The role of the ISG
SSEN’s Independent Stakeholder Group (ISG) is a formal group which provides representation at a strategic level from a wide range of stakeholder segments including Local Government, Sustainability, Environment and Community Energy.
Through independent scrutiny and challenge of the depth, breadth and quality of our engagement, the ISG will hold us to account, assessing how effectively our business plan addresses key consumer and stakeholder concerns. The ISG will also help ensure that we maintain, and build upon, our culture of consistent, relevant and effective engagement.
If you would like to find out more about the ISG, please contact ED3@sse.com.
Meet our ISG:
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Sharon Darcy, Chair
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Tamar Bourne
Tamar is the head of smart energy for Regen, a not-for-profit centre of energy expertise whose mission is to transform the world’s energy systems for a zero-carbon future. She strives to be at the cutting edge of the energy sector through both thought leadership and pioneering projects.She leads Regen’s work in data and digitalisation, smart technologies and innovative supply models.
Tamar has previously been a member of both the SSEN Customer Engagement Group and the Stakeholder Advisory Panel. Her background is in sustainability research and project management. Prior to joining Regen, she worked for the Sustainable Development Commission. -
Chris Watts
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Fayza Benlamkadem
Fayza is Head of Food, Farming and Environment at the National Farmers Union, a 44,000 strong member organisation, where she works alongside national officeholders and sector commodity boards to develop policy on issues that have the most immediate impact on farm business operations.
Fayza has a background in developing regulatory strategy and policy, having held roles at Ofwat, the Ministry of Justice and the Nursing and Midwifery Council. Prior to this, Fayza worked in sustainability consulting and was a barrister specialising in criminal and regulatory law. -
Claire Whyley
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Andrew McMunnigall
Andrew is the Planning Lead for the Mayor of London's Infrastructure Coordination Service, where he is leading on preparation of local area energy plans in London and supporting development of new energy planning data tools and support functions. Prior to this, he worked in a variety of policy roles at the Greater London Authority and National Infrastructure Commission, and also for the NSW Government working on land use planning strategies for metropolitan Sydney.
Andrew was a member of SSEN's Customer Engagement Group between 2019 and 2022, supporting development of the ED2 business plan. -
Barry Coughlan
Biography to be added.
"This is an exciting - yet critical - time for Distribution networks. To support further economic growth and the delivery of our shared decarbonisation goals, significant investment is needed. At the same time, many of SSEN Distribution’s customers face real cost of living and financial pressures."
"The ISG is key to ensuring the interests of SSEN Distribution’s stakeholders shape the company’s decision making, strengthening the ED3 business plan and building confidence in the process."
Chairperson of SSEN Distribution’s
Independent Stakeholder Group
ISG Dates
Important Documents
In this section you’ll find lots of useful documents including the ISG Terms of Reference, the principles they apply when logging formal challenges and other important documents such as relevant research findings.