Utility Week Podcast

In our latest episode we are focussing on the Utility Week Awards, as the deadline for entries (3 September) fast approaches. In the first half of the podcast, Utility Week’s editor-in-chief, James Wallin, shares his top tips as chair of the judges for the awards. He also gives the inside track on the new categories for 2026 and how we have evolved the criteria. Then in the second half we hear from the reigning Utility of the Year – UK Power Networks. The team discuss the importance of building a narrative in your entry and how to highlight the wider impacts of your achievements. If this podcast has whetted your appetite for submitting an entry, you can do so by visiting the Utility Week Awards website. https://www.utilityweekawards.co.uk/ You can also revisit previous masterclass webinars, in which seasoned Utility Week Awards judges share their advice. Check out the recordings below: 2023 - https://utilityweek.co.uk/uw-awards-explainer/ 2024 - https://utilityweek.co.uk/utility-week-awards-judges-masterclass/ 2025 - https://utilityweek.co.uk/utility-week-awards-2025-judges-masterclass/

In our latest podcast, Utility Week editor-in-chief James Wallin talks to James Earl, the chief executive of Future Energy Networks. They discuss the urgent need for government to give clarity on the future of the gas network, including the use of biomethane and hydrogen. They also delve into the National Energy System Operator’s first Gas Market Roadmap and what it says about potential decommissioning of parts of the gas grid, as well as the current approach to individual gas disconnections.

Energy UK chief executive Dhara Vyas joins Rob Horgan and James Wallin on the latest episode of the Utility Week Podcast. The episode focusses on the energy retail market, with Vyas giving her take on the biggest topics which have dominated the sector. The trio discuss what the recent government review of Ofgem means for retail; what approaches are needed to tackle mounting household debt; and what Eon’s acquisition of Ovo says about competition in the market.

The latest episode of the Utility Week Podcast is out now. The podcast features a panel of heavyweights from across the energy sector to dissect some of the biggest talking points in the sector. They include: Clean Power 2030 commissioner Juliet Davenport; Tony Ballance, chief strategy and regulation officer at Cadent; Sonia Brown, National Grid group head of strategy; and Anthony Ainsworth, COO at Eon. The panel joined Utility Week editor-in-chief on stage at Utility Week Live, discussing a wide range of topics including the recent review of Ofgem’s strategic priorities, the Strategic Spatial Energy Plan, and the challenge on the demand side for reaching Clean Power 2030.

On our latest podcast, we round up some of the biggest talking points from Utility Week Live. Utility Week editor-in-chief James Wallin chats to Anglian Water chief executive Mark Thurston about navigating unprecedented change in the sector and what he is hoping for in the upcoming transition plan. Wallin is then joined by the current crop of regulators, including Ofwat CEO Chris Walters, Environment Agency director of water Helen Wakeham, and WICS CEO David Satti. The panel of regulators reflect on the recommendations made by the Cunliffe Review and explore how they fit into a new regulatory landscape for water.

On our latest podcast, we are joined by the team at SP Electricity North West. Utility Week editor-in-chief James Wallin chats to key figures at the electricity network about the evolution of its distribution system operator (DSO) and in particular the concept of a “social DSO”. To find out more about this concept and how it works in practice tune into this conversation with Paul Auckland, head of DSO & regulation; Katherine Horne, social DSO manager and Samantha Loukes, head of customer inclusion.

Renewable UK CEO Tara Singh joins Rob Horgan and James Wallin on The Utility Week Podcast to unpick the fallout from the local election results. Having previously served as an adviser to David Cameron during his term in No. 10, Singh provides insight on the inner workings of government. She also discusses the different parties’ energy policies and the challenges that the sector faces in engaging with politicians on the different sides of the political landscape, both at a local and national level.

Energy Systems Catapult chief executive Guy Newey joins the Utility Week podcast to reflect on a bumper week of energy announcements. Alongside Utility Week’s Rob Horgan and James Wallin, Newey gives his take on Ed Miliband’s plan to break the link between electricity and gas prices; delves into the Reformed National Pricing delivery plan; and discusses the fallout from the government’s long-awaited review of Ofgem. During the second half of the episode, Newey also reveals what is keeping the Catapult busy, outlining work it is doing in flexibility space and its role as part of the Energy Networks Innovation Taskforce.

The latest episode of the Utility Week Podcast examines the biggest stories from the past two weeks. During the first half of the episode, Utility Week editor-in-chief James Wallin speaks with former Clean Power 2030 advisor Simon Harrison and Andreas Schroeder, head of energy analytics at ICIS about the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and what it means for the energy sector. Wallin and Utility Week deputy editor Rob Horgan then pore over the recent CMA announcements, after the country’s four gas distribution networks appealed Ofgem’s final determinations of their business plans; and the CMA revealed its final rulings on the five appellant water companies’ plans.

The latest episode of the Utility Week Podcast examines the biggest stories from the past fortnight. Utility Week deputy editor Rob Horgan is joined by James Wallin, editor-in-chief, to pore over the sector’s biggest talking points. The duo discuss Engie’s acquisition of UKPN and reflect on the Channel 4 docudrama Dirty Business.