Meet The Team

Simon Gosling

Managing Director

Simon’s role is to develop Energynet’s global business portfolio, with a specific focus on government and private investment in Africa’s power and industrial infrastructure sectors.

Simon’s work with the public and private sectors in growing economies provides our clients an important inroad to explore quickly and accurately P&L structures of projects and enables investors to react quickly to market and political changes. He is passionate about job creation and keenly aware of the many industrial sector opportunities and their role in delivering public and private sector growth.

Simon loves comedy, but for the life of him, cannot ever remember a joke; oh, apart from the one about that guy – you know!?

Simon.Gosling@EnergyNet.co.uk

+44 (0)20 7384 8073

Shiddika Mohamed

Group Director

Shiddika has extensive experience in channelling investments through the events sector and has worked closely with Governments and leading businesses across Europe, America, Asia, Africa and more recently Latin America, to achieve this.

As Group Director for EnergyNet, Shiddika manages the delivery of content of the conferences and meeting’s for the ‘World Portfolio’ this includes the Africa Energy Forum, which has grown to become the largest most respected international gathering of Governments Ministers and the global energy industry in driving forward Africa’s Energy sector. Shiddika understands the crucial need for developing energy in ‘growing economies’ to aid social and economic growth and to eliminate poverty, therefore is passionate about getting the message across.

Before joining EnergyNet, Shiddika worked in global capital markets. As part of this for over 8 years she was responsible for developing and leading the world’s flagship portfolio of conferences in the currency markets. The annual conferences were held in London, New York, Tokyo and Singapore, attracting Central Bank Governors and the world’s most prominent currency investors often moving currency markets as a result of the discussions.

Shiddika studied Politics at the University of Warwick in the UK, and has an interest in economic and political developments. In her spare time Shiddika loves travelling, and is not afraid to jump on to a plane to explore destinations off the beaten track. She enjoys, hiking, hanging out with her nephews and nieces, and when she can find time curling up on the sofa with a good book or movie.

Damon Thompson

Commercial Director

Damon is an experienced event sales professional with widespread experience across b2b conferences and exhibitions in the IT, Retail, Energy and Telecoms sectors. He has also worked extensively in the publishing industry, having launched successful telecoms titles for the Middle East and Africa and he also ran his own event business for 5 years – Retail Events, launching a successful portfolio of conferences in the retail IT sector.

In addition Damon has launched a series of food and drink exhibitions in Russia and Ukraine and worked with the British government on the Britain Means Business Expo in Prague and a range of oil and gas conferences in Moscow and St Petersburg. Damon joined EnergyNet in February 2012 as Commercial Director and is responsible for all sponsorship and exhibit sales across the business and for shaping the commercial strategy for AEF, AIF and our portfolio of Powering Africa Series events.

Outside of work Damon enjoys playing tennis, acting and singing with theatre groups and a Rockaoke band and spending time with family and friends.

Damon.Thompson@EnergyNet.co.uk

+44 (0)20 7384 7957

George Hudson

Business Development Manager

George has been at EnergyNet since September 2014, having graduated that year from the University of Birmingham with a degree in Geography. Having been brought up in Putney, George is delighted to have the shortest commute to the office every day.

Since joining EnergyNet he has worked on a number of exciting projects in a variety of markets, including the expansion of the West African portfolio into Ghana, the launch of the pan-African Powering Africa Summit in the U.S., as well as meetings across the East African region. George is looking forward to moving into a slightly different role at EnergyNet, focusing on developing the company’s portfolio across West Africa, which will expose him to challenging and dynamic markets across the region.

Outside of work George is a keen sportsman, playing for two different football teams each week, as well as being an avid Fulham FC fan (for his sins).

Amy Offord

Head of Marketing

Amy has been at EnergyNet for the past six years developing the marketing department within the business. She holds a B.A. in English Literature from the University of East Anglia, and key areas of interest include marketing communications, content strategy, copy-writing, research and audience development.

Amy is also the Editor of the Africa Energy Yearbook, the official publication of the Africa Energy Forum. The Yearbook features non-commercial articles by leading industry experts and academics with a vested interest in the future of Africa's economic, industrial and social development.

In her spare time Amy loves exploring new countries, sketching, running and cooking, and is also partial to the odd skydive...

Amy.Offord@EnergyNet.co.uk

+44 (0)20 7384 8068

Howard Yuchetel

Commercial Manager

Howard has been working within the events sector for the last five years with widespread experience across Retail, IT, Construction, Health Service and Aid & International Development. Before moving in to the events sector, Howard had worked in the banking sector for 5 years.

