How we deliver innovation at NGN
Innovation at NGN is led by a team focused on solving problems, improving services and preparing for the future. But innovation isn't limited to one team. We build it into everyday work across the business.
We use innovation to make services better for customers, run our network more efficiently and reduce our impact on the environment. It also helps us make progress towards a lower carbon future while keeping gas safe, reliable and affordable.
Meet the team
Paul Chapman
Head of Innovation Strategy pchapman@northerngas.co.uk
Lewis Kirkwood
Innovation Manager lkirkwood@northerngas.co.uk
Steven Dacre
Vulnerability Innovation Lead sdacre@northerngas.co.uk
Jamie Lacey
Innovation Assistant Manager jlacey@northerngas.co.uk
Zenab Ali
Portfolio and Governance Manager zali@northerngas.co.uk
We focus on work that leads to real, measurable improvements.
Over RIIO-GD2, our innovation activity is expected to deliver more than £15 million in benefits for customers. That includes significant knowledge gains, service improvements and preparedness for an energy system of the future.
We also look beyond financial impact. Many of our projects deliver wider value, such as increasing the volume of green gas onto our network, reducing emissions, improving safety, and supporting customers who may need extra help.
Working with others to move faster
We don’t solve challenges alone. We work with innovators, SMEs, universities and utilities to bring in new thinking and specialist skills, helping us test and scale ideas faster.
Through forums such as the Gas Innovation Governance Group (GIGG), we collaborate with other gas networks to identify opportunities, make best use of innovation funding, avoid duplication and scale successful ideas across the sector.
Through the Gas Network Innovation Strategy and cross-network, whole-system projects, we partner with gas and electricity networks, technology providers, academics and policymakers to develop solutions for the wider energy system.
We share progress and outcomes via Future Energy Networks (FEN) and Energy Networks Association (ENA) portals, our Annual Innovation Summary and industry events such as Innovation Zero, Utility Week Live and the Energy Innovation Summit, helping others learn, build on evidence and form new partnerships.
Communication between the networks ensures we avoid unnecessary duplication, collaborate on projects, openly share successes and lessons learned, strengthen the innovation community and deliver greater value for customers, networks and the wider energy sector.
We work with the Energy Innovation Centre (EIC) to accelerate innovation that supports our customers and the energy transition. Through the EIC Partnership, we actively seek feedback from innovators, giving them a collective voice and helping shape the Partnership’s strategic priorities. All EIC Partnership activities are open to collaboration and designed to avoid duplication.
We continue to engage with our Independent Stakeholder Group, which holds us accountable for our business plan outputs and commitments. Its rigorous oversight and challenge help ensure we deliver innovation priorities that reflect stakeholder and customer needs while providing value for money.
