25th February 2025, Isaac Newton Building, University of Lincoln
We’re thrilled to announce The Lincolnshire Energy Conference, a landmark event bringing together businesses, infrastructure providers, and policymakers to discuss affordable pathways to net zero.
Gain exclusive insights from industry experts across the energy sector.
Explore innovative solutions to key challenges in the energy sector.
Connect with leaders shaping Lincolnshire’s energy future.
Be part of the discussion to influence change for the better.
Chair of Midlands Engine
Sir John has a long and distinguished business career at the highest levels covering the technology, financial services and retail sectors. Formerly Chairman, Chief Executive and Founder of Experian plc, Chief Executive of GUS plc, Chairman of Standard Chartered plc, and Chairman of Burberry plc - all FTSE 100 companies. He is committed to supporting the Midlands region as Chair of the Midlands Engine and Midlands Connect. These Government backed initiatives are aimed at driving economic growth throughout the Midlands region, creating new jobs and generally helping people live their lives better. Sir John was the Lord-Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire for 12 years, until March 2024. He has a long-standing interest in education; he was Chairman of the Board of Governors of Nottingham Trent University for 10 years, and in 2017 became Chancellor of Nottingham Trent University. He was knighted in 2011 for services to business and the voluntary sector and appointed Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO) in the 2023 Birthday Honours for services as Lord Lieutenant. Sir John was also appointed Commander of the Order of St John in 2023.
President, National Grid UK Electricity Distribution
Cordi is responsible for the safe and reliable operation of the UK’s largest electricity distribution network, serving more than eight million customers across the East and West Midlands, Southwest and South Wales. As President, Cordi is accountable for National Grid’s £6bn investment programme that will be delivered between 2023-28, keeping clean, fair, affordable power flowing to homes and businesses across our region. In her time at National Grid, Cordi has been a strong advocate for innovative solutions to a decarbonised energy market, believing clean technology solutions and new demand response initiatives can help to deliver Government targets for net zero. Cordi became a fellow of the UK Energy Institute in 2016, acknowledging her significant experience in UK and European energy markets and networks. She was awarded an OBE in 2019 for services to the energy industry.
Head of New Technologies for Gas Services at Siemens Energy
Chairman & CEO, HEYCO Energy Group
George Yates is the president and CEO of HEYCO Energy Group, Inc., an exploration and investment company, with offices in New Mexico, Texas, Spain, and the UK.
Yates has served as chairman of several industry organizations, including the Independent Petroleum Association of America, the Natural Gas Council, Mountain States Legal Foundation, the Business Industry Political Action Committee, and the Independent Petroleum Association of New Mexico. Yates previously sat on the board of Matador Resources Company, a public energy company.
He won the oil and gas industry’s prestigious Chief Roughneck Award in 2004, was inducted into the Rocky Mountain Oil & Gas Hall of Fame in 2009, and into the New Mexico Military Institute’s Hall of Fame in 2015.
Yates holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Texas at Austin and is a graduate of Harvard Business School’s Owner/President Management executive education programme.
Director of Renewable Energy Foundation
Deputy Vice Chancellor (Regional Engagement) University of Lincoln
Julian Free spent 31 years in the Army, during which he spent much of his time deployed to global hot spots such as Kuwait, Kosovo, Sierra Leone, Iraq and Afghanistan in UK, UN and NATO appointments. He ended his service as Commandant Joint Services Command & Staff College at the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom. He was appointed MBE in 2001, OBE in 2009 and CBE in 2012. He holds a B.Ed (Hons) from the University of Exeter and an MA in Defence Studies from Cranfield University. Responsible for the University’s Regional Strategy Julian’s role is to ensure the University meets its civic responsibilities and commitments to making a real difference to people’s lives, increasing opportunities and supporting the region’s prosperity agenda. Julian is also responsible for engagement and business development with the Defence & Security Sector, a role he also pursues for the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership.
Director of Science & Technology - UKIFS
Howard Wilson joined UK Industrial Fusion Solutions in 2025 from Oak Ridge National Laboratory in the US, where he was the Fusion Pilot Plant R&D Lead. Prior to that, he was Professor of Plasma Physics at the University of York, where he established and led the York Plasma Institute and Fusion Centre for Doctoral Training. During that time, he was seconded part-time to UK Atomic Energy Authority (2017-20), where he served initially as Research Programme Director and then as the first (interim) Director for STEP. In his role at UKIFS, he will oversee research in support of the plasma solution for STEP and lead on the science and innovative technologies, including digital, to address critical uncertainties in the design of the STEP Prototype Plant.
Strategic Energy Planning Director and Chief Engineer, NESO
Julian is a chartered engineer with three decades of transmission system operation, planning and investment experience. 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. Julian is also developing whole energy system plans on a national and regional basis.
Executive Councillor for Economy & Place at Lincolnshire County Council
Cllr Colin Davie is the Executive Councillor for Economy & Place at Lincolnshire County Council. This is a position he has held since 2013 and one to which he was reappointed, following elections in May 2017. He has been a member of the County Council since 2005. He is also a Director and Board Member of the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership. He is also a director of National research charity, the Renewable Energy Foundation.
Journalist & Presenter
Sameena anchors national bulletins for ITV at weekends, and throughout the week on Central Tonight in the Midlands, covering a wide range of stories across daily news and documentaries. After studying physiology and chemistry, Sameena was drawn to journalism. She first started working on radio in Manchester, and first appeared on air on BBC Radio Lancashire. Sameena remained with the BBC, going back to Manchester before stints on the BBC Asian Network, BBC West Midlands, BBC London, and Radio 5 Live. On TV Sameena presented and reported for Northwest Today, Inside Out, and Midlands Today before moving to ITV. Sameena has won numerous awards during her broadcasting career, including three RTS Midlands Best Screen Personality Awards, for her work on ITV News Central.
As Executive Councillor for Economic Development, Environment, and Planning at Lincolnshire County Council, I am delighted to introduce this pivotal event. The Lincolnshire Energy Conference represents a unique opportunity to bring together businesses, policymakers, and infrastructure providers to shape the future of energy in our region.
Lincolnshire stands at the forefront of delivering national energy security whilst making the transition to net zero, driving innovation and investment that will benefit our communities and economy. This conference will explore affordable pathways to a sustainable energy future, tackling challenges, seizing opportunities, and demonstrating why Lincolnshire is a vital player in the UK’s energy landscape.
I encourage you to join us on this exciting journey as we work together to secure a resilient, innovative, and affordable energy future for Lincolnshire.
The Sir Isaac Newton Building, University of Lincoln
Brayford Pool , Lincoln, LN6 7TS
The 2025 event has now ended. We will announce details for 2026’s event in the coming months.
Public Transport
The University of Lincoln is a short walk from Lincoln Central Train Station and Lincoln Central Bus Station.
By Car
A pay and display car park is available opposite the University Campus at St Marks Shopping Complex.