Networks Insights
We work with networks to solve complex problems with clarity and momentum. Whether it’s regulation, resilience or operations, our job is to help clients get to better, faster - and deliver real outcomes on the ground.
Mark Hewett
Director
INSIGHTS
Navigating the Future of Utility Infrastructure
The UK’s utility networks are navigating a period of significant change. From reinforcing electricity grids for net zero to updating ageing gas and water assets, operators are focused on much more than basic maintenance. We’re seeing a landscape shaped by evolving regulation and rising customer expectations, all within a tightening financial environment.
At BFY, our team brings practical operational and strategic experience to the networks sector. We’ve worked inside operators and alongside regulators, helping our clients manage these complexities to improve performance and long term resilience. Our insights explore the core challenges currently facing the sector:
- How can network operators balance investment requirements with the need for operational efficiency?
- What’s required to navigate price controls and regulatory frameworks with confidence?
- How can data driven asset management improve reliability and manage long term costs?
- How do we evolve customer experience to meet modern expectations and deliver social value?
INSIGHTS
Networks Insights
Six ways operational excellence creates value for energy networks
Operational excellence is more than a cost programme. Done well, it creates six forms of value: sustainable expenditure reduction, better customer outcomes, stronger workforce productivity, faster change adoption, improved asset decisions and greater regulatory resilience.
Leadership webinar key takeaways
Five leaders from across the energy industry joined our latest webinar to share what they’ve learned about leading through change. We’ve pulled together their advice on managing risk, developing as a leader and learning from other sectors.
Three ways energy networks can find efficiency savings year after year
Sustained productivity will not come from isolated projects. The greatest opportunities lie in connecting field service, asset management and customer operations into one end-to-end value chain, supported by the right data, governance and leadership.
The new efficiency imperative
Productivity is now part of the regulatory settlement for energy networks. This first article in our series explores what that means in practice, and how leaders can build the capability to keep improving year after year.
The Future of Multi-Utilities: Yes, We’ve Invested in Digital. And Now What?
Most multi-utilities have already started investing significantly in their digital foundations. Now, the challenge is ensuring those investments are genuinely reducing complexity and improving scalability.
Avoiding the BAU bottleneck of turning innovation into implementation
Networks are funding more innovation than ever, but much of it stalls before it reaches everyday operations. We look at why, and what the new SIF Deployment funding stream signals for networks ready to close that gap.
Breaking down silos: from fragmented governance to a mission-focused energy system
In this article we focus in on the second key enabler to redesigning the energy system: Breaking down the silos. In Part 2, we delved into Digitalisation at Scale as a key enabler.
Digital leadership in networks: what’s required to close the commitment–delivery gap
If your regulator asked you today to walk them through the connection between your digital investment portfolio and the operational outcomes you have committed to, how confident would you be? Not in the narrative. In the evidence. Not in the next price control, but right now.
Reimagining the Energy System Part 2: Making Digitalisation a Core Capability
To rapidly, and sustainably, deliver future-proof networks we need to embrace, and exploit digitalisation, in all its forms, across the energy sector. Three themes stand out for us.
Why digital investment isn't hitting the mark for regulated networks
Networks are investing billions in digital transformation, but how much of that investment is translating into operational performance and delivery confidence?
Why ‘Right Side Up’ innovation wins NIA and SIF funding
A practical guide to why network innovation proposals succeed or fail, and how innovators can better align NIA and SIF applications to the operational realities, customer needs, and priorities of individual networks.
Reimagining the energy system: first-principle design choices for future networks
We spend a lot of time in the energy sector talking about improvement: faster connections; smarter grid management; more efficient price controls. These conversations matter. But they all share a common assumption, that the system and structure we're working with is suitable. We're not sure it is.
Networks
Meet The Team
Mark Hewett
Director
Mark leads transformational change for UK energy and utility companies. His mission is to accelerate their journey to Net Zero, delivering on the promise of the energy transition and creating value for their customers, shareholders, and society across the energy value chain.
Chris Thoms
Client Director
Chris partners with clients to operationalise their business strategy into a coherent and optimised change portfolio, by leveraging best practice P3MO approaches and frameworks.
David Watson
Principal
As Principal at BFY, David leads client engagements on energy strategy, policy and commercial excellence, helping them to navigate a complex policy and regulatory landscape, capitalise on emerging opportunities in the energy transition and optimise their operating models for long-term success.
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