Ensuring independence
ISG members are appointed for their expertise and judgement. They don’t represent their organisations, and they work independently of SP Energy Networks and Ofgem.
While the group provides critical challenge, it doesn’t make decisions on our behalf or share ownership of our business plan — accountability for the plan and its delivery remains with us.
Any conflicts of interest are formally recorded and managed through the group’s governance arrangements.
How the ISG works
The ISG meets as a collective to review evidence and challenge our proposals. The Co-Chairs sets the work programme and agenda, ensures discussions remain balanced and constructive, and commissions deep dives into specific issues.
Meeting frequency
The ISG typically meets monthly, supported by additional working sessions as needed. Meetings are held through a mix of in-person, online and hybrid formats.
Biographies
Angela Love - ISG Co-Chair
Angela is an energy sector specialist with more than 30 years of experience. Having worked closely with energy companies and regulators across the gas and electricity sectors, she brings deep expertise in energy markets and a strong commitment to customer-centric decision‑making.
Angela has led several major consumer-focused initiatives, including establishing the Energy Retail Association’s Home Heat Helpline and the ScottishPower Energy People Trust — the first fuel poverty trust founded by an energy supplier. Her past governance experience includes nine years as a trustee of the Gas Safe Charity and six years on Ofgem’s Stakeholder Engagement and Vulnerable Customer Incentive Panel.
Currently, Angela chairs the Smart Energy Code Panel and Board and is a Non‑Executive Director of the System Operator for Northern Ireland (SONI) and the Cadent Gas Customer Challenge Group. She previously chaired the SP Energy Networks Transmission User Group and its successor, the Independent Net Zero Advisory Council (INZAC).
Jayesh Parmar - ISG Co-Chair
Jayesh is a Chartered Engineer and energy and policy expert with over 25 years of experience in the UK and international energy sectors. As a Partner in consultancies including EY and Baringa, he brings extensive experience in driving energy transition and regulatory reform through his work with governments, regulators, and energy companies.
Jayesh has been involved in high-profile projects, including the design and implementation of the New Electricity Trading Arrangements (NETA) and the creation of Elexon in the UK. His international work spans advising on energy market integration in Lithuania, Bulgaria, and the Baltic States, as well as contributing to hydrogen economy roadmaps across Europe. Jayesh has also worked on energy network price controls, and his expertise extends to smart grid technologies and energy security.
Matthew Cole
Matt is the Founder and CEO of Fuel Bank and a recognised consumer champion. With extensive experience in the energy industry, he has dedicated his career to ensuring the energy system delivers for all.
Matt has led commercial, policy, and operational delivery functions across offshore gas storage, energy distribution, and supply. Throughout these roles, he has consistently advocated for change that removes detriment and improves outcomes, focusing on bridging the gap between energy policy and customers lived experiences.
Matt was a founding member of SP Energy Network’s Customer Engagement Group for the ED2 business plan and a key member of the INZAC. He remains focused on helping shape energy network plans that deliver for underserved communities and support a fair transition for all.
Emma Degg MBE
Emma is the Chief Executive and Company Secretary of the North West Business Leadership Team, where she leads regional initiatives to drive economic growth, sustainability, and innovation.
Emma has been instrumental in developing the net zero North West strategy to support decarbonisation, and the North West Made Smarter programme to drive digital transformation in the region’s manufacturing sector. She is a strong advocate for diversity and inclusion in business, with a particular focus on supporting underrepresented groups in leadership roles.
A trustee at Best for Britain and a Member of the House of Lords UK270 Commission, Emma was awarded an MBE in 2024 for her contributions to the North West business community.
Prof. David Flynn
David is an internationally recognised expert in cyber‑physical systems, with a career spanning academia, entrepreneurship, industrial innovation, and national and international policy advisory roles in engineering and technology. Across these diverse but interdependent fields, his work is driven by the motivation to deliver an inclusive, resilient, and prosperous energy transition in response to the climate crisis.
David has provided specialist expertise in data and digitalisation as a member of SP Energy Network’s Customer Engagement Group for the ED2 business plan. More recently, he served as Deputy Chair of the INZAC Technical Group. David is currently Chair of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) Scotland, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE), and Professor of Cyber Physical Systems at the University of Glasgow
Ashleye Gunn
David is an internationally recognised expert in cyber‑physical systems, with a career spanning academia, entrepreneurship, industrial innovation, and national and international policy advisory roles in engineering and technology. Across these diverse but interdependent fields, his work is driven by the motivation to deliver an inclusive, resilient, and prosperous energy transition in response to the climate crisis.
