The Gas Industry Awards 2026 Judges
Stewart Clements
Darren Elsom IEng FIGEM
Nicola Evans CEng MIGEM
Chris Gorman CEng HonFIGEM
Debbie Mitchell
Stewart Clements is the Director of the Heating and Hotwater Industry Council. The HHIC are the Trade Association that represents the whole of the domestic heating market in the UK. The role of the HHIC is to inform members on relevant policy issues and developments and respond to consultations on their behalf. Inform and influence Government and the European Union on policies and legislation. Participate in relevant political events and All-Party Groups and provide a unified representation for the UK domestic heating industry.
Stewart was the previous Technical Director at HHIC. Stewart also sits on the Executive Council of the EHI (European Heating Industry) and has been involved with the heating and plumbing industry for over 35 years and prior to HHIC Stewart held senior roles within Rettig UK and Ariston.
Darren is a highly respected senior leader in the energy sector with over 30 years’ experience. Currently Chief Operating Officer at SGN, Darren oversees operations, engineering, asset management and customer service in Southern England, Scotland and the West of Northern Ireland.
Darren started his career as an apprentice service engineer with British Gas Eastern and has held a number of senior roles in National Grid including Head of Network Engineering & Strategy for the National Transmission System and Head of Network Maintenance for four gas distribution networks, delivering maintenance and capital projects. Darren was also Network Director for Cadent’s Eastern region covering East Midlands and East of England and led Cadent’s future energy development with major projects such as HyNet and East Coast Hydrogen and energy connections including biomethane, power generation, industry, and CNG for transport.
Nicola brings over 35 years of industry experience to the role, having begun her career as an apprentice gas service engineer with British Gas. She is a Chartered Engineer of IGEM and has held key operational and strategic positions at organisations including Transco, National Grid, Wales & West Utilities, Bristol Water, Penspen, and currently Skewb.
Now serving as Director of Gas Transition & Futures at Skewb, she leads a diverse portfolio that delivers specialist services and software solutions to the gas industry. Her expertise spans Network Operations and Strategy, Asset Management, and Regulatory Affairs.
As a long-standing IGEM member and active volunteer, Nicola has contributed to several committees and is particularly passionate about her involvement with IGEM’s Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Advisory Group. She also serves as a Director at Future Energy Networks (FEN).
Debbie’s passion is to support people and organisations to be the best they can be. With a career spanning over 30 years in the energy industry, Debbie currently works as Director of Utility Networks for the Energy and Utilities Alliance (EUA).
Prior to EUA, Debbie has held numerous senior leadership positions within Transco, National Grid and Cadent. Debbie has a broad and varied background of success within operational, stakeholder engagement and strategic leadership roles including running the National gas emergency service for the UK and Northern Ireland.
Eur Ing Robert J Murray BEng(Hons) MBA CEng FIGEM FInstLM FSOE FIPlantE MIED is a twice Past President of the EUA, Past President and Fellow of IGEM, Past National Chairman of the Pipeline Industries Guild and has just completed 50 years in the Gas and Utilities Industries.
Bob has held Director Positions with Transco/National Grid, the Inexus Group, Skanska and a Global Consultancy. His current role with Skewb UK is as a Special Advisor and previously Managing Director for Industry, Communities and CSR. He refers to Skewb as his dream career role and the one worth waiting for.
The Chair of the Gas Industry Safety Group (GISG) Board and an advocate and role model for Heath, Safety, Sustainability, Environment and Well-being.
He business and career mentors Engineering Graduates and Managers for a number of UK Major Companies.
One the most rewarding aspects of his career is being blessed to be able to mentor IGEM and other Professional Engineering Institutions members for Professional Registration for CEng, IEng and Eng Tech.
He was awarded IGEM’s Birmingham Medal for his work on Professional Registration Mentoring.