Meet the team

Nathan Dad: Head of I&C Supply Sales, SmartestEnergy Limited

Nathan joined SmartestEnergy in 2013 as a Channel Development Manager and shortly after took up the role of Head of Channel Development in 2017, before moving into his current role in 2019.

He is responsible for the management of new business growth and retention of existing customers through the retail arm. His role includes managing three Sales teams covering the TPI Sector and Strategic prospects, as well as the retention of our current 6 TWh retail business. Nathan has greatly contributed to year on year sales growth and has acquired significant new customers and frameworks.

Before joining SmartestEnergy, Nathan was a Key Accounts Manager with Bergen Energi, managing a portfolio of pan-European and UK clients, and initially joined the energy industry in 2003 as a Customer Relations Manager with RWE Npower, after having completed a BA Hons in International Relations.

Jessica Butlin: Channel Development Team Manager, SmartestEnergy Limited

Jessica manages the Channel Development team, responsible for I&C Supply Sales and growth, and manages SmartestEnergy’s relationship with a number of key consultants.

Her current focus is strategic planning to ensure SmartestEnergy are best placed to continue providing a high standard of service and flexible products in the changing market.

Jess joined SmartestEnergy as a Channel Development Manager in 2016 and started managing the team in 2019.

Her career in the energy industry began in 2002, and she has since held several customer-facing roles across sales and account management with EnergyQuote and British Gas Business, collating 20 years of industry experience.

Gavin Rayner: Key Accounts Team Manager, SmartestEnergy Limited

Gavin joined SmartestEnergy in 2008 and is now Key Accounts Team Manager. In this role, he is responsible for supporting the team with the development of relationships with TPIs, and the growth and retention of existing retail contracts.

Since starting his current role in 2014, Gavin and his team have been focused on ensuring SmartestEnergy are best placed to successfully renew contracts, by working closely with TPI’s to continue to deliver the excellent levels of service they have become accustomed to receiving from us.

Before joining SmartestEnergy, Gavin had years of experience in the sector, having worked at Eon for 9 years in customer services and sales areas of the business.

Sean Langford: Channel Development Manager, SmartestEnergy Limited

Sean joined SmartestEnergy in 2017 as a Channel Development Manager and is responsible for relationship management for a number of our key TPIs, and the development of new business products and opportunities to meet customer needs.

He specialises in structuring and implementing flexible frameworks with TPIs and customers and hopes to continue to work on exciting framework opportunities, finding solutions for large end consumers in this challenging market.

Having joined the energy industry in 2003, Sean has over 19 years of experience in the energy sector, with 16 years in account manager roles, including at a Big-Six supplier and large end TPI.

Outside work, Sean loves to travel, having been to over 50 counties over 6 continents, and plans to have visited every country in Europe within the next 2 years.

Luke Prior: Channel Development Manager, SmartestEnergy Limited

Luke joined SmartestEnergy in 2017 as a Channel Development Manager. In this role, Luke is responsible for managing and evolving relationships with several key TPIs and securing fixed and flexible new business contracts for Smartest. He coordinates the promotion of our products and renewable solutions and ensures industry-leading service.

Luke was critical in winning the Cambridge Colleges contract in 2020, which involved the collaboration of multiple internal teams, resulting in a bespoke contract with a supporting engagement strategy to promote the renewable product to the students.

Having worked over 15 years in both the UK and Australian energy markets, he has strong relationship and account management experience working with large portfolios of multi-national clients.

Before his energy career, Luke graduated from Sheffield Hallam University with a Bachelor’s degree in Urban and Regional Geography.

Mark Cox: Strategic Account Manager, SmartestEnergy Limited

Mark joined SmartestEnergy in 2014 as a Strategic Account Manager. In this role, Mark is responsible for the management of senior stakeholder relationships with some of Smartest's largest I&C clients with combined annual revenues of over £200m. He negotiates high-value supply contracts with buyers based across the UK, Europe & US and hosts our ever-popular live Non-Commodity Cost webinars.

Mark has played a leading role in delivering our new demand response services to secure additional revenue streams for customers and provide more flexible options for the business by managing market imbalance risk.

Before commencing his role at SmartestEnergy, Mark was Account Director at Inenco, raising their profile in the elite £10m+ energy spend market. Mark studied Geography at Birmingham University and he has now worked for over 27 years in the energy industry, previously holding roles with E.ON, Corona Energy, Shell Gas and British Gas. Outside of work, he enjoys sports and is a qualified FA football coach.

