In this episode of Wolfe Power Club, Alex Wolfe brings together representatives from Reform UK, the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats to explore how energy policy is shaping public voting decisions.

Recorded live from the Exhibition Centre in Liverpool, during the UKIFDA EXPO & Conference 2026, our fireside chats cut through the headlines to focus on what actually matters: rising energy costs, pressure on households and businesses and the trade-offs between affordability, security and long-term transition.

From fuel duty and heating oil to North Sea production, renewables and windfall taxes, each party sets out its approach and where it differs from the others, ultimately showing why it may play a defining role in the upcoming UK local elections.

Many thanks to our friends from UKIFDA for the opportunity to host us on the main stage and for a fantastic conference experience!

Speakers include:

Sir Jake Berry - Politician and Chief Operating Officer (Reform UK). Sir Jake Berry served as the MP for Rossendale and Darwen from 2010 to 2024. A former Conservative Party Chairman and Minister for the Northern Powerhouse, he was knighted in 2023 and switched to Reform UK in 2025. He is widely recognised as a leading voice on regional investment and "common-sense" politics.

Harriet Cross - Member of Parliament for Gordon and Buchan (Conservatives). Harriet Cross was elected to the UK Parliament in July 2024 and has continued to represent Gordon and Buchan in Westminster. In November 2024, Harriet was appointed an opposition assistant whip by the Rt Hon Kemi Badenoch MP and has since joined several All-Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs).

Carl Cashman - Prescot Town Councillor (Liberal Democrats). Carl Cashman is the leader of the Liverpool Liberal Democrats, representing the Church ward since 2023. Raised on a council estate, he advocates for social mobility and government devolution. His career began with Knowsley Council in 2016, before moving to Liverpool City Council. He famously ran for Mayor of the Liverpool City Region in 2017 against Steve Rotheram.

Season Two is in Partnership with The Spectator

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Recorded at Studio 55 - that has produced Breaking the Taboo and The ABTO Podcast

In this episode of Wolfe Power Club, host Alex Wolfe explores the growing impact of the Iran crisis on the UK logistics sector, with HGV operators facing rising diesel costs and mounting pressure on already tight margins.

Recorded before this week's Commercial Vehicle Show at the NEC, Alex is joined by Richard Smith, Managing Director of the Road Haulage Association (RHA), the leading voice representing HGV, coach and van operators across the UK.

Together, they discuss the recent surge in fuel costs, how the UK response compares internationally and what support the sector needs to remain competitive. We also examine longer-term solutions to future energy shocks, the transition to electric HGVs and the challenges around infrastructure, electricity pricing, and investment.

The conversation also covers the UK Government’s £1bn Zero Emission Truck, Van & Depot Charging Scheme, the ongoing shortage of secure HGV parking and what success looks like for the logistics sector over the next 12 months.

Richard Smith is Managing Director of the Road Haulage Association (RHA) and is a member and the chair of the Senior Leadership Team. With over 30 years’ experience in logistics and supply chain leadership, Richard brings deep industry insight and a strong track record of delivering operational excellence and strategic growth. He is passionate about innovation, closing the sector’s skills gap, and strengthening the resilience and reputation of the UK’s road freight sector. Richard is the chair of the Trade Association Forum, a community of more than 180 trade associations.

Season Two is in Partnership with The Spectator

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Wolfe Power Club Production Team

Account Manager: Emilia Donovan

Director of Government Relations: Max Austin

Sales & Development Executive: Jacob Ryder

Designer: Nick Pelekanos

Editor: Adam Woodward

Social Media Manager: Bella Carter

Recorded at Studio 55 - that has produced Breaking the Taboo and The ABTO Podcast

Four years ago, after the energy crisis in Ukraine, utility companies entered administration as a result of a margin shock. Wolfe Power Club, this week, sits down with Utilita CEO and Founder, Bill Bullen, and chairman, Derek Lickorish MBE, to see what lessons we learnt now we're in the middle of the Iran crisis.

Bill Bullen is the founder and CEO of Utilita, the pioneering UK energy supplier launched in 2003. An engineering graduate from the University of Bath with an MSc from Cranfield, he has spent nearly four decades in the energy sector. Bullen previously held senior roles at SWEB, Electricity Direct and Centrica before creating Utilita to offer fairer, smarter prepayment energy. Under his leadership, Utilita became the first UK supplier to install smart meters in homes and has grown into a major Pay As You Go provider. His focus on sustainability and innovation continues to shape Utilita’s mission. 

