At EDF, we believe that diversity drives innovation and success. Partnering with Women in Data® allows us to support and empower women in a field that is shaping the future of energy and sustainability. By collaborating, we aim to foster inclusivity, promote gender equality, and tap into the vast potential of diverse data talent. This partnership aligns with our commitment to building a more innovative, data-driven future while ensuring that women play a central role in transforming the energy industry for the better.
Over the next five years, EDF Energy envisions the UK’s data landscape evolving rapidly, with data becoming central to the transformation of the energy sector. The company expects an increase in the use of big data, AI, and machine learning to predict energy consumption patterns. AI agents will assist, augment, and automate processes to enable faster support and optimize the balance between supply and demand. Real-time data from smart grids, homes, and industrial sources will be leveraged to create more efficient, low-carbon energy solutions.
EDF anticipates a shift towards more decentralized energy systems, where households and businesses generate their own energy and feed surplus back into the grid. This shift will require more advanced data management systems to coordinate local energy production and consumption. Furthermore, with the rise of electric vehicles and battery storage, the need for seamless data integration across different sectors will grow. Data has the potential, through half-hourly settlements, to revolutionize the accuracy with which we can hedge and forecast energy in the market, allowing energy suppliers to offer innovative products and time-of-use tariffs. As data becomes more open and marketplace-driven, EDF predicts stricter data and AI governance frameworks to ensure security and privacy, especially with the increasing reliance on customer-specific data. In this changing landscape, EDF believes data will enable smarter energy use, support innovation, and drive the UK’s path to carbon neutrality.
EDF Group in the UK is a key player in the nation’s energy market, focused on delivering low-carbon electricity through a mix of nuclear, renewable, and gas power generation. As part of the larger EDF Group, the UK branch operates eight nuclear power stations, providing a significant portion of the country’s electricity while contributing to carbon reduction targets. EDF Group in the UK also invests heavily in renewable energy projects, such as wind and solar, and plays a leading role in innovation and digital transformation to improve energy efficiency, support electric vehicle adoption, and advance the UK’s net-zero goals.
BSc Computer engineering
MSc AI and applications
https://www.linkedin.com/in/reyam-enad/
If I weren’t an AI and Data Scientist, I honestly have no idea what I’d be. My journey into technology feels as if it started as far back as I can remember. As a kid, I was the one constantly trying to fix every broken electronic toy I came across. They didn’t always work when I was done, but the process fascinated me. My family and friends started saying early on that I was destined for a career in engineering or science.
My path into tech wasn’t by chance it was planned from the beginning. I chose to study Computer Engineering, knowing that technology would be the world I’d build my future in. But my journey wasn’t always straightforward. As an immigrant moving between countries, I faced my fair share of challenges. Many times, I took unpaid roles in software engineering just to keep my skills fresh. I knew that if I stepped away from coding, I’d risk losing the edge I’d worked so hard to build.
Then, in 2016, everything changed when I saw Sophia, the world’s first humanoid robot. I was captivated; it felt like a calling. Robotics and AI were relatively unknown in Jordan, so I made the big decision to move to the UK and pursue a master’s degree in AI. I graduated in 2020 and have been captivated by the field ever since.
Outside of my professional work, I’m the founder of a school offering free courses in tech to women. Through this initiative, I teach subjects ranging from computer science and web development to data analysis and cybersecurity. Empowering women in tech has become one of my greatest passions, and I’m excited to see more women joining the field every day.
Now, I’m the Lead Data Scientist at EDF, where I guide an incredible team of data scientists as we tackle some of the most exciting challenges in energy tech. In my role, I not only drive data initiatives but also work to create an inclusive and supportive workplace. Believing strongly in supporting women in data and tech, I led the initiative to partner our workplace with “Women in Data”. This partnership has allowed me to bring my whole self to work, combining my passion for innovation with a commitment to fostering diversity in tech.
It’s fulfilling to build both the technology and the culture that make our work meaningful and impactful every day.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beverlymanz/
Expertise: Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Model Development, Data Science, Automation, Large Language Models, Natural Language Processing
Education: Distinction – Master of Arts: Music and Sonic Media
My story is one of ambition, adaptability, and perseverance. From starting a clothing brand and winning graphic design competitions at a young age, I have always been a self-starter with a creative mindset. By the time I finished university, this led me to an initial career in the arts and entertainment industry. However, in every project, I found myself drawn to technology—I built my own sensors, machines, and programmed software to create interactive sound exhibitions with a purpose, primarily to raise awareness about climate change and environmental impact.
After three years in the music industry, I moved into office-based work due to the challenges of a negative working environment, especially in touring and events for women. Drawn to the energy industry, I found alignment with my passion for creating technology for socially impactful solutions. My broad background allows me to approach data science with creativity, empathy, and a unique perspective. My experiences in the music industry have strengthened my commitment to mentoring and supporting underrepresented individuals as they enter traditionally male-dominated fields. As chair of the Women+ in Data & Tech network, I aim to do just that—and more—to empower them to thrive and succeed, fostering a more inclusive environment for future generations.