David has provided specialist expertise in data and digitalisation as a member of SP Energy Network’s Customer Engagement Group for the ED2 business plan. More recently, he served as Deputy Chair of the INZAC Technical Group. David is currently Chair of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) Scotland, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE), and Professor of Cyber Physical Systems at the University of Glasgow
Roger Hey
Roger Hey CEng is a Chartered Electrical Engineer with nearly 35 years of experience in the energy sector. Following his early career at East Midlands Electricity Board, he progressed through senior operational and leadership roles at E.ON, Western Power Distribution and National Grid. His career has spanned electricity networks, telecoms, IT, and renewables.
Roger contributed at a senior level to regulatory price control business plans and established early Distribution System Operator capability with demand side flexibility services. His experience also includes mergers, acquisitions, business integration and non-executive director positions in industry bodies. In 2024, he founded Smart GB Services, an independent engineering advisory practice working with clients ranging from early-stage technology companies to large multinationals across Europe.
Todd Holden
Todd is a sustainability expert with over 30 years of experience in energy policy and programme design. Most recently, as the Energy Policy Lead at Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), he led initiatives to address regional energy challenges and promote a low-carbon future. This followed his tenure as Director for Low Carbon at The Growth Company.
Todd has led several award-winning sustainability initiatives, including SME support services and housing retrofit projects in the North West. He also played a significant role in the development of policy support programmes for Local Enterprise Partnerships.
Todd has chaired Electricity North West’s (ENWL) Environment and Sustainability Panel for six years and served on their Customer Engagement Group and Independent Oversight Group. He is also currently a member of the Independent Challenge Group for Affinity Water.
Prof. Jovica Milanovic
Jovica is a renowned leader in electrical power engineering and a Chartered Engineer in the UK. He recently served as Head of the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at the University of Manchester, and currently holds international academic roles as Visiting Professor at the University of Novi Sad and the University of Belgrade in Serbia, and as Honorary Professor at the University of Queensland, Australia.
Jovica has led or contributed to research projects valued at over £86 million, published more than 660 research papers and delivered over 35 keynote speeches at international conferences. He has chaired 6 international conferences, served on the boards of more than 70 international journals and conferences, and assessed research projects for government research funding councils around the world.
A Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, the IEEE and the IET, Jovica is also a Foreign Member of the Serbian Academy of Engineering Sciencesand a Distinguished IEEE PES Lecturer. He currently serves on the IEEE PES Governing Board as VP Publications. His past governance experience includes memberships on the Rolls-Royce Plc. Executive Advisory Board (Research and Technology – Energy: Electrical, Control Systems & Electronics), the Electricity North West Customer Engagement Group,and the IEEE Fellows Committee, as well as serving as Editor-in-Chief of IEEE Transactions on Power Systems.
Jenny Willis
Jenny is a Cumbria-based expert in customer engagement, policy development, and social impact, with over 15 years of experience in the energy sector. She has worked extensively on projects aimed at ensuring vulnerable communities benefit from the energy transition, particularly through her role with Electricity North West’s (ENWL) Customer Engagement Group.
Her expertise includes leading large-scale stakeholder consultations, focusing on the accessibility and inclusivity of energy services, and contributing to national energy policies that address energy fairness and sustainability.
Jenny has chaired ENWL’s Customer and Vulnerability Panels for six years and provided independent challenge as a member of their Customer Engagement Group and Independent Oversight Group.
Damien Yeates
Damien is the Chief Executive of Skills Development Scotland. He has over 30 years of experience in labour market analysis, workforce planning, and skills development across national, regional, and sectoral contexts. He is passionate about collaborative skills development and ensuring that public, private, and academic investment is aligned and responsive to the evolving needs of industry.
His expertise includes research into how new technologies, such as generative AI and automation, are reshaping the workforce, particularly as skills become outdated more quickly. He previously served as a member of SP Energy Networks INZAC, contributing to the development of the T3 business plan and supporting work to address the significant challenges facing the energy sector, including the growing demand for workforce capacity and specialised skills
Dr Matthew Vickers
Matt is the CEO of Community Energy England. He brings experience across retail, consumer protection, diplomacy, and energy system reform, with a career shaped by a strong focus on fair outcomes for customers and communities.
Matt spent his early career in Scotland in retail and Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) with a strong emphasis on customer service and commercial leadership at Safeway and McCurrach. In 2009, he joined the Foreign and Commonwealth Office as British Consul in Madrid, leading diplomatic work on consular protection. He went on to lead the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission, building trust and confidence in legal services.
Matt later spent eight years at the Trust Alliance Group, latterly as Group CEO and Chief Ombudsman responsible for consumer protection in the energy and telecoms sectors. Most recently, he led grid connections reform at the National Energy Systems Operator. Originally from Merseyside, Matt has a doctorate in civic image and identity in Victorian and Edwardian Liverpool and he returned to the area with his family in 2015.