Owen Moulton: Key Account Manager, SmartestEnergy Limited

Owen is responsible for several customer accounts and portfolios, ensuring SmartestEnergy meet individual customer requirements. He focuses on delivering excellent service and bringing new opportunities to add value for customers.

He joined SmartestEnergy in June 2015 as a Proposition Executive in the Marketing Team, focusing on Proposition and Product Development, including the development of our award-winning Certified Renewable Product, and has since worked as Account Manager and now Key Account Manager.

Before joining SmartestEnergy, Owen was a member of the Rentokil Initial Graduate Scheme, with roles in Marketing & Innovation, Change and Lean Improvement, before moving into Product Marketing on Initial’s global product range.

Owen gained a Bachelor’s degree in Business and Marketing at the University of Hull, where he was a part of the university squash club and football teams. Outside work, Owen continues to enjoy playing squash and football, and playing the piano.

Ashley Armitage: Channel Development Manager, SmartestEnergy Limited

Ashley joined SmartestEnergy in 2018 as a Channel Development Manager and is responsible for building relationships and working with TPI partners to promote the SmartestEnergy brand and help find the right solutions for their customers, with a current focus on CPPA products.

Ashley previously worked in several roles at Gazprom Energy, involving people management and leading on some of the largest TPI and customer portfolios in the energy market.

Prior to his career in energy, he graduated from Hull University with a bachelor's degree in Marketing, where he was Sport Vice President and a member of the Cricket Club.

Ben Seear: Partner Account Manager, SmartestEnergy Limited

Ben's key responsibilities include building and maintaining relationships with a number of our customers and key partners, as well as account management and customer renewals. He aims to continue to work closely with our other teams to ensure our customers receive a high standard of service and the best possible experience working with SmartestEnergy.

He joined SmartestEnergy in July 2021, having previously worked for a TPI as a Senior Account Manager, and has amassed over 11 years of experience in the energy industry in procurement and account management roles.

Louise Brown: Channel Account Manager, SmartestEnergy Limited

Louise joined SmartestEnergy in 2011 as one of the Channel Account Managers. She is responsible for a number of key portfolios, TPIs and customers, and is involved in the whole customer journey to make sure that we meet the customers' needs, ensuring people and queries are treated with the attention they deserve.

Her primary focus is to continue building these key relationships, treating customers and TPIs with the best customer service possible.

Prior to working at SmartestEnergy, she worked for a TPI and at E.ON Energy for 4 years in a sales-orientated role. Outside work, she enjoys being outdoors and has recently taken up cold water swimming.

Chris Airey: Channel Account Manager, SmartestEnergy Limited

Chris joined SmartestEnergy in 2019 as a Customer Service Executive. Gaining an understanding of the pricing and tenders side of commercial energy and the various government levies and charges that go along with it, to price to customer and business needs, he moved into his current role as Channel Account Manager.

He is now responsible for maintaining and strengthening relationships with a diverse portfolio of customers. Meeting customers’ needs and managing relationships for the betterment of both them and the business is a vital contribution to the overall business strategy.

Chris has been a vital part in helping the business undertake our Smart Metering Project, championing this from a Sales perspective and liaising between the team and the Smart Metering Project managers. He has also helped grow one of our largest framework portfolios in his first year within this role.

Before SmartestEnergy, Chris has years of customer service experience, with his most recent role as Team Leader at Flow Energy. Outside of work, Chris is an avid writer and has written a book that he would love to have published one day.

Gemma Mitchell: Key Account Manager, SmartestEnergy Limited

Gemma joined SmartestEnergy in 2021 as Key Account Manager, where she is responsible for managing a number of our large managing agent portfolios. She works alongside the TPI and customer in each case to keep the account running smoothly, ultimately maintaining and developing the relationship with the aim to renew and build the current portfolio.

Gemma started her career in the energy sector as a Customer Service Apprentice with British Gas in 2012 and has now amassed 10 years of experience in the energy industry, with her most recent role as a Business Development Manager for a TPI. In 2018, Gemma took a career break and based herself in Australia for 9 months, and enjoyed the opportunity to travel across Asia and many other countries.

