HELEN K THOMAS
Addiscombe,UK
Summary
Accomplished professional with expertise in relationship and stakeholder management, commercial, supply chain and business development. Demonstrates strong leadership skills and a comprehensive understanding of the whole energy system. Experience with providing legal and contractual support whilst practicing innovative thinking and driving business development initiatives. Committed to leveraging skills for strategic growth and innovation in dynamic environments.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work history
Commercial Development Manager
RWE Renewables
London
03.2026 - Current
- Commercial stewardship of UK offshore projects during development and construction
- Lead on the preservation, creation, maintenance and assurance of the contractual and legal integrity of RWE's projects
- Support Senior Management Team (SMT) to originate and evaluate new development opportunities
- Maintain and assure legal completeness and compliance
- Collect and analyse intelligence on competitor strategies
- Strong relationship management (external and internal)
- Lead on specific topics including: TCE Agreements for Lease and step-through processes, crossing agreements, securities processes, legal reviews/drafting, tendering support and general commercial guidance
Team Lead for Supply Chain Development, Offshore Wind Development, UK Ireland
RWE Renewables
London
04.2022 - 03.2026
- Led team of eight staff members with responsibility for securing auction eligibility for projects within RWE’s development portfolio, delivering on supply chain policy requirements (The UK Clean Industry Bonus and the Irish ORESS PDP)
- Supply chain mapping and intelligence gathering
- Involvement in shaping UK Government policies, industry-level plans and initiatives
- Driving continuous improvements to supplier engagement approaches at the RWE and industry levels
Various Prior Roles
RWE Renewables
London/Swindon
11.2018 - 04.2022
- Senior Stakeholder Manager
- Public Affairs Manager
- Consents Manager
Policy, Networks and Operations Manager
Energy UK
London
04.2017 - 11.2018
- Represented the views of Energy UK’s supplier members to Government and Ofgem
- Consultation responses and member advise on a range of issues relating to energy system policy and regulation topics (e.g. networks, billing, smart)
- Worked with Smart Energy GB to help deliver the smart meter rollout
- Additional areas of work included: ‘The Billing Code’, Complaints Process and Customer Communications
Executive Analyst, Imperial College London
Energy Research Partnership (ERP) (UKERC)
London
01.2012 - 04.2017
- Desk-based data analysis on a range of energy issues as identified by ERP Membership
- Contributed to a range of publications including: Managing Flexibility, Grid Services, Public Engagement in the Energy System, International Engagement and Barriers to Whole System Energy Storage
- Led project reporting and monitoring processes
- Office operations for team of six: management of internal office operations, organisation of content and logistics for quarterly plenary meetings and other larger events
- Managed budgets and financial reporting processes
- Communication processes including management of ERP’s external relationships with board-level members and wider stakeholders, communications strategies and website content / design
Various Prior Roles
Cancer Research UK
London
01.2004 - 01.2012
- Senior Environment, Sustainability & Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) Manager
- Event management
- Executive Assistant / Personal Assistance
Education
MSc - Renewable Energy, Sustainability and Technology
University of Reading
2:1 - Climate Change and Environmental Management
Birkbeck, University of London
GCSEs -
Langley Park School for Girls
KentSkills
- Relationship and Stakeholder Management
- Commercial Development and support
- Supply Chain Development and Procurement
- Legal and contractual support
- Business Development
- Whole Energy System Knowledge
- Leadership Skills
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS
- Adviser to Offshore Wind Centre of Excellence PROPEL Ireland
- Co Chair of The Offshore Energy Alliance Cluster
- Renewable UK Future Leader Award Winner 2022
- Renewable UK Shadow Board 2021-2023
- Chair of OWIC Supply Chain Working Group
Affiliations
- Music
- Travel and the outdoors
- Reading
Timeline
Commercial Development Manager
RWE Renewables
03.2026 - Current
Team Lead for Supply Chain Development, Offshore Wind Development, UK Ireland
RWE Renewables
04.2022 - 03.2026
Various Prior Roles
RWE Renewables
11.2018 - 04.2022
Policy, Networks and Operations Manager
Energy UK
04.2017 - 11.2018
Executive Analyst, Imperial College London
Energy Research Partnership (ERP) (UKERC)
01.2012 - 04.2017
Various Prior Roles
Cancer Research UK
01.2004 - 01.2012
MSc - Renewable Energy, Sustainability and Technology
University of Reading
2:1 - Climate Change and Environmental Management
Birkbeck, University of London
GCSEs -
Langley Park School for Girls