Rising Star of the Year Award
Celebrating the achievements of emerging talent within the utilities sector over the past year. Open to employees of utilities who have been active in the sector for seven years or less.
Rising Star of the Year Award
Celebrating the achievements of emerging talent within the utilities sector over the past year. Open to employees of utilities who have been active in the sector for seven years or less.
ElectraLink - Atzin Madrid
Atzin Madrid is ElectraLink’s resident energy market flexibility expert and one of the most promising future leaders in the UK’s energy transition. A Chevening scholar well-known in the sector already, Atzin is advising on and supporting the Net Zero transition through renewable and digitalised technologies driven by multiple data streams.
From providing input to Ofgem and Energy Networks Association (ENA) consultations to leading software production projects, Atzin is enabling change that puts end users at the heart of industry programmes. Atzin also upskills her own colleagues to help ElectraLink be even better facilitators in the energy market.
ElectraLink - Lindsay Surridge
In the past year as Head of Marketing and Engagement, Lindsay Surridge has led ElectraLink through both a strategic rebrand and a cultural shift in employee engagement. Her leadership has delivered three new product launches in the past year, a redevelopment of the company website, and a new standard for reporting across the business.
She has also supported on key employee wellbeing initiatives through ElectraLink’s Employee Forum. Lindsay is active in the wider energy industry, leading the communications team for Tacking Inclusion and Diversity in Energy (TIDE), a volunteer initiative aiming to share EDI best practice across the sector.
Galliford Try - Kim Downes
Square pegs in round holes is how Galliford Try have found some standout employees. Kim Downes is one such find. Kim’s background is in ballet, having been part of the Royal Ballet School, danced with the Russian Ballet company and choregraphed pieces for the Scottish Ballet company.
She joined us in 2017 and is a Rising Star in Quantity Surveying. Through determination and hard work she scored top results in her BSc (Hons), while also being a first class Mum to her son who is on the autistic spectrum. Kim lives in Glasgow, spending two days a week in London.
National Gas Services - Sophie Ferguson
Sophie Ferguson has swiftly risen through the ranks at National Gas Services (NGS) since starting an engineering training apprenticeship back in 2019, earning her role as the first female Customer Operations Manager in 2023 at our flagship depot, National Gas Services in Ambergate.
With a foundation in professional engineering, Sophie has overseen key projects showcasing innovative project management and commercial success. Her commitment to continuous learning, exemplified by her recent BEng degree, combined with her leadership in diverse and challenging projects, marks Sophie as a true rising star in a very male dominated industry.
So Energy - Cosmin Gradinescu
Cosmin Gradinescu joined So Energy as a Customer Care Agent in 2021 and, despite having no data background, aspired to join the Tech Team. He taught himself SQL and exhibited remarkable initiative and problem-solving skills to tackle one of the company’s biggest operational issues—back billing–resolving a 10,000-ticket backlog by creating a semi-automated solution.
In 2024, Cosmin's dedication earned him a role as a Junior Business Intelligence Analyst, where his proactivity, problem-solving skills, and business insights continue to drive improvements in company performance, industry practice, and customer satisfaction.
SSEN Transmission - Lewis Bates
Lewis, an assistant engineer has significantly exceeded expectations by leading on the introduction of a new bird flight diverter at SSEN Transmission (SSENT). His work has led to Technical Authority approval and has also explored innovative drone installation methods. This initiative led to a successful demonstration with international stakeholders including multiple Transmission Operators and Principal Contractors, paving the way for future drone applications across other products.
The drone installation method promises enhanced safety by reducing the need for linesmen to work at heights on OHL Transmission towers and accelerates project timelines; benefits that the industry is eager to capitalise on.