Cathie McMaster: Key Account Manager, SmartestEnergy Limited

Cathie is responsible for managing Direct Customers and large managing agent portfolios, ensuring SmartestEnergy meets our clients’ requirements. She is focused on delivering excellent service and will continue building key relationships by ensuring SmartestEnergy provides the best customer service possible.

Her current focus and future aspiration are to have a clear understanding of the clients’ and TPIs needs.

Cathie joined the industry in 1997 and has worked in many areas from Back office, Billing, metering & Customer Service. She has worked as a Key Account Manager for 20 years. She has worked for E.ON, EDF Energy and Consultus International Group.

Outside of work Cathie enjoys spending time with her family, visiting the theatre, and watching the Rugby.

Charlotte Palmer: Key Account Manager, SmartestEnergy Limited

Charlotte joined SmartestEnergy in 2012 and worked within the Sales Support team. She later became Channel Account Manager and progressed to Partner Account Manager, managing some of our biggest TPI flexible portfolios. In 2021 she joined joined TotalEnergies as a National Account Manager. In 2022 she returned to SmartestEnergy as Key Account Manager.

Charlotte is responsible for managing a number of our large managing agent portfolios. She works alongside the TPI and customer in each case to keep the account running smoothly, ultimately maintaining and developing the relationship with the aim to renew and build the current portfolio. Charlotte’s focus main focus is to support our customers and TPIs in navigating their way through the volatile energy market and continue to build our relationships. Before joining SmartestEnergy in 2012, Charlotte worked for Eon within the SME servicing team and then I spent 2 years at a TPI as a customer service account manager. In 2012 she took a year out and travelled and worked in Australia. She has about 17 years of experience in the energy industry.

Outside of work Charlotte likes to stay active. She has completed 15 half marathons and a tri-athlon. She is aiming for London marathon next!

Tom Hobbs: Key Account Manager, SmartestEnergy Limited

Tom has been in the industry since 2010. He has worked for suppliers such as Opus Energy and British Gas Business, in various commercial, analytical, and account management roles. He has a BA in Business Management from the University of Leicester and a Prince2 Project Management Qualification.

His main responsibility within SmartestEnergy is to solve customer queries through product knowledge. He is focused on getting to know the TPIs he works with in order to understand their needs and give them the best customer experience.

Tom loves to travel and he has visited 60 different countries.

Rowan Nott: Channel Development Manager, SmartestEnergy Limited

Rowan's role as a Channel Development Manager focuses on building strong relationships with TPIs and managing C&I tenders to help customers find the correct solution to their requirements.

Her current focus is on cPPAs and flexible contracting. Keen to help customers develop their journey to Net Zero. She joined the Energy Industry in 2019. Rowan has previous experience from working at a TPI and a supplier. Her previous role was at Centrica, managing the tenders of large C&I customer with bespoke needs, including PPAs.

Rowan shared that she loves being a mum and she enjoys spending her evenings and weekends with her daughter. She inspires her to be the best role model she can.

Orsolya Csige: Key Account Manager, SmartestEnergy Limited

Orsolya joined Smartest Energy in 2023 as a Key Account Manager. In this role, Orsolya is overseeing several strategic accounts of large commercial and industrial companies across the UK, managing the relationship with key customer and TPI stakeholders. Her focus is to deliver a high standard of services, ensuring that each customer’s unique needs are met.

Before starting at Smartest Energy, Orsolya worked for a TPI as a Client Energy Associate where she created strategic energy plans for a wide variety of large I&C companies across the UK, Europe and Australia. In her previous role at a TPI as a Senior Risk Analyst, she developed and executed hedging strategies for her customers.

Orsolya studied Management and Business Administration at the University of Debrecen (Hungary) and International Economics at the Corvinus University of Budapest (Hungary). Outside of work she enjoys hiking in the mountains, running and yoga.

Beth Morris: Key Account Manager, SmartestEnergy Limited

Beth joined SmartestEnergy in June 2014, after 9 years working at E.On, as a Customer Service Executive, and has worked her way up through various sales roles to Key Account Manager. Beth’s key responsibilities include building and maintaining relationships with a number of our customers and key partners, as well as account management and customer renewals with a special focus on Framework product customers.

She aims to continue to work closely with internal stakeholders to ensure our customers receive a high standard of service and the best possible experience working they have come to expect from SmartestEnergy.