Meet our Senior Management Team

Sotiris Georgiopoulos

Sotiris leads UK Power Networks’ Distribution System Operator (DSO). He joined the organisation in 2005 as a graduate engineer. Sotiris studied electrical engineering at the University of Manchester, has an MBA from the University of Cambridge and has worked in engineering, construction and innovation. For the last decade he has championed innovative ways to plan and operate our networks, such as flexible connections and the development of flexibility markets. Committed to driving collaboration to deliver a smarter, more flexible network and facilitate Net Zero, Sotiris is also Chair of the ENA’s Open Networks project.

Why Net Zero matters to Sotiris 

“Net Zero is vitally important to us as a business and to me personally. It is fulfilling to have a role in making sure our infrastructure can meet our environmental obligations for us and our customers.”

Lynne McDonald

Lynne McDonald is the Head of Local Net Zero for UK Power Networks. She joined the electricity industry in 2010 after graduating from the University of Strathclyde with a Master’s degree in Electronic and Electrical Engineering and has over 12 years’ experience in the development and deployment of technical, customer and commercial solutions to facilitate Net Zero. In her current role she is responsible for Local Area Energy Planning to facilitate the energy decarbonisation for 133 Local Authorities, a key accelerator to progress climate action plan ambitions.

Why Net Zero matters to Lynne

“Net Zero matters to me because it means making sure our services are fit for our customers – from vulnerable customers and wider demographics to community energy groups – and being part of the effort to increase accessibility and equitability for customers to choose green.”

Alex Howard

Alex leads the Flexibility Markets team at UK Power Networks. Before joining UK Power Networks, he held product, strategy and research roles at Octopus Energy and at Origami, where he worked closely with flexibility providers and renewable asset owners operating in ancillary service and wholesale energy markets. He also worked at the Ministry of Defence and Royal Mail, helping them to adapt to advances in technology and a changing world. He has a degree in Computer Science, two children and an electric bike.

Why Net Zero matters to Alex

“I have two young children. By the time they enter the workforce, we will have a power system that runs without generating carbon. And by the time I retire, our entire society will run on clean energy. This is the work of a lifetime, and I am fortunate to have an important role to play at UK Power Networks.”

Dr Jamie Bright

Jamie has an academic background, obtaining a PhD in solar energy resource assessment through data science application at the University of Leeds. He applied that research in real-time solar forecasting using satellite imagery, feeding intellectual property into a startup called Solcast, later acquired by DNV, part of the Australian National University.

He has further applied his research in developing real-time operational solar PV forecasting for Singapore Power Network (Solar Energy Research Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, 2019-2021). Since joining UK Power Networks in 2021 he has created our first short-term operational forecasting software in the newly formed Data Science & Development team in the DSO.

Why Net Zero matters to Jamie

“Every nation has access to a form of renewable energy, be it from the tides, wind or solar. Net Zero is more than clean air and climate change mitigation, it facilitates independence and equitable access to fuel worldwide. I want to work at UK Power Networks as the ambition of facilitating the best innovations that enable Net Zero has ramifications and societal impact that will be felt for decades.”

Steve Backhouse

Steve has been with UK Power Networks since 1997, when he joined as an apprentice, moving his way up from being a connections jointer to the Control Room. He has been a Network Manager since 2015, looking after a team of Control Engineers and having responsibility for the running of the EPN network, becoming the Power Systems Operations Manager, looking after a small team dealing with flexibly connected customers. He is now the DSO Operations Manager, responsible for the team supporting connected Distributed Energy Resource Management Systems customers and keeping the system operating at capacity.

Why Net Zero matters to Steve

“I see every day first-hand how our new clean energy suppliers can provide electricity and it is a matter of pride to be creating a world where our children can breathe clean air.”

Tim Manandhar

Tim Manandhar is the technology lead for the Distribution System Operation (DSO) at UK Power Networks. Tim is responsible for the strategy and development of DSO technology solutions such as the MegaWatt Dispatch service and whole electricity system coordination. Tim has over 20 years’ experience implementing pioneering initiatives like Active Network Management systems.

Why Net Zero matters to Tim

“Net Zero matters to me because it impacts my future, the future of my children and the future of our planet.”

Zivanayi Musanhi

Zivanayi is a Chartered Manager and Chartered Electrical Engineer with extensive expertise in electrical power system planning, design, analysis, and operation and maintenance across diverse business applications. He has a deep understanding of the GB Electricity Industry and the global energy landscape, particularly the challenges and pressures of the transition to Net Zero. Skilled in navigating industry complexities, Zivanayi develops and delivers practical strategies to mitigate electricity distribution and transmission network constraints, reducing customer connection lead times.

Why Net Zero matters to Zivanayi

“I understand firsthand what climate change is doing to our world. Watching the shifting seasons affect the local communities I grew up, back in Zimbabwe, has been a stark reminder of the real and immediate impacts of environmental change. Seeing these effects unfold has strengthened my passion for driving the energy transition and working towards a sustainable, resilient future for generations to come.”

Dr Daniel Saker

Dr Daniel Saker is Head of DSO Network Strategy at UK Power Networks, leading policy and strategy on smart grids, electric vehicles, network charging, and the transition to Distribution System Operator. I have over 15 years of experience spanning policy, academia, industry research, and the UK’s low-carbon energy transition.

Why do I think net zero matters to Dr Daniel Saker

“Net zero matters to me because we are in the middle of an energy and technological revolution which our networks are at the heart of facilitating. Having spent a large part of my career focused on renewable energy integration and demand side response, I’m eager to deploy and support innovative solutions that enable the transition to happen in a way that benefits all and cements the UK’s status as a global leader.”