; has served as a Trustee Board member of a pension scheme; a primary school governor; a Parish Councillor; and is currently serving as a Trustee Board in the education sector.
Management team
Adam Berman,
Deputy Director, Advocacy
Alexander Gray,
Deputy Director for External Affairs
Cathy Visser,
Head of Finance
Charles Wood,
Deputy Director, Policy (Systems)
Charlotte Pollard,
Head of Events and Training
Colin Brooks,
Deputy Director, Membership ServicesNatasha Hobday,
Interim Deputy DirectorKisha Couchman,
Deputy Director, Policy (Investments)
Nicola Rowland, Executive Assistant to the CEO and HR Manager
Rory Taylor,
Chief Press Officer
Membership
Our membership team is responsible for building a broad and engaged membership base that enhances our credibility. They engage with our current members to ensure they are accessing the services they need and ensure that new members reflect the organisation’s strategic direction. We offer different membership options, and a wide range of benefits to our members.
Policy teams
Our policy teams work with members to promote best practice and understand the challenges they face to shape energy policy. We provide a forum for members to discuss key issues with each other and stakeholders to solve challenges and strengthen industry’s voice. We sit on numerous groups and task forces on behalf of our members to provide an industry-wide view, and demonstrate leadership through reports and events, helping members stay abreast of new developments in the industry.
The structure of our Policy teams mirrors our committees covering:
- Customers
- Investments
- Energy Systems
Communications team
Our communications team advocates publicly on behalf of industry, and includes specialists in public affairs, media and digital communications and events. We use a range of channels to share accurate and timely information to parliamentarians, stakeholders and members, including issue-specific briefings, newsletters and activity updates.
Media Relations
Energy is rarely out of the news and as the industry’s leading trade association we look to provide a knowledgeable and trusted voice, and expert comment on behalf of our members and the wider sector. We respond to a large number of media enquiries, covering issues right across the sector, as well as publicise the work of Energy UK and our members. We regularly appear on broadcast TV and radio, as well as featuring in national newspapers and other outlets – both in print and online – in addition to the regional, trade and international press.
Public Affairs
We represent the energy sector to government and political stakeholders. Energy UK is unique in that it has members which are involved across the entire energy sector, from developers, to networks, to energy retailers.
We regularly share the industry’s view with parliamentarians across the United Kingdom.
Our Public Affairs subcommittee brings together professionals across industry to update and discuss energy politics.
Training and events
We offer a regular cycle of training courses for people joining the energy industry or looking to understand more about the sector, including bespoke sessions for organisations onboarding new starters.
Our events are well attended by senior professionals and decision makers across industry and include conferences, breakfast briefings, awards ceremonies and more – with sponsorship opportunities available.