WUN4ALL

In this episode , we are joined by Sarah Wilson from Valda Energy to reflect on her journey being diagnosed with ADHD. From her journey at school and throughout her career, we discuss what it was like to navigate work and daily life without a clear understanding of neurodiversity, exploring the personal challenges and emotions that came with that experience. We discuss where individuals, managers, and teams can turn for reliable resources and support, and highlight the benefits that emerge when workplaces genuinely embrace neurodiverse talent. 

Listen in to gain valuable insights into Sarah's journey and what businesses across utilities can do to create more inclusive environments and provide meaningful support for neurodiverse employees at every stage of their careers.

In this WUN Podcast episode, Julia Stichling speaks with Sal Watson from Mott MacDonald about her journey from geology student to industry leader. Sal reflects on her academic and consultancy experience, including major projects like the London 2012 Olympics, and her current role shaping strategy at Mott MacDonald and as a non-executive director at British Water.

Sal reflected on developing her leadership skills during part-time working years, drawing on experience as a school governor and committing to continual learning. 

Looking ahead, Sal and Julia discussed long-term planning in the water industry, the pressures of increased investment demands, the need for industrialised project delivery, and building public trust amid climate concerns. In the podcast they touch on the urgency of addressing the sector’s talent pipeline and increasing public awareness of water systems.

In this podcast, WUN advocate Heidi Knapton , South Staffs & Cambridge Water speaks to Laura AKA ‘Worn Out Working Mum’ on all things maternity and work.

Whether you’re navigating your own parenting journey or an employer on a mission to get this right – we are discussing it all! 

An authentic discussion around every aspect of ‘the motherhood penalty’ and how best to navigate, with top tips and shared experiences shared along the way”.

In this episode of the WUN podcast, WUN Programme Development Manager Karen Anderson is joined by Georgina Mills, Director of Energy Systems Management and Security at OFGEM. Georgina shares insights from her impressive career spanning the UK water and energy sectors, including her time at Ofwat and the New Zealand Commerce Commission.

Georgina shares insights on the complex challenges facing the energy sector—from affordability to the drive for net zero—and how OFGEM is responding through innovation, regulatory reform and leadership. Georgina highlights the potential of demand-side flexibility and the importance of removing barriers to progress.

The conversation also delves into diversity and inclusion, flexible working and how OFGEM is supporting its staff. Georgina reflects on her leadership style and the cultural shifts needed to lead through uncertainty in a rapidly changing industry.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the future of energy, leadership and inclusive growth.

Ramona Vlasiu (Pergel) is Chief Operating Officer of E.ON Next . She won Utilities Business Woman of the Year at the Great British Businesswomen Awards in January 2025 and she is also a finalist in the Women in Utilities Awards in June.

In this podcast Jo Butlin, WUN Founder & Director chats about what winning the Business Women of the Year award means to Ramona. We discuss her career journey to date, which started in legal services before she moved into E.ON Romania and then moved with E.ON from Romania to the UK, where she has now settled with her family.

Ramona talks about her style of leadership and the importance to her of culture and team. We also discuss the challenges of having a high flying career at the same time as being a mother of young children.

 NOTE : 27/06/25 Ramona was also announced as the Women of the Year at the Women in Utilities Awards. 

We hear from the inspiring Lee Chambers Founder and CEO of Male Allies UK, who  shared some great insight around his own observation & experience of  Allyship & how we all an can “ combine, unite & bring together “ 

 Our panellists  were Joshua Ketley, WRc Group and Institute of Water Rising Star 2025, Halyma Begum, Calisen  & Keri Handford Cadent who shared some great practical tips to enable us all to #Speak UP .

 Expertly chaired by  WUN advocate Julia Stichling,  R2M .

"Operational nuclear isn’t all about radioactive rods and scientists; there is a whole village of people that make power stations safely contribute to the UK’s energy mix."

In this latest WUN podcast Aimee Konieczny, WUN Advocate and Commercial Director at Indigo Swan, talks to Caroline Burgess, Enablement Manager – Single Integrated Delivery Organisation at EDF Energy’s Sizewell B Nuclear Power Station, about Caroline’s varied career across renewables, oil and gas, and most recently nuclear, and the skills she has learned and can now put into practice on a nationally important infrastructure site.

Caroline talks about the variety of roles available on power stations, living and working in a rural county and how she’s learned to deal with being the lone female voice in various male-dominated industries.

WUN Advocate Kerris Mackley chats to Nicole McNab, the 2024 Women in Utilities Rising Start Winner, discussing the importance of owning your own career – stop waiting for other people to do it for you. Also discussed in this episode is the need to be authentic, that it is ok to have ups and downs, and that the key to successful recruiting is finding people that care!

Nicole is Head of Strategic Partnerships at Southern Water. Joining the industry three years ago into the newly formed Clean Rivers and Seas Task Force, a dedicated team delivering innovative solutions to sustainably reduce storm overflows. Nicole has tackled overflow reduction head on, building new partnerships with councils, businesses, schools and campaign groups, while refusing to accept “that is just the way things are done”. Her ability to translate complex topics to the public, while delivering multi-million-pound schemes at pace, earnt her the Rising Star Award 2024 at the Women in Utilities Awards. Her team also won the Partnership/Alliance Project of the Year at the Water Industry Awards, for installing SuDS in almost 100 schools across the south within 18 months.

Find out more about Women in Utilities Awards 2025- including hearing from other past winners, how to book ceremony tickets or sponsorship opportunities. 

Nicole is also joining the panel - What Future Leaders Want from Today’s Leaders: Attracting and Retaining Talent, 24 April, 2025, 11AM, BST. 

Hear from a panel of future leaders from across the sector as they share their insights on the policies, cultures, and leadership approaches that make an employer truly stand out to the next generation of women in utilities.

Free tickets

The UK is on a Net Zero journey, and Technological advances in both Grid and Data are looking to impact when and how we get to Net Zero in 2050.

In this podcast, WUN Advocate and PPA manager at Inspired PLC- Karen Hosking, brings together a panel of leaders in this field to discuss the challenges and opportunities this brings and also how working with technology, embracing AI, and working in diverse Teams can drive us to Net Zero and a grid fit for future generations.

Our panel for this fascinating podcast:

Claire Dykta   NESO- National Energy System Operator -Director Strategy and Policy

Claire Mack    Scottish Renewables - Chief Executive

Nicole Alley    Capgemini -  Head of UK Renewables

Linda Cuming EDF Renewables - Portfolio Manager Onshore Wind

Note: Investment in AI is set at 2Bn over 3 years – more details on Nicole's insight can be found here: Top Tech Trends of 2025 | Capgemini

WUN Advocate, Lyvia Nabarro, is joined by seasoned marketing professionals Jen Hughes and Jodie Williams. Jen and Jodie set up their multi-award-winning marketing agency, The Marketing Pod, 11 years ago. 

In this podcast we explore what it’s like to take the leap and start your own business, the lessons they learnt from the utilities sector and the difference they wanted to make for their teams and the positive changes they want to see in the industry.