James M.

Leader responsible for end‑to‑end Energy Programme Management across Microsoft’s EMEA data centre portfolio. Setting direction across power strategy, grid engagement, delivery readiness, commercial structuring, risk management and governance, ensuring energy is planned, approved and executed in a way that is scalable, resilient and commercially sound. My role spans the full energy lifecycle, from early site strategy and power feasibility, through approvals and contracting, to handover into delivery and operations. I work across a complex matrix of internal and external stakeholders, including grid operators, utilities, developers, finance, legal, sustainability and delivery teams, to ensure alignment between strategy and execution. A core focus of my leadership is navigating constrained energy systems: balancing speed, cost, resilience and regulatory requirements while maintaining delivery confidence under increasingly compressed timelines. I regularly support senior leadership with clear, integrated views of energy risk, delivery certainty and trade‑offs, translating technical and market complexity into decision‑ready insight. Scope includes: -EMEA Energy Programme Management leadership -Data centre power and grid strategy -Energy delivery readiness and execution risk -Commercial and contractual structuring of energy solutions -Governance, approvals and senior stakeholder engagement -Building and leading regional energy capability

As Energy Contract Negotiator and Delivery Lead at Microsoft, I not only shape and deliver energy contracting strategy across our EMEA data centre portfolio but also lead critical due diligence on power delivery for leased sites. This involves steering early-stage utility reviews, evaluating grid capacity, substation design, and transmission planning to ensure feasibility and resilience. I provide oversight on power strategy validation, influencing decision making and lease negotiations to align with Microsoft’s growth trajectory and sustainability commitments. Key responsibilities include: – Member of the EMEA Energy leadership team, shaping regional energy strategy – Leading early-phase utility engagement and technical assessments for new data centre developments – Driving strategic reviews of grid interconnection plans, redundancy architecture, and long-term capacity forecasts – Advising senior stakeholders on risk mitigation and investment decisions tied to power delivery timelines – Leading negotiations with lease providers and utilities to secure favourable terms – Overseeing contract delivery and operational handover for energy supply across EMEA – Identifying and mitigating commercial and operational risks in contracting activity - Assessing early stage PPAs and BTM solutions from inception to FID Highlights: – Closed multiple strategic lease and supply contracts, enabling infrastructure expansion and commercial savings – Directed cross-functional due diligence programmes for high-value lease transactions, securing power delivery certainty and accelerating deployment schedules – Instituted governance protocols for utility interface and compliance, reinforcing Microsoft’s leadership in energy resilience across EMEA In this role, I draw on deep expertise in technical evaluation, contract negotiation, relationship management, and energy operations to help power Microsoft’s digital infrastructure with agility and purpose.

As a leader at Inspired Energy I am responsible for producing predictable revenue for my department. I also provide leadership, strategic support and expertise to a large team of specialist account managers. As Head of Specialist Accounts, my focus is on creating a world class account management function with specialisms in x2 specialist sectors, the Public Sector and Data Centres. In this way, we are able to fully focus and understand the challenges these diverse but critical sectors face. I’m particularly interested in the part the energy industry can play in delivering Social Value across the Public Sector. With the NHS net-zero ambitions ramping up in the form of Green Plans, it’s an exciting time to be an energy professional working with Public Sector organisations. When it comes to Data Centre’s, the European Data Centre Association’s launch of the Climate Neutral Data Centre Pact, this large user of power will come under increased scrutiny and pressure to lessen their impact on the world’s resources. The challenge for this sector is significant. Although the last 20 years or so have seen major efficiency improvements, predictions suggest these may be coming to an end. As a result of market growth and diminishing returns from existing approaches to efficiency improvements some predict that data centre energy usage will double by 2030. If electricity continues to be a major source of data center energy and is generated from non-renewable sources, data center emissions could exceed the aviation industry which is currently responsible for 2% of annual human-generated CO2. I’m immensely proud to support both sectors in addressing their energy related challenges as well as their sustainability journey. Indeed, as the COVID-19 pandemic has brought starkly into focus, both the Public Sector and the digital infrastructure Data Centre’s provide, has kept the world moving.

As a Director with the E&CM business (part of Inspired Energy PLC), my focus is on the largest most complex global accounts. I coordinate service delivery, sales and operations for my revenue area. Along with my fellow directors, as part of the senior leadership team, I am responsible for determining the strategic direction of our business.

As an Account Director for amber energy, I led the Relationship Managers in the West team.. Our Relationship Managers work with our technical teams to provide a truly bespoke energy strategy.

I coach, manage and develop a team of highly capable corporate account directors and technical staff such as energy services professionals. I have led through a period of significant change to the business with focus on transforming our propositions into more dynamic, technologically driven offerings. In this way, we are better placed to help our client's tackle rising non-procurement costs. Key Responsibilities •I am the voice of the account management function, working closely with the Managing Director to redesign the customer journey, experience and retention strategies. I am also heavily involved in developing and launching cutting edge, market-leading propositions •I coach and develop a highly diverse team consisting of experienced team members with many years of experience to apprentice level people taking their first steps in their career •I lead by example, defining what it is to be a truly client focussed relationship builder. My customer focus is instinctual, and I strive to instil the same priorities in my people •My team have been highly successful, having exceeded the annual revenue expansion figure by 20% with a further 4 months before the end of the financial year.

As Account Director, I manage all aspects of our service to clients, whilst acting as the key contact for all of their energy related queries. I am responsible for coordinating our specialists in Fixed and Flex Procurement, Risk Management, Market Intelligence, Bill Validation, Monitoring and Targeting, and Account Management. I support on a variety of areas from supplier terms and conditions, to Take or Pay advice and credit arrangements. I also attend regular review meetings to discuss our performance and whether the current trading strategy is still meeting our clients requirements.

Inenco are a leading energy consultancy offering a complete energy solution. Every month Inenco process and validate over 80,000 invoices and manage over 60,000 meter sites in 17 countries. Inenco's FCA traders have nearly £3.4 billion worth of energy currently under management. Energy is a complex and politically charged issue. The rapidly changing face of the UK energy industry with its seemingly ever-changing legislation can be difficult for businesses to negotiate. It is my job to make my clients aware of, and prepare them for, the changes that will impact them. My focus is in the Manufacturing and Agriculture Sector. In operating in this way, I am better able to address the specific priorities of this energy intensive sector. My clients are based nationally and spend millions of pounds a year on their energy. I manage my accounts by building relationships with my clients through quality service delivery, management of issues, regular communication and effective expectation setting. I assess my clients attitude to risk, and assist them in agreeing suitable energy procurement strategies aligned with their specific needs. To that end, I support my clients with their wholesale energy trading decisions by monitoring the energy markets. Once trading decisions have been made, I conduct regular reviews on strategy performance. I can also assist in producing a bespoke energy reduction programme, manage Climate Change Agreements (CCAs), Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC), European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) and emerging compliance requirements, such as Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions reporting.

I was tasked to maintain and grow a portfolio of SME accounts. This was achieved by focusing on challenging sales and service targets Maintained and grew a portfolio of over 100 SME business accounts Became an ‘Energy Expert’, whose goal was to understand the market fully, and advise the client on their energy requirements Ensured contracts were renewed in a timely and professional manner and that the tender process was smooth and accurate Increased the product holding of each customer by cross-selling through pro-active customer relationship management I successfully negotiated contracts by understanding the concerns of my clients and allaying their fears by demonstrating expert knowledge and commitment to their needs Built successful, long-lasting relationships at all levels in a highly competitive and targeted environment