The upcoming Transport + Energy Forum is set to look at building the infrastructure and workforce of tomorrow during a wide suite of sessions providing critical insight to the industry.
Taking place on 12 November at Warwick Conferences, the event is built around three core pillars – Accelerating electrification. EV growth. Energy security. – the programme will explore how scaling electrification across transport and energy systems can unlock EV growth, drive economic performance, and reduce reliance on volatile global energy markets.
After an opening address from Greg Clark, Former Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Shane Brennan, CEO of ChargeUK will lead a session on whether transport and energy systems can evolve fast enough to meet demand over the next decade.
This high-level discussion will include Vicky Edmonds, CEO, EVA England; Lowri Williams, Transport Practice Manager, Energy Systems Catapult; Chris Casey, UK Program Manager, Fastned; Anthony Simpson, EV & Storage Manager, National Energy System Operator (NESO).
This panel is followed by a fireside chat on the issue of mobility as a vehicle for local economic growth, involving Localis Chief Executive Jon Werran and Jason Smith from Kirklees Council, representing ADEPT in a transport capacity.
Workforce and knowledge exchange
A workforce of the future session will be chaired by Dr. Ben Silverstone, who is the Associate Professor, Head of Skills Policy and Strategy, at WMG, based at the University of Warwick, where the Forum takes place.
It will feature a number of other high-profile experts, including Hayley Pells, who is the Government Affairs Lead at The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI), and Darren Shaw, the Head of Construction, Built Environment and Transport, Skills England.
Before lunch, a knowledge exchange with Cenex, aims to address four real-world challenges across four practical case studies from local authorities. Delegates will interact around the conference space, with around 5 minutes to share each experience, followed by questions and interactive discussion, concluding with a group Q&A.
Afternoon
The afternoon session will address the core issue of moving beyond the ZEV Mandate, in a discussion chaired by Chris Pritchett, Co-Head, Energy & Infrastructure, Shoosmiths. This panel will feature Alison Nuttall, Head of Energy Transition & Net Zero, JLR; Edmund King OBE, President, The AA; Adam Wood, Managing Director, Renault UK; Tanya Sinclair, CEO, Electric Vehicles UK.
This is followed by a keynote speech from Chris Mason, the CEO of FISITA, on what the world is showing us about mobility transformation.
Also featured is a discussion on whether the UK can build the infrastructure needed to accelerate electrification, which will be chaired by Dan Clarke, Head of Innovation at Energy Networks Association (ENA).
The panel includes Charlie Gilbert, Partner, Field Dynamics; Pete Cox, Head of Sales, Sevadis; Sarah Kelara, Head of Demand Reform, National Grid Electricity Distribution; Mark Goudie; Head of DSO Strategic Projects & Optimisation, SP Energy Networks.
Closing the day, in what promises to be a powerful and emotional return, Ben Kilbey, Founder, Bold Voodoo, will speak with Dr Rosamund Adoo-Kissi-Debrah CBE, World Health Organisation BreatheLife Ambassador, and Founder of the Ella Roberta Foundation.
After the Forum concludes, the evening will see the Transport + Energy Awards take place in the same location, as finalists battle it out across a record number of entries over 15 categories to be proclaimed the best in the industry.
