Meet the members of SSEN's DSO Advisory Board

A diverse group of experts will push SSEN's DSO team to go further – and faster – in pursuit of what’s in the best interests of our customers, communities, and stakeholders.

As our DSO journey continues, SSEN will be a partner to, and indeed a coordinator of, an increasing variety of sources of local demand and production, making us a leading player in the rapidly-developing low-carbon system.

But how will you know that we are making good decisions when it comes to all of this?

This is where the DSO Advisory Board comes in.

It's made up of experts in consumer engagement, community energy, energy markets and system operation, energy policy, and law. This board will critically evaluate our plans and methodologies, with your interests at the forefront of their minds.?

Meet the board members

Gareth Miller is the Chairperson of SSEN Distribution's DSO Advisory Board.?

Gareth is a former CEO of Cornwall Insight , energy project finance banker and energy policy maker.

He's currently a Non-Executive Director and strategic advisor, and market commentator specialising in the energy sector.

You can read more about Gareth's thoughts as Chairman of the board by reading his blog here:? A word from the chairperson of SSEN's DSO Advisory Board, Gareth Miller - SSEN

Dr Nicki Clegg brings 30 years’ experience in a diverse range of sectors to her role the DSO Advisory Board.

In her various technology leadership roles, she has continually raised the profile of the role technology plays in transforming society.

Nicki recently changed her career’s direction to focus on her passion for driving social mobility and diversity within the tech sector.?

She works with hundreds of businesses every year, helping them implement school engagement as part of their strategic workforce planning, and environmental, social and governance programmes.?

Bridget Hartley is leading the setting up of a Regional Energy Strategic Planning capability for Great Britain; a new role recently given to the ESO.

A chartered gas engineer, she has over 25 years leadership experience in gas transmission and distribution, covering a wide range of areas including strategy, stakeholder, operations, regulation, and investment.

In her spare time, she enjoys trail running, cycling, and ringing church bells.

Dr Charlotte Johnson has over 10 years of experience researching social justice and participation in energy system change.

She is currently Head of Research Programmes at the Centre for Sustainable Energy , where she leads the Fairness Work Programme.

In this role, she leads on a number of innovation projects, working to bring socially-equitable low-carbon solutions to market.?

Charlotte’s excited about the challenge and opportunity facing SSEN in speeding and scaling a fair transition. And having trained as an anthropologist she can’t help bringing culture into discussions about infrastructure.

Dan Roberts has over 25 years of experience as an economic consultant in the GB energy sector, and is currently a Director at Frontier Economics .

He has worked extensively with DESNZ, Ofgem, ESO, and various network owners on the implications of the energy transition, decentralisation, and digitisation for networks, and regularly advises current and potential investors in assets which provide critically needed flexibility on commercial opportunities.

As a proud owner of a heat pump, two EVs, solar panels and a domestic battery system, Dan also speaks from first-hand experience as a flexibility provider!

Jan Webb is Professor in Social and Political Science at The University of Edinburgh, and co-director of the UK Energy Research Centre, where she leads research on local and regional energy systems.

She works with the UK, Scottish and Welsh Governments and local authorities on local and regional energy planning and development.

Jan was awarded an MBE in 2020, and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE). It’s in this role that she’s learned much about climate science, and the major risks of climate change.

When Jan is not thinking about how to respond to climate disruption, she’s usually out walking the hills.