With a career defined by leading through adversity, breaking barriers and driving transformation, Monica Collings OBE is an award-winning leader who speaks candidly about leadership resilience, navigating volatility and championing consumer rights in an era of upheaval and uncertainty.
As a Board Chair and Non-Executive Director, Monica brings the same directness to the boardroom that built her reputation in the C-suite - unafraid to ask the difficult question, hold executive teams to account, and back bold strategic decisions when the evidence supports them. Her portfolio spans regulated utilities, PE-backed growth businesses and purpose-led organisations, including chairing the Electricity Markets Advisory Council at NESO and the board of Rappor, a non-executive role at Adler & Allan, an independent committee position at Northern Powergrid, and pro bono chairing POWERful Women - bringing deep sector expertise, governance rigour and a genuine commitment to developing the next generation of leaders into every boardroom she sits in.
A dynamic voice on women in leadership, Monica held CEO roles at multiple major UK retail energy companies, including being the sole woman to hold the top job during the energy crisis.
Monica combines deep expertise in energy policy, market dynamics and fuel poverty with a passion for equitable change. Her sharp insights make her a sought-after speaker, media commentator and board advisor, leveraging her extensive network and hands-on experience to shape the future of energy.
Formerly as Chief Executive of So Energy and ESB Energy, Monica steered the businesses through the unprecedented challenges of the COVID pandemic and the UK energy crisis. With over 35 suppliers exiting the market and significant financial pressures across the sector, she led the business through the final stages of a strategic merger critical to ensuring long-term viability - restructuring support systems, introducing agile decision-making, and working intensively with government, regulators and stakeholders to safeguard customers, particularly those facing financial hardship. Under her leadership, the business returned to profitability post-crisis and developed new propositions in emerging technologies such as solar and battery storage.
Earlier, at Vattenfall's UK subsidiary iSupplyEnergy, Monica led the divestment of the £120m turnover business, migrating more than 160,000 customer contracts to EDF while exceeding business plan targets.
Having overcome personal challenges as a single mother, including redundancy during maternity leave and early perimenopause, Monica champions authenticity and inclusivity as the foundation for high-performing organisations. She was awarded the Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the King's Birthday Honours 2025, invested by Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, in recognition of her leadership and contribution to inclusivity in the UK energy sector, and has represented the UK as a UN Delegate at the Commission on the Status of Women.
