Nicola Connelly and Andrew Findlay will lead the sector wide mission for skills in energy, water, and waste.
The Energy and Utility Skills Partnership (EUSP) CEO Council has appointed Nicola Connelly, Chief Executive of SP Energy Networks, and Andrew Findlay, Chief Executive of M Group, as co chairs to lead the national effort to build the safe and skilled workforce required to deliver the ambitions and opportunities arising from unprecedented investment in energy, water, and waste.
Their appointment comes as EUSP begins implementation of its 2025 to 2030 Skills Strategy which sets out how the sector will respond to the requirement for more than 312,300 new people by the end of the decade to support energy, water, and waste services across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. This marks an important moment for the sector as it works to build the safe, skilled, and sustainable workforce needed to realise the UK’s energy, water, and waste ambitions.
The work of the Council will drive and support every nation of the UK, recognising the shared challenges, distinct priorities, and common opportunities across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
On her appointment, Nicola Connelly, said:
“I’m delighted to take on this role at such a pivotal time for our sector. The challenges ahead are significant but so are the opportunities. I’m encouraged by the work and plans already underway and by the commitment from our members. Working together across energy, water, and waste we can build the skilled, resilient workforce that the UK needs to deliver its ambitions. Collaboration will be key and I look forward to driving progress with partners across every nation.”
On his appointment, Andrew Findlay, said:
“I’m excited to be collaborating with Nicola to drive professional development and promote inclusive career pathways across our sector, building a sustainable workforce ready to meet the UK’s evolving infrastructure needs for its people, the economy and the environment.”
Group CEO of Energy & Utility Skills, Paul Cox, said:
“Today’s appointments are a significant milestone for our members, our partnership, and the wider sector. I would like to congratulate Nicola and Andrew, and we appreciate the commitment they are bringing to these important roles.
Between them, they bring deep experience and a strong understanding of our sectors. Their joint leadership will be central to delivering our national skills priorities and ensuring we stay coordinated, ambitious, and focused on outcomes that strengthen the workforce across energy, water, and waste and deliver benefits for communities across the UK.”
CEO Council – The Sector’s Authoritative Voice on Skills
The CEO Council brings together chief executives and managing directors across energy, water, and waste. The Council works alongside ministers and officials from DESNZ, DEFRA, DWP, Skills England, DfE, MoJ, HMPPS, the Department for the Economy Northern Ireland, and Skills Development Scotland to ensure national coherence on skills.
As the sector’s authoritative voice on skills, the Council:
- Provides collective leadership
- Aligns industry, employers, and government around shared priorities
- Ensures national skills policy reflects the needs of those delivering the UK’s essential services
Meeting twice a year, the Council sets strategic direction, agrees cross sector skills priorities, and oversees delivery through the EUSP Delivery Board.
A Pivotal Point for Implementation
Nicola and Andrew take on the co chair roles as the sector moves from planning to coordinated delivery. With updated Terms of Reference in place and the 2025 to 2030 Skills Strategy entering its first phase of implementation, the Council will play a central role in guiding national action on skills across energy, water, and waste.
Meeting the Workforce Challenge and Realising the Opportunity Ahead
The Strategy sets out how the sector will respond to the requirement for more than 312,300 new people by 2030. It focuses on widening the talent pipeline, improving access to training, and supporting people from all backgrounds into secure and long term careers across every nation of the UK.
Built around four pillars of research, attract, develop, and retain, the Strategy provides clear actions to strengthen workforce capability, improve resilience, and
support employers in delivering the essential services that underpin the UK’s environmental, economic, and infrastructure goals.
Join the National Mission
The energy, water, and waste sectors keep the UK running. Through EUSP, members are shaping national action to build the safe and skilled workforce needed across every nation of the UK.
The three steps below outline how action can be taken today.
1. Learn more about the 2025 to 2030 Skills Strategy
Explore the Strategy to understand the scale of the workforce challenge and the actions the sector is taking to respond.
2. For members whose CEO or MD is not yet part of the CEO Council
Read the Terms of Reference and apply to join the Council as set out, helping to guide national skills priorities across energy, water, and waste.
3. For organisations not yet in membership
Join the Partnership to contribute to national skills leadership and support the workforce that delivers the UK’s essential services. Information about and benefits of membership are linked here.
