Over the coming years, the South-West has the potential of over £30bn in inward investment into energy transition across the likes of Floating Offshore Wind, Carbon Capture, Battery Storage, Hydrogen and Tidal.

We have, therefore, a critical role to play in energy security for the UK and also a huge opportunity to create long-term, well-paid, sustainable jobs.

It will take education and industry to work in lock-step to realise this potential, and government will have a key role not just in helping to fund or pump-prime some of these opportunities but in appropriate barrier-busting too.

Our conference will discuss these projects and the role of the supply-chain, government and funders.

We are delighted to announce that our keynote speaker will be Sam Leistner, Head of Investment Strategy at Great British Energy, where he leads the development of the organisation’s short- and long-term investment strategy and the building of its initial investment capability. Prior to joining GBE, he was Head of Renewable Electricity Strategy at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, where he led strategic work on accelerating the deployment of renewable electricity technologies. Before working for the UK Government, he has served as a senior strategic adviser to public institutions and development banks focusing on sustainable finance, climate policy, and clean energy investment.

The conference will be compered by SWBC Board Member, Justin Olosunde, Senior Funding & Investment Manager at West of England Mayoral Combined Authority.

Conference Details:

Date: Tuesday, 23rd September 2025

Location: The Rolle Marquee, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, Devon, PL4 8AA.

Time: 08:30 - 14:00

Logistics:

Rolle Plaza Marquee is in the centre of the campus. The University campus is a 10-minute walk from Plymouth Train Station. There is no parking onsite, except for blue badge holders (please notify us in advance). There are various pay-and-display options within a 5-10 minute walk, including Drake Circus and Regent Street car parks.

Agenda:

08:30 - 09:00 - Registration and arrival refreshments.

09:00 - 09:05 - Welcome address by SWBC CEO, Paul Coles.

09:05 - 09:15 - "Welcome to the University of Plymouth", VC Richard Davies.

09:15 - 09:40 - "The role of GB Energy", Sam Leistner, Head of Investment Strategy, Great British Energy.

09:40 - 10:05 - " Capturing the growth and job opportunities of the Clean Energy Superpower Mission", Hugo Jones, Deputy Director, Industrial Strategy & Office for Clean Energy Jobs.

10:05 - 10:45 - Panel Session 1: "Energy Transition: the opportunities for UK Plc". Chaired by VC Davies. Panellists to include: Tim Stiven, The Crown Estate, Claire Pearce, Real Growth, Rich Oldfield, NCC. Rhi Griffith, SevernNet, Bridget Hartley, NESO.

10:45 - 11:05 - Refreshment Break.

11:05 - 11:30 - "More well-being with less energy", Dr Souran Chatterjee, Lecturer in Energy Transitions, University of Plymouth.

11:30 - 12:10 - Panel Session 2: " What is the investment looking for when it comes to scale infrastructure projects?" Chaired by Dr. Christine Allison, Rebecca Jarrett, National Wealth Fund, Nick Dixon, Avon Pension Fund, Mark Gayler, Devon County Council.

12:10 - 12:30 - Conference summary and close, Paul Coles, SWBC and Jon Shaw, University of Plymouth.

12:30 - 14:00 Networking Lunch.

Investing in Energy Transition