Ofgem

The Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem) is a regulatory body in the United Kingdom that regulates monopoly companies which run gas networks. This helps to put prices under control, as well as enforcing decisions for improvements on energy efficiency so they meet environmental standards.

OfGem are responsible for:

working with government, industry and consumer groups to deliver a net-zero economy, at the lowest cost to consumers
stamping out sharp and bad practice, ensuring fair treatment for all consumers, especially the vulnerable
enabling competition and innovation, which drives down prices and results in new products and services for consumers.

OfGem work within a statutory framework agreed by Parliament, which outlines the duties expected of the organization as well as granting them the powers they need to achieve each objective set.

It is the government’s responsibility to set and propose changes for energy policy. They have a clear role in supporting policies such as decarbonization, but they do not direct overall policy within this sector. However, when there are important gaps that affect consumers present OfGem are in place and can call those out so that there is further awareness around this issue.

Previously known as our Executive Director of Systems and Networks in April of 2018, February of 2020 saw Jonathan Bearley nominated as their own Chief Executive.

Having earned a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Physics from Glasgow University, he later went on to earn a Masters degree in Economics from the University of Cambridge.

Jonathan is a go-getter with strong ties to the energy sector. He has led Electricity Market Reform as the Director for Energy Markets and Networks at DECC, where he developed Climate Change Act legislation before moving on to lead cross-government strategy unit focussed on climate change and energy issues in his role as head of Office of Climate Change.

Jonathan’s wide portfolio experience includes work that spans both policy development (as leader) and implementation efforts like leading electricity market reform.

BEIS

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) replaced the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) and the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) in July 2016. Today, they have around 3,000 people employed within the organization that is scattered throughout London, Aberdeen and the rest of the United Kingdom.

They are responsible for:

Business
Industrial strategy
Science, Research and Innovation
Energy and clean growth
Climate change

Today, their priorities lie in a handful of worldwide, with most recent issues lying within fighting the impacts of COVID-19 in businesses and workplaces as well as encouraging the development and manufacture of a vaccine;

BEIS look to reduce UK greenhouse gasses and gas emissions as an attempt at tacking climate change in order to reach Net Zero by 2050. You can learn more about their updated goals here.

Previously acting as the Minister of State, Kwasi Kwarteng was appointed Secretary of State at the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy on 8 January 2021.

Kwasi was in charge of the Department for Exiting the European Union from 16 November 2018 to 24 July 2019, and studied Classics and History at Trinity College in Cambridge, and then went on to attend Harvard University on a Kennedy Scholarship. He returned to the UK with a PhD in Economic History from the University of Cambridge one year later.

Kwasi was a British MP who worked as an analyst in the financial sector before he became elected. He is also part of various committees, including Transport and Work and Pensions Committees which are both important areas to learn about because they’re very different from one another.

Kwasi has been working as a Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS) for quite some time. His first PPS role was in 2015 when he became The Leader of the House Lords, and then later took on an even more prestigious position which required him to work with the Chancellor of Exchequer.

Similarly, Michael Mathewson was appointed Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport in May of 2021.

As the Cabinet Secretary, Matthew is responsible for:

Cross-government co-ordination of Net Zero policy
Climate crisis and environmental protection
COP26 delivery
Biodiversity
Sustainable development
Circular economy, including implementation of the Deposit Return Scheme
Cross-government co-ordination of infrastructure (policy, investment and commission)
Cross-government delivery of 20-minute neighbourhoods
Renewable energy industries
Energy and energy consents
Energy efficiency
National Public Energy Agency
Heating and domestic energy transformation
Heat networks
Fuel poverty
Physical and marine environment
Flood prevention and coastal erosion
Scottish Environmental Protection Agency
NatureScot
Zero Waste Scotland
Water quality and Scottish Water
Strategic Transport Projects Review

Born in Glasgow in 1970, Michael grew up to study at Queen Margaret College, Edinburgh, where he obtained a BSc in Occupational Therapy. Alongside this, he holds a diploma in Applied Social Sciences fro the Open University.

Before the MSP position, Mathewson practiced his profession as an occupation therapist throughout Scotland with Stirling Council, Central Regional Council and Highland Regional Council.

After being elected as the MSP for Falkirk West following the May 2007 elections, Michael Matheson was appointed Minister of Public Health and Sport in 2009. He also sat on a variety of committees including justice, enterprise and culture committees before his appointment to cabinet secretary for Justice in November 2014, and continued to be reappointed two years later. In June of 2018, he was appointed Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity.

Energy Institute President – Steve Holliday FREng FEI – Former Chief Executive National Grid