As a Data Scientist at EDF Energy, I’m dedicated to creating AI solutions to drive meaningful change across diverse sectors—from Nuclear and Renewables to Retail and Technical Services. My work centres on designing AI-driven solutions that help solve complex challenges within EDF, with a current focus on exploring in-house large language models (LLMs) to deliver more personalized and efficient customer experiences. Alongside smaller predictive models for early complaint detection, topic classifiers and named entity recognition for contact channel routing and causation. This work was recently recognized with two prestigious awards from DataIQ: the Transformation with Data & AI award and the Grand Prix, both of which highlight my contributions to AI innovation in the energy sector.
Outside of work, am vice president of Sussex Australian Rules Football Club and AFL London Secretary, over the last year I helped launch AFL Youth sessions in Sussex with secured funding from AFL Europe. My love for tech and AFL is also rivalled by my love for moths and photography, having spent four years supporting the community science organization I Naturalist (backed by AI image classification) by identifying over 1000 species.
Sound Exhibitions: https://beverlymanz.wordpress.com/projects
Community Science Observations: https://uk.inaturalist.org/observations?place_id=any&user_id=beverlymanz
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sanaa-zahhari/
With a decade of experience in the energy sector, I started my career in France, where I led the development of data science and AI to monitor the electricity distribution network. I now lead a team of data experts at EDF UK, focusing on developing advanced analytical tools to improve commercial performance for the residential and small business segments. I am deeply passionate about data and advanced AI, and am committed to harnessing these technologies to support the net-zero ambition and drive positive change towards a more sustainable world.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodie-kovacs-93051719/
Embracing the Journey: My Path into Tech and Cloud Innovation
I didn’t set out to build a career in technology, but like so many in this field, my journey took an unexpected yet fulfilling turn. My tech career began in 2005 when I joined a large-scale transformation program working with SAP. At the time, I saw it as a new challenge, and I quickly discovered a passion for problem-solving and innovation. I was a curious learner and naturally gravitated towards understanding the deeper, more technical aspects of what we were building.
Starting as a functional business architect, I learned how technology could drive business transformation, and this role laid the groundwork for my journey. Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to work on a wide variety of projects, from several major transformation programs that spanned years to smaller initiatives, each with its own set of challenges and rewards. These experiences taught me resilience, adaptability, and the importance of strategic vision.
A pivotal milestone in my career arrived in 2015 when we began our journey into cloud computing, specifically with AWS. For me, cloud was like a breath of fresh air, a new frontier that felt like it put me on a level playing field with my peers. We were all exploring it together, regardless of past experience, and it was exciting to be part of something so transformative. Working with AWS has been instrumental in my growth, offering a wealth of resources, support, and learning opportunities—not just for me but also for my colleagues. It’s rewarding to witness how cloud technologies can empower teams and streamline processes, ultimately making a real difference for our customers.
Today, as a solution architect at EDF Energy, I continue to leverage the skills and insights I’ve gathered throughout my career. My role allows me to blend strategy and innovation, designing solutions that align with our business goals while embracing the latest technological advancements. Technology is an ever-evolving field, and that’s one of the aspects I love most—it’s dynamic, challenging, and full of opportunities to learn and grow.
Looking back, my path into tech wasn’t planned, but I couldn’t imagine it any other way. Embracing each new challenge and change has defined my journey, and I’m excited to see where the road ahead will lead.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-vickery/
From a young age, I had a keen interest in science, driven by a curiosity to better understand the world around me. This led to gaining a degree in Molecular Biology and spending some time working as a Research Scientist studying plant cell genomics at the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew. After a brief time working in Front End Web Development, my first introduction to programming, I began my career in data in 2007 leading the development of the first Web Analytics capability for a digital travel retailer. I would spend the next few years developing skills in data analysis, data engineering, data science and machine learning. I joined EDF in 2021 as a Data Scientist bringing with me a diverse range of data skills and experience along with a strong desire to make a positive impact on the world around me through data. Working as a Data Scientist at EDF I have been able to use data to solve a variety of customer-facing problems. A particular highlight has been using data to develop a series of products that help customers to shift their energy usage away from peak times leading to both a reduction in energy bills and carbon emissions. EDF is also where I began my leadership journey. After joining the organisation, I was quickly promoted to Lead Data Scientist and recently moved into a Senior Leadership position. My current role is Senior Leader of Customer Insight. Here I lead a team of data analysts and engineers who develop advanced analytics solutions to help EDF better match our products and propositions with the right customer audiences. At EDF, I have also played an active role in helping to increase diversity in data roles both inside and outside the organisation. I founded and chair our Data & Tech brand. The EDF Data and Tech brand is a team of EDF employees who share our work in data and technology through a blog publication and LinkedIn community page. The brand has helped to significantly increase the diversity of our teams – our data science team’s gender diversity increased from 10% to 40% female representation following the introduction of the brand. Outside of my day job, I’m committed to increasing the impact that I can have with Data Science. I’m an active member of the Data Science community, having written over 100 blog posts on Medium.com. In my blog, I share tips, advice and tutorials from my own Data Science and leadership journey hoping to help others as they progress their careers.
