Throughout the development of the RIIO-T2 Business Plan, an independent User Group worked alongside SSEN Transmission. This group was established to understand the processes and methods used by SSEN Transmission to fulfil the regulatory objectives of RIIO-T2 and assess the degree to which the Business Plan was co-created and supported by stakeholders. This independent scrutiny and advice was invaluable throughout the development of the Business Plan.

 

On completion of the RIIO-T2 business planning process, SSEN Transmission decided to continue utilising an independent user group, now called the Network for Net Zero Stakeholder Group. Their role will continue in providing independant scrutiny, challenge and advice on key decisions in the delivery of the RIIO-T2 Businss Plan as well as preparation for RIIO-T3, and holding the business to account on delivering the commitments made, with a particular focus on Net Zero and stakeholder engagement commitments. 

In establishing this group, the business wanted members with the expertise to represent stakeholders, expertise to support the Net Zero energy transition challenges, and/or knowledge of the regulatory processes to provide a level of continuity from the development of the RIIO-T2 business plan.

This Group was established in August 2020 and has continued to meet regularly, reviewing our progress in the delivery of our Business Plan.

  • Tracey Matthews

    Chair

    Tracey is an experienced Executive with a demonstrated history of working in the utilities industry.  Tracey was previously the independent Chair of the RIIO-T2 User Group and the Distribution RIIO-ED2 Customer Engagement Group, providing independent scrutiny of the value of enhanced stakeholder engagement in preparing business plans for the T2/ED2 price control period. Tracey is a highly experienced Non-Executive Director - currently, she holds non-executive roles on the Board at the Office for Nuclear Regulation, Energy and Utility Skills Group and Transport for Greater Manchester. 

  • Geoff Aitkenhead

    Member

    Geoff was the Asset Management Director at Scottish Water for 14 years to July 2016. Since then, Geoff has maintained his involvement in the field of asset management, including investment delivery through independent consultancy roles including work with Scottish Water International and Southern Water. Geoff has also been active in the field of leadership development as an associate of Ceannas. Geoff was a well-respected member of the RIIO-T2 User Group and was also an active member on the SSEN Distribution Customer Engagement Group, during the ED2 price control period.

  • Claire Mack

    Member

    Claire is currently CEO of Scottish Renewables, a member organisation dedicated to strengthening business relationships, and utilising Scotland’s abundant natural resources to secure a future that will deliver on jobs, investment, energy security and climate change. Claire has a wealth of experience in Stakeholder Management and Engagement, Business Strategy, Policy and Change Management. Claire was former Director of Policy and Place at Scottish Council for Development and Industry (SCDI), and Regulatory Affairs Manager at Ofcom, the communications regulator in the UK. 

  • Doug McAdam

    Member

    Doug has spent the last 30 years in private commercial businesses across the aviation, utilities/facilities management, and land management sectors, both internationally and in the UK. From 2006 to 2017 he was CEO of Scottish Land & Estates representing land owning and rural businesses across Scotland. Doug also currently sits on a number of public and private boards including Cairngorms National Park Authority, Wild Scotland and Countryside Learning Scotland, and is also Chairman of Wild Deer Best Practice and the South Grampian Deer Management Group.

  • Julian Leslie

    Member

    Julian is a chartered engineer with three decades of transmission system operation, planning, and investment experience. As Head of Networks and Chief Engineer at National Grid Electricity System Operator, Julian’s role is to prepare Great Britain’s electricity network for net zero operation, defining future network needs so that market and network owners can invest in the right technology solutions at the right time. He is also responsible for transmission system connections, ensuring that access – both connection and maintenance – is safe, secure and straightforward and keeps consumers’ costs to a minimum.

  • Rachel Grant

    Member

    Rachel is Director of Policy and Communications at the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR), having previously worked as ONR’s Head of Policy. Rachel is responsible for a multi-site team of policy and communications professionals to ensure effective policy advice and influence across ONR and with government departments, agencies, and international regulatory bodies. Rachel has worked in a variety of policy, strategy, and programme management roles across government and regulators including the Cabinet Office, Home Office, and the Health and Safety Executive, and holds an LLB law honours degree.

Victoria Murchie

Stakeholder Engagement Manager & Network for Net Zero Stakeholder Group Secretariat

Victoria Murchie from the Stakeholder Engagement team in her PPE.