Howard joined EnergyNet at the start of 2012 to help revolutionise the way that delegates are catered for at each of the different meeting across the year, including helping to shape the delegate strategy for Africa Energy Forum, Africa Infrastructure Forum and the Powering Africa Series, making himself an asset to the team with his boundless enthusiasm and new ideas.

Outside of work Howard is a great chap to be around, as he is always up for a laugh - that is unless you get involved in a football discussion with him about his beloved Tottenham Hotspur.

howard.yuchetel@energynet.co.uk

+44 (0)20 7384 7975.

Valeria M. Aruffo

Director: Africa

As Director of Africa for EnergyNet, Valeria currently works with governments and private sector investors promoting investment into the energy, electricity, and infrastructure sectors in Africa with a clear focus on energy access and economic development through project implementation, climate finance, technology transfer, and capacity building. With an emphasis on energy development and regional cooperation, she has led high level investor’s summits promoting energy access around the world, such as the Africa Energy Forum and Regional Energy Co-operation Summit.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and international relations from the University of Rome, two master’s degrees, one in the history of Africa and one in political studies from the EHESS in Paris.

Juan Pablo Lacorte

Global Sales & Partnerships Manager

Juan Pablo, our Mexican ‘Caballero’, is fluent in Spanish, English and Italian. He studied Business Administration at university and, since then, has gained a wealth of experience in his professional career; working for BBVA Bank in Mexico and moving to London to gain experience in the conference and sales industries. His role with EnergyNet focuses on business development and sales management; exploring new opportunities and interacting and building commercial relationships with high level senior leaders from Top companies. He enjoys being part of the EnergyNet team and is constantly looking to go the extra mile for his colleagues.

J.P. has a passion for dancing, especially to Salsa Music and Bachata but has also taken Tango lessons. He likes to play Piano and enjoys listening to a variety of music.

Charlotte Wood-Dow

Operations Manager

Charlotte has worked in the events sector for the past 3 years. Joining EnergyNet in November 2015 as Operations Manager, she now takes responsibility for bringing the venues and suppliers together to ensure an enjoyable and successful event experience for all EnergyNet's delegates. She has always had a passion for events, whether it was organising a charity ball or working at the London Olympics. She is always on hand to support the team and all the event sponsors and can be found at the registration desk at most events; so do come and say hello!

Charlotte holds a BA degree in French and International Relations. Outside of work she is always up for an adventure, whether it is cycling from London to Paris or trekking up a mountain to find the best snow to ski. She also enjoys travelling, cooking, sports and spending time with friends.

Verena Lester

Global Operations Director

Vee has worked in event operations for almost 20 years running events in pretty much every continent. No challenge is too big… the bigger the challenge, the bigger the fun of finding the solution to make it happen!

Outside of the busy work life she loves spending as much time as possible with her husband, 2 kids and the crazy dog, enjoying the great outdoors in the countryside, baking, savouring some home cooked food, a good glass of red wine by a cosy log fire!

Nancy Amissah

Operations Executive

Nancy was born and raised in France and moved to London when she was 19 to perfect her English. She studied business administration and events management and has been involved in all types of events from large conferences, sports events to private parties and weddings. Her passion for people is the reason why she loves organising events and ensuring that all guests is well looked after.

Nancy loves travelling, discovering new cultures and planning weddings. During her spare time, Nancy volunteers in her local church by providing interpretation in French.

Jenny Morgan

Credit Controller

Jenny is an experienced event credit control professional working within the events sector for the last year with experience across the energy, genomic medicine and internet retailing.

Jenny officially joined EnergyNet team in August 2016 but started working on our biggest forum AEF from May 2016 as a conference account controller responsible for all delegate, exhibitor and sponsorship invoicing and payments across the business.

Outside of work Jenny enjoys the gym, cooking for friends, drawing and loves her dog!

Laida Iparraguirre

Senior Marketing Executive

Laida joined the EnergyNet team in September 2017, having developed her career in events and consumer marketing during the last 10 years between Madrid and London.

Since joining the EnergyNet family, she has worked on a number of exciting projects in a variety of markets, including the launch of Latin America and Caribbean Gas Conference and Exhibition in Mexico City, different conferences within our LATAM portfolio, as well as meetings across the South and East African regions.

Outside of the busy work life Laida loves spending as much time as possible with her 2 children and her husband, exploring new places, enjoying the great outdoors and picnics across the UK.

Monique Bonnick

Senior Marketing Executive: Partnerships

Hailing from the tropical island of Jamaica, Monique joined the EnergyNet team in January 2016. Prior to joining EnergyNet, Monique was already working in Marketing and Events, that covered a variety of industry sectors, such as Energy, Investment and Finance, Private Equity, Infrastructure, Transport and Public Private Partnerships that focused on the emerging markets of Central, East and Southeast Europe and Turkey.