Derek Lickorish MBE is a veteran of the UK energy sector with nearly five decades of experience. He has served as Non‑Executive Chairman of Utilita Energy since 2018, helping guide a leading smart Pay As You Go supplier with a strong focus on sustainability. His career includes senior roles at EDF Energy and influential advisory positions at Ofgem, Secure Meters and Sustainability First. Lickorish previously chaired the UK Government’s Fuel Poverty Advisory Group and now chairs National Energy Action, reflecting his long‑standing commitment to tackling fuel poverty. He was awarded an MBE in 2012 for services to the fuel poor.

Season Two is in Partnership with The Spectator

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Wolfe Power Club Production Team

Account Manager: Emilia Donovan

Director of Government Relations: Max Austin

Sales & Development Executive: Jacob Ryder

Designer: Nick Pelekanos

Editor: Adam Woodward

Social Media Manager: Bella Carter

Recorded at Studio 55 - that has produced Breaking the Taboo and The ABTO Podcast

In this episode of Wolfe Power Club, Alex Wolfe is joined by Managing Director, Tom Highland (Highland Group), and Commercial Director, Sarah Kind (Edge Petrol), to uncover the truth behind fuel prices as the UK enters week six of disruption following the Iran conflict.

With diesel prices up by as much as 40-50p per litre in just weeks, politicians have accused retailers of profiteering, but this episode challenges that narrative using real data from over 1,000 UK forecourts.

We break down what’s really happening at the pump: shrinking retailer margins, rising wholesale costs and the reality that most of the price you pay is driven by tax and global markets, not forecourt profits.

The episode also busts the biggest myths, including the idea that petrol stations are sitting on weeks of cheap fuel, and explains why independents often look more expensive than supermarkets during volatile periods.

From panic buying and supply concerns to the growing gap between petrol and diesel, this is a clear, no-nonsense look at one of the biggest cost-of-living issues in the UK today.

Tom Highland is the Managing Director of Highland Group. A family-run fuel retail business for over 45 years with 6 sites across Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Suffolk. He has taken a leadership role in running the sites for 10 years. Winner of several Forecourt Trader awards, including the Special Recognition award in 2024. First to trial Co-op's new & Co-op fascia offer. The business currently has 5 sites with BP and 1 with Esso, and previously with Shell. Tom runs a TikTok account to show what it's like to run a petrol station from under the @thepetrolretailer channel.

Sarah Kind is Commercial Director at EdgePetrol, a fuel pricing and analytics platform supporting around 1,000 independent forecourts. She joined in 2018 to build the Customer Success function when the business was in its early stages, and has since moved into a commercial leadership role. Sarah works closely with retailers to help them navigate fuel pricing, improve performance, and stay competitive in a fast-changing market. She is passionate about building customer relationships and bringing practical insight to the complexities of fuel pricing.

Season Two is in Partnership with The Spectator

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Wolfe Power Club Production Team

Account Manager: Emilia Donovan

Director of Government Relations: Max Austin

Sales & Development Executive: Jacob Ryder

Designer: Nick Pelekanos

Editor: Adam Woodward

Social Media Manager: Bella Carter

Recorded at Studio 55 - that has produced Breaking the Taboo and The ABTO Podcast

In this episode of Wolfe Power Club, host Alex Wolfe speaks to Kemi Badenoch, Leader of the Conservative Party and His Majesty's Official Opposition, as we enter week 5 of the energy crisis resulting from the Iran War.

The current government has not followed other European powers in either supporting their energy industry or reducing pump prices. We hear from Kemi what she would do, if she were Prime Minister, for the North Sea oil industry and the general public.

As we go to press, diesel prices in Britain have gone from £1.40 per litre to £1.80 in the space of 5 weeks, meaning for the average truck driver that is £75 more per fuelling. The second part that Ed Miliband, Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves are not addressing is that, as the government, they are receiving 8 pence per litre more in VAT but are not changing fiscal policy. Alex discusses with Kemi how to stop taxes on the working.

From North Sea oil and gas to rising fuel prices, she argues the UK should prioritise domestic energy production over imports, warning that current policies risk jobs, investment and long-term energy security. She also challenges the environmental case for importing fuel and calls for changes to fuel duty and energy taxation.

With energy bills, inflation and economic growth at stake, this is a direct look at one of the biggest political debates in the UK today versus our European neighbours.

_____________________________________________________________

Music from #Uppbeat
https://uppbeat.io/t/tatami/residence
License code: JI1XYNLQRBRLWN12

Kemi Badenoch has been the Member of Parliament for North West Essex since 2017 and was re-elected in July 2024. She currently serves as Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the Conservative Party.

Before taking on her current role, Kemi served as Secretary of State for Business and Trade, President of the Board of Trade, and Minister for Women and Equalities. Her previous ministerial roles include positions at the Treasury, the Department for Education, and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

Season Two is in Partnership with The Spectator

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Wolfe Power Club Production Team

Account Manager: Emilia Donovan

Director of Government Relations: Max Austin

Sales & Development Executive: Jacob Ryder

Designer: Nick Pelekanos

Editor: Adam Woodward

Social Media Manager: Bella Carter

Recorded at Studio 55 - that has produced Breaking the Taboo and The ABTO Podcast

🎉 Upcoming Fundraiser – Support SSAFA, the Armed Forces Charity. Be sure to join us for our SSAFA fundraiser event on Thursday 26th March 2026. 