Expertise: Scalable data solutions for analytics transformation
Education: AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate, GCP Associate Cloud Engineer, BSc in Chemistry with Management
Cici is a Data Engineer at EDF, recognized for her pivotal role in adopting a modern data platform within EDF’s Wholesale Market Services (WMS), and as a role model for women in technology. Her work has allowed analysts to focus on innovative, value-adding tasks, supporting Britain’s journey towards a sustainable energy future.
Cici’s impact extends beyond EDF; she volunteers with Code Your Future, providing digital skills training to refugees and underrepresented communities in the data and technology sector. She has also been instrumental in developing EDF’s data and technology brand, enhancing recruitment diversity across the company. Recently, Cici has presented at major industry events, speaking on topics such as advancing data transformation projects, effectively communicating technical concepts to non-technical audiences, and sharing insights on her team’s data capability journey.
Education: BSc Geography
https://www.linkedin.com/in/siobhan-waldron-ab6a97270/
Talk about a squiggly career! Upon leaving university I went travelling around the world for a year, upon returning I began an exciting career in the Ministry of Defence. It was here I honed my skills for threat intelligence and the collection process. I began to understand the broader threat landscape and the actors that played their part to disrupt our way of life in the UK. 16+ years later, I needed a new challenge and discovered my skill set fit well with the cyber security world.
My role has opened many doors, opportunities, and experiences for my personal and professional growth. Currently, I am responsible for communicating cyber threats across the organisation through data collection and analysis, sustaining a community of practice and developing strategies and policies.
I have a passion for equality, diversity, and inclusion and for being a role-model for women in cyber and data.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-read-0a761936/
Expertise: Building high performing teams that maximise value extraction from data solutions
Education: TOGAF Certified Architect, Oracle Certified Associate, SCRUM Alliance Certified Product Owner.
Over the past decade, I’ve had the privilege of building and leading data-driven teams across various industries, all with a core focus on leveraging data to deliver tangible business value. I’m a seasoned data leader, with a strong background in data platforms, cloud technology and data strategy. In previous roles, I have led data teams at a major BPO and headed up the data architecture function at a financial services company.
At EDF UK, I have led the EDF UK Customers business migration to AWS/Snowflake and have led numerous large scale data transformation programmes. I promote a less is more tech strategy and am focussed on ROI and driving reusability wherever possible.
I’m deeply committed to driving diversity within tech, which I champion through my involvement in the EDF UK data and tech steering group. I’m fully supportive of initiatives such as early careers programmes that help develop and nurture talent. I passionately believe that the gender disparity in roles such as a tech and engineering needs to be addressed and it’s on all leaders to create a culture and environment where talent can flourish.
In the data landscape, I believe that data is more interconnected than ever and the ability to share data between producers and consumers is vital to drive innovation. As we advance in this data marketplace era, I’m excited to continue building strategies that use technological transformation to drive real-world impact. And of course, developing talent that enable value to be extracted from data and drive an innovative data culture.
Expertise: Driving AI initiatives into operational business applications
Education: Applied Science, 25 years in data innovation
https://www.linkedin.com/in/owen-eszeki/
My adventure into the world of AI began in the mid-90s, pre-internet, as a Geographical Information Systems Analyst for the Australian Government. I quickly realized the immense value of data accuracy and cleanliness. Hungry for more challenges, I moved into the vibrant world of publishing at Lonely Planet Publications. Here, I understood the critical importance of project deliveries, cost efficiency vs. accuracy and digital publishing, witnessing the dawn of Google Maps and its transformative effect on the industry where I learnt that I would, where possible need to be at the forefront of data technology. Fuelled by my passion for exploration, I sold everything and travelled the world, eventually landing in the UK. My freelancing days were filled with diverse data projects, sharpening my skills and expanding my horizons. I found a home at Kimberly Clark Professional, where I turned raw data into actionable insights and honed my data engineering skills. This marked my first foray into data science, developing predictive churn models, stunning data visualizations, and natural language sentiment models. These experiences laid the groundwork for building digital marketing insights and eventually leading the data team. Recognizing the impact of ML and AI seven years ago, I transitioned to a small startup, honing my data and AI skills while leading projects and teams, especially in NLP. This path led me to EDF, where I initially served as a consultant before becoming a full-time member in the EDF Blue Lab incubator as an AI Lead. Today, I am at the helm, driving AI innovation to operational scale deployments. I oversee strategy, governance, and the responsible deployment of AI, working alongside my talented award-winning team. With a profound understanding of AI technologies and strong management abilities, I ensure foster innovation within my team. My commitment to responsible AI practices upholds transparency and ethical standards in every initiative and support EDF in understanding AI Governance practices building their AI strategic future. With over 25 years of experience working with data, my leadership and passion for advancing AI technologies empower EDF UK to achieve extraordinary results, enhancing sustainability and operational efficiency. I take pride in contributing to a culture of excellence and responsibility, shaping the future of energy innovation.
