Erikka Askeland

News Editor, Energy Voice

 Erikka is the News Editor for Energy Voice and an award-winning journalist with an influential voice across the UK energy sector.

Through her work, she shapes the stories, conversations, and insights that highlight the achievements and perspectives of those driving change across the industry.

Her deep understanding of the energy landscape, combined with her extensive network and experience as a speaker, events chair, and podcast host, allows her to frame narratives that truly resonate and create meaningful impact.

As a key host and panel chair at Women in New Energy events, Erikka not only leads our editorial content but also facilitates conversations that connect voices across the sector. She hosts podcasts, interviews, and panel sessions, bringing forward the stories and perspectives that matter most. 

Beena Sharma

CEO & Founder, CCU International, Co-Founder Women in New Energy & Advisor, Streamba

Beena is the CEO and Co-Founder of CCU International. CCU International provide next generation carbon capture technology that captures and utilises carbon dioxide from industry emissions. Beena is recognised as a global expert on the topic of carbon capture and utilisation and speaks at conferences and events globally on CCUS, net zero, and clean/climate technology.

Beena is a multi-award-winning professional and is co-founder of Women in New Energy – an initiative who’s purpose is to support and celebrate the critical role women have in shaping the future of the energy sector through networking, learning and collaboration.

Beena also serves as Strategic Adviser to Streamba, where she supports the commercial scale-up of VOR Forge and helps refine the company’s market proposition, with a focus on stronger execution, reducing avoidable emissions, and enhancing operational control across complex energy supply chains.

Having worked in multiple industries, her experience has taken her to various locations around the world. Industries including oil & gas, renewables, manufacturing, construction, and healthcare.

Beena has proven experience in managing high growth and innovative businesses, developing climate change programmes, and driving net zero strategy for businesses.

She is a professional with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), a Postgraduate in Psychology and is a qualified Carbon management specialist.

Annabel Sall

CEO, Think and Co-Founder, Women in New Energy

Annabel Sall is the Owner and CEO of Think, one of Scotland's leading independent PR, marketing and design agencies, which she founded in 2004. With more than two decades of experience advising organisations across the energy, technology and corporate sectors, she has built a reputation for delivering strategic communications that drive growth, strengthen brands and create lasting impact.

Alongside her leadership at Think, Annabel serves as a Board Director at Scottish Autism, following a three-year appointment with Autism & Neurodiversity North Scotland (A-ND). Through her board roles and Think's ongoing pro bono support, she has championed greater awareness and fundraising for neurodiversity, including co-leading the Think Different Dinner, which has raised nearly £180,000 for the charity.

Annabel is also the co-founder of Women in New Energy, an annual conference delivered in partnership with Energy Voice that celebrates and supports the vital role women play in shaping the future of the energy industry. Through her work, she continues to champion inclusive leadership, industry collaboration and innovation across Scotland's business and energy communities.

Dave Lord

National Editorial Director, Energy Voice

Dave is National Editorial Director, leading the editorial strategy for Energy Voice and E-FWD, two of the UK's leading platforms covering the energy transition and the future of energy. He oversees the editorial direction of Energy Voice, ensuring its journalism continues to inform, challenge and connect the industry as it navigates one of the most significant periods of change in its history.

As editorial lead for Energy Voice, Dave also provides strategic oversight of Women in New Energy, working closely with the team to shape its editorial direction and ensure the platform continues to amplify the voices, experiences and achievements of women across the energy sector. Through this partnership, he helps strengthen the connection between Women in New Energy and Energy Voice, supporting meaningful conversations around leadership, diversity, innovation and the future workforce.

As an ambassador for Women in New Energy, Dave is committed to championing greater visibility, representation and opportunity for women across the industry, recognising that a more diverse energy sector is essential to delivering a successful and sustainable energy transition.

Megan Hine

Product Marketing Manager, Dräger

 Megan Hine has worked in the energy industry for 14 years, most recently at Draeger for 8 years under a variety of sales and marketing roles.