🎟 Tickets & Dinner: Eventbrite – Greatest Car Company Debate
(Use code ForcesSupporter15 for 15% off) 

🚗 Charity Auction: Bid online now – closes on the night

🙏 Can’t attend? Donate online: Support SSAFA here

Thanks so much for supporting a fantastic cause.

This week on Wolfe Power Club, we dive into the extraordinary impact of the Iran conflict on energy markets and the companies we invested in at the start of 2026.

Since our January 5th purchases, major energy companies like ExxonMobil, Shell and BP have seen share price increases of nearly 30%, with total market cap gains across our ten tracked companies reaching $249 billion. We break down what drove these gains, which sectors benefited most and how this volatility is reshaping global energy markets.

We also highlight key UK winners, including Harbour Energy and Sirocco Energy, whose valuations soared more than 50% in just 12 weeks. Renewable-adjacent companies like Albemarle Corp also showed growth, reflecting ongoing demand for battery materials in the EV sector.

Finally, we examine broader economic impacts, including pressures on US markets and rising costs for UK businesses, providing insight into how energy volatility affects companies and consumers alike.

DISCLAIMER: We are not financial advisors. This podcast has no influence or responsibility if your shares will make or lose money in the next year. We are only covering what Alex is spending.

Season Two is in Partnership with The Spectator

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Wolfe Power Club Production Team

Account Manager: Emilia Donovan

Director of Government Relations: Max Austin

Sales & Development Executive: Jacob Ryder

Designer: Nick Pelekanos

Editor: Adam Woodward

Social Media Manager: Bella Carter

Recorded at Studio 55 - that has produced Breaking the Taboo and The ABTO Podcast

Be sure to join us for our upcoming fundraiser event with SSAFA, the Armed Forces Charity, on Thursday 26th March 2026. Tickets are available: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ssafa-fundraiser-the-greatest-car-company-debate-charity-auction-tickets-1977379995797

This week on Wolfe Power Club, we take a deep dive into the realities of the UK’s electric vehicle transition.

After attending the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) Electrified event, our host, Alex Wolfe, reflects on what we heard from across the industry. We meet the leadership teams from: Volkswagen Group, McLaren, JLR, Volvo, Toyota and Ford. 

So is it finally time to end the ZEV mandate?

Four years on from the ZEV ambitions and two years on from the Zero Emissions Vehicle Mandate, we explore how expectations compare to reality from adoption rates and infrastructure rollout to the true cost of EV manufacturing and ownership.

We also examine the growing financial pressure on the industry, including what has become a multi-billion-pound challenge for manufacturers, and discuss whether current policy is helping or hindering progress.

Alongside this, we cover recent developments in global energy markets, including tensions around the Strait of Hormuz and the impact on fuel prices.

Season Two is in Partnership with The Spectator

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Wolfe Power Club Production Team

Account Manager: Emilia Donovan

Director of Government Relations: Max Austin

Sales & Development Executive: Jacob Ryder

Designer: Nick Pelekanos

Editor: Adam Woodward

Social Media Manager: Bella Carter

Recorded at Studio 55 - that has produced Breaking the Taboo and The ABTO Podcast

Oil markets are moving rapidly. The intra-day high reached $119 per barrel following conflict in the Middle East, after trading in the low $60s just two weeks ago.

Earlier this week, the market also moved through $119 per barrel, raising immediate questions about the impact on UK pump prices and fuel costs for drivers and businesses.

Could prices move even higher, potentially approaching the $147 per barrel peak seen during the Russian invasion of Ukraine energy shock?

In this episode, host Alex Wolfe welcomes back James Spencer, Managing Director of Portland Fuel, to explain what is driving the latest surge in global oil markets and what it means for UK consumers.

⚡ Oil rising from the $60s to $119 in two weeks
⚡ Oil crossing $119 earlier today and the impact on pump prices
⚡ Petrol and diesel prices reacting across the UK
⚡ What drivers and businesses should watch next

⚡ Incredibly large gap in refined products such as aviation fuel and kerosene

⚡ The OBR has warned that fuel prices could raise inflation by 3%

This episode builds on last week’s discussion with S&P Global, where we focused on upstream risks linked to potential disruption around the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil chokepoints.