Monique holds a BA (Hons) in Media and Communication from Goldsmith University of London; currently Monique is completing her master degree in International Marketing (MSc) at Birbeck University of London.

Outside of work, Monique enjoys writing creative fictional and short stories of which she hopes to get published one day. She also enjoys travelling, reading comics, cooking, shopping and more shopping. Most importantly, she has a huge obsession with Japanese Anime films.

Kofi Danso

Customer Happiness Manager

Kofi is a world-traveller from the Ashanti tribe of Ghana. Having had his primary education in Ghana and Israel, Kofi moved to London, when after GCSE’s he made the trek to Pakistan and later back to Africa where he settled at home in Ghana [refusing to come back into the cold of Europe].

Before joining EnergyNet as ‘Customer Happiness Manager’, Kofi worked in market research, IT and then for the last eight years at one of Africa’s leading oil and gas conference companies. As ‘Customer Happiness Manager’, Kofi plays a key role for the business helping us all to learn how we can do more and be better – but most importantly, make your lives easier.

In his spare time (and occasionally at work) Kofi loves to dance and play sport. He’s a keen reader of metaphysics and Chinese and Indian philosophy – so you can bet when he gets round to speaking with you, it’s going to be interesting.

When it comes to sport; football, athletics, marathons and mountain climbing are all on the agenda. A few years back Kofi and a group of friends walked from London to Portsmouth to raise money for victims of land occupation in the Island of Diego Garcia in the Pacific. He also supports an orphanage in Ghana where he helped build dormitories and to buy a bus, as well as organising collections of clothes and school books – however, he’s no ‘angel’!

Karmen Tornius

Assistant Producer

Karmen joined the EnergyNet team just weeks before the 20th anniversary of Africa Energy Forum took place so got a real jumpstart introduction to the company. She is working closely with Africa Director Valeria to deliver exciting programs for regional meetings in Eastern and Southern Africa. Karmen holds a MA in African Studies from SOAS, UK, with a focus on politics and East Africa. She did her BA in social and cultural anthropology, speaks Spanish and has studied Kiswahili.

Karmen has spent a considerable time in different African countries, longer periods in Malawi, Ethiopia, and Tanzania. She has witnessed the kind of rapid changes that affordable solar and off-grid power have brought to people in some of the most remote places and is keen to work towards universal access to modern energy.

In her spare time, she loves traveling and wandering off the beaten track with new friends. Karmen takes every chance she gets to be outdoors, either hiking, jogging or camping somewhere off-grid with a good book and a well-selected playlist.

Max Plumptre

Delegate Coordinator

Max joined EnergyNet in February 2016 and works on the company’s East & Southern Africa portfolios. He graduated from Birmingham University with a degree in Anthropology and History with a specialist focus on West African culture.

Before joining EnergyNet, Max worked in Tanzania on a recruitment-based project where he linked university students with companies in Dar es Salaam and managed career building workshops and seminars. Since then he’s travelled Africa and this year took business development trips Mozambique and South Africa where he has a broad network.

In his personal life, Max enjoys playing football for his local team, Wandsworth Borough FC and dabbles in cooking (back in the day he won the Warburton’s regional bread competition).

Thomas Joannou

Business Development Executive

Thomas joined EnergyNet in March 2017 after having found the perfect commute to work living just a 10 minute walk away from the office. He graduated from Manchester focussing on Economics, Politics and Languages giving him an ideal background and keen interest for specialising in emerging markets and understanding global issues.

Being equally English, French, Greek & Czech, Thomas considers himself very European and is well travelled across the world, something which working with EnergyNet will only compliment.

Outside the office, he has an aptitude for sports, mainly playing football, tennis and enjoying a nice cycle, if the weather permits... Otherwise, he is happy to chill with his friends and family, with a beer in hand and the sun shining.

Greg Sewell

Strategic Director

Greg has been working with EnergyNet for many years with responsibility for change management and advising the business on how to execute strategy. Greg gets involved in all aspects of EnergyNet’s growth through developing people and streamlining processes which he enjoys immensely. He is proud of the team’s commercial and non-commercial performance over these past few years and their passion for improving the customer experience which lies at the heart of everything they do. Greg’s experience comes from his time in senior commercial roles at Virgin, Informa, the BBC and with his role as Group Commercial Director of the broader Clarion group.

Outside of work, Greg is a devoted family man, father to two expensive teenagers and obsessive traveller. Always on the search for the next buzz, he frequently finds this on rollercoasters and in theme parks where he is dragged on an almost annual basis.

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