She has a passion for sustainability and the energy transition which is reflected in her work. This passion also extends to her personal life where she takes a keen interest in sustainable fashion and waste reduction.

As a former TEDx motivational speaker she has spoken regularly at conferences and events including giving an annual guest lecture at University of Aberdeen on the subjects of “Gas safety for the energy transition” as part of the Renewable Energy Engineering MSc since 2021. 

Mark Freed

Founder & Managing Director, Men for Inclusion

 Mark Freed – Advocate for Workplace Inclusivity and Gender Equality

Mark Freed is the co-founder of Men for Inclusion, an organisation engaging men in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. He champions the idea that inclusion benefits everyone, working to break stereotypes and foster cultural change. Mark has developed strategies to involve even resistant men in DEI, creating thriving workplaces.

Previously, Mark founded E2W, promoting gender equality in financial services. Over 25 years, he supported women through coaching and systemic change, collaborating with HM Treasury on the Women in Finance Charter and addressing the Gender Pay Gap.

Frustrated by slow progress, Mark shifted focus to engaging men as allies, founding Men for Inclusion to drive collaborative solutions. He has also influenced initiatives like Powerful Women and the Diversity Project and contributed to inquiries such as the UK Government's "Sexism in the City." Mark is committed to building inclusive workplaces where everyone can succeed. 

Anthony Harte

Founder, Hartebridge

Christina Horspool

Founder and Strategic Advisor, Company Connecterra Ltd.

Christina Horspool is a strategic leader and advisor at the forefront of the UK’s energy transition, working at the intersection of digital innovation, AI, and climate strategy to drive meaningful, system-level change.

With nearly two decades of experience spanning environmental engineering, global energy consultancy, and executive leadership, Christina has built and led international teams, scaled multi-million-pound business units, and advised organisations across the energy ecosystem on navigating the shift to net zero.

As former Global Environment Manager at Xodus and VP of Sustainability & Climate Action at X-Academy, she has shaped strategy, accelerated green skills programmes, and delivered transformational initiatives across industry, government, and the private sector.

A recognised thought leader and Top 10 female in Technology & Innovation (Transition Economist), Christina is known for connecting big-picture vision with practical execution. She has brought digital solutions to market, including emissions tools for offshore platforms and advised executive teams on both climate risk and net zero opportunities all in a rapidly evolving energy landscape.

Her work sits at the intersection of technology, people, and systems change. Focused on translating the potential of AI and digitalisation into clear, actionable strategies that improve efficiency, accelerate infrastructure delivery, and unlock new commercial opportunities.

Beyond corporate leadership, Christina is deeply committed to shaping a more inclusive and future-ready energy system. Through partnerships, social impact initiatives, and workforce transformation, she is helping ensure the transition to net zero creates lasting economic and societal value.

A dynamic keynote speaker, Christina brings energy, insight, and a forward thinking perspective to one of the sector’s most critical questions: how digital innovation and AI can power the next phase of the UK’s energy transition.

Gareth Dauley

CEO, Koe Energy

 Gareth Dauley is an award-winning CEO and MD with over 20 years of leadership in the global clean energy sector. As the founder of KOE Group and ESU Consulting, he has spearheaded the development of a 1GW pipeline and delivered over 1,500MWh of energy projects, Gareth’s expertise spans the full project lifecycle from securing grid connections and navigating complex planning to negotiating multi-million-pound project financing and PPAs with global firms.

Gareth has successfully partnered with governments and Tier 1 EPCs across Europe, Africa, and the Caribbean to supply sustainable power to over 5 million households. Beyond his technical and commercial achievements in BESS, Solar, and EV infrastructure, he is a dedicated advocate for diversity and mentorship, supporting underrepresented professionals in the energy sector.

He remains focused on leveraging his extensive network and strategic insight to build a net-zero legacy for future generations.