James Spencer started his career in oil refining in 1994, with Mobil and then BP, after graduating from Cambridge University. In 2003, James joined the Bayford Group of Companies as Group Operations Director, looking after their £500m pa portfolio. During this time, he also became Chairman of the Association of UK Oil Independents. In 2009, James set up Portland Fuel, a company offering fuel price data, advisory services and fuel hedging. He is a regular contributor to national debates on oil prices and has appeared numerous times in the UK media.

Be sure to join us for our upcoming fundraiser event with SSAFA, the Armed Forces Charity, on Thursday 26th March 2026. Tickets are available: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ssafa-fundraiser-the-greatest-car-company-debate-charity-auction-tickets-1977379995797

Season Two is in Partnership with The Spectator

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Wolfe Power Club Production Team

Account Manager: Emilia Donovan

Director of Government Relations: Max Austin

Sales & Development Executive: Jacob Ryder

Designer: Nick Pelekanos

Editor: Adam Woodward

Social Media Manager: Bella Carter

Recorded at Studio 55 - that has produced Breaking the Taboo and The ABTO Podcast

How vulnerable are global oil markets to escalation involving Iran?

Nearly 20% of the world’s traded crude oil passes through the Strait of Hormuz, making it the most strategically important energy chokepoint in the world. As tensions rise in the Middle East, investors and businesses are reassessing supply risk in 2026.

In this episode, Andy Critchlow, Global Head of News at S&P Global Energy & Platts, examines with host Alex Wolfe:

• The strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz
• Iran’s oil export volumes over the past 12 months and their role in global supply
• The immediate market reaction following the latest developments
• Why oil began 2026 near $60 per barrel despite geopolitical risk
• Whether disruption involving Iran would be more complex than the post-Ukraine rebalancing
• The key indicators shaping energy security, pricing and volatility

With markets entering the year in apparent oversupply, this episode explores whether geopolitical risk is fully reflected in current oil prices and what could shift the balance in the months ahead.

Andy Critchlow is an experienced British business journalist and editor, currently serving as the Head of News for EMEA at S&P Global Commodity Insights. Specialising in energy, commodities and Middle East politics, he has over 25 years of experience, including previous roles at Reuters Breakingviews, The Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg.

Be sure to join us for our upcoming fundraiser event with SSAFA, the Armed Forces Charity, on Thursday 26th March 2026. Tickets are available: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ssafa-fundraiser-the-greatest-car-company-debate-charity-auction-tickets-1977379995797

#straitofhormuz  #iranoil  #oilprices

Season Two is in Partnership with The Spectator

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Wolfe Power Club Production Team

Account Manager: Emilia Donovan

Director of Government Relations: Max Austin

Sales & Development Executive: Jacob Ryder

Designer: Nick Pelekanos

Editor: Adam Woodward

Social Media Manager: Bella Carter

Recorded at Studio 55 - that has produced Breaking the Taboo and The ABTO Podcast

Formula E had 561 million viewers globally last year. Learn how it is redefining global motorsport.

Recorded live, as part of our coverage of Energy Institute's International Energy Week in London, this episode features Tilly Wilkinson, Senior PR & Communications Manager at Envision Racing, discussing with our host, Alex Wolfe, why Formula E is growing so fast in 2026

⚡ 0–60 mph in 1.82 seconds
 ⚡ 40% of race energy regenerated during competition
 ⚡ 400+ million global fans
 ⚡ Gen4 cars launching next season

But this conversation goes deeper than speed.

We explore:

• How Formula E blends elite motorsport with sustainability
• The “Race Against Climate Change” mission
• Why regenerative braking is central to race strategy
• How EV racing influences real-world electric vehicle development
• What makes Formula E different from Formula 1
• Behind-the-scenes insight into a modern racing team

Formula E is now into its 12th season. It attracts major manufacturers, hosted in global city circuits (Monaco, London, Miami), and a rapidly expanding audience.

Is this the beginning of a motorsport shift?

Tilly Wilkinson is the Senior PR and Communications Manager for Envision Racing in the Formula E championship, based in the UK. She leads the team’s media efforts, focusing on promoting sustainability, electric vehicle technology and partnerships, including initiatives like the "Evo Sessions". She also has a background in journalism and PR.

Be sure to join us for our upcoming fundraiser event with SSAFA, the Armed Forces Charity, on Thursday 26th March 2026. Tickets are available: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ssafa-fundraiser-the-greatest-car-company-debate-charity-auction-tickets-1977379995797

#FormulaE #ElectricVehicles #FutureOfMotorsport

Season Two is in Partnership with The Spectator

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Wolfe Power Club Production Team

Account Manager: Emilia Donovan

Director of Government Relations: Max Austin

Sales & Development Executive: Jacob Ryder

Designer: Nick Pelekanos

Editor: Adam Woodward

Social Media Manager: Bella Carter

Recorded at Studio 55 - that has produced Breaking the Taboo and The ABTO Podcast