Energy Networks Association (ENA) have strengthened its executive team with the addition of Alexandra Howe as Director of Policy and External Affairs.
Howe aims to accelerate ENA’s programme of engagement with the energy sector, government “and beyond”, the ENA said.
The core priorities for the new director will be enabling networks to go further and faster on the clean energy transition by “unblocking policy barriers whilst effectively articulating their work to the wider world”, it said.
Howe arrives at ENA following time as a civil servant working on various energy programmes and projects at the Department for Business and Industrial Strategy, the Department for Energy and Net Zero annd, most recently, at the Ministry of Defence.
ENA said she had a “detailed understanding of UK’s energy policy”, as well as track record of engaging with key decision makers and work advising major public sector organisations on strategic energy transitions. As a result, the experience made her “ideally suited to explaining network operators’ priorities and advocating for the sector”.
Howe joins ENA as it is delivering a major strategic communications work programme, including coordinating the ongoing national Moving the Grid Forward campaign, which aims to explain the need for additional transmission infrastructure to UK audiences.
Lawrence Slade FEI, CEO, ENA, said:
“There’s never been more focus on the UK’s clean power transition and it is vital that energy networks can effectively communicate their contribution to this process.
“We needed another trusted and experienced policy expert who can build and maintain relationships with Whitehall, Westminster, Holyrood, Senedd Cymru, Stormont and with Fleet Street, based on clearly expressed insights and trusted analysis. I am delighted to welcome Alex and look forward to working with her closely to make sure the voice of the networks is heard in the national debate.”
Alexandra Howe, Director of Policy and External Affairs, ENA, said:
“This is the moment when the future framework of the UK’s energy system, and the pathway to decarbonisation, is being shaped, so it is essential network operators can effectively articulate what they require to deliver vital network infrastructure and influence future decisions – from common sense reforms of planning process to the regulatory certainty needed to unlock investment.
“I’m excited to take part in one of the most important conversations happening in the UK’s political and economic landscape.”
Image of Howe courtesy of ENA
