AlumniNicola Connelly

Course studied: PG Dip Accounting, 1992; MBA, 2007

Position at time of writing: CEO, SP Energy Networks

Tell us a bit about your background

I was born in Glasgow and I've lived here my whole life. I was encouraged by my parents to do well in school, and thankfully I loved it and was happy to put the work in and get the grades. I loved maths and science as well as English and history, so deciding what to study was a real dilemma. Having come from a family where going to university definitely wasn’t the norm, I opted for the 'safe' vocational option and studied Electrical and Electronics Engineering at the University of Glasgow.

Looking back, I had no idea what engineers did in the real world and I was struggling to see a future in it, and with no real role models, I pivoted and headed to Strathclyde to do a post graduate diploma in Accounting. This was a year long crash course in Accounting and Finance, and I realised this was definitely what I wanted to do. It led to a training role in PwC (Coopers and Lybrand as it was then) and after qualifying as a Chartered Accountant I took up a role in Internal Audit in Scottish Power, hoping to find out what accountants in industry did so I could figure out what was next.

The changes in the energy industry over those thirty years, the changes in Scottish Power, and the opportunities I have had across a range of different businesses and roles means that almost thirty years later I am still there, still learning, still challenged and loving every minute of it.

Why did you choose Strathclyde?

Strathclyde was there for me at a couple of pivotal moments in my career

When I reflected on why Strathclyde I realised that Strathclyde was there for me at a couple of pivotal moments in my career. The first was the decision to follow a career in finance rather than follow my undergraduate degree, and the second was when I was wondering how to broaden my perspective and get ready for bigger leadership roles, and I opted to study the MBA course. Both times Strathclyde Business School offered exactly what I needed, and given how highly regarded the Business School is, I was delighted to get the opportunity to study there. On both courses I met a group of like-minded people who became firm friends and helped me get through the workload.

Where are you now?

It feels like I have come full circle in that I am now CEO of SP Energy Networks, leading the Electricity Transmission and Distribution networks that are part of the Scottish Power and Iberdrola group in the UK. So, having pivoted from an engineering role early in my career I now run a business that’s full of engineers! The Energy Industry is at a crucial point in its history and with the country’s Net Zero ambitions, the need for security of supply in the UK and the drive for economic growth, this is an exciting time for SP Energy Networks and I am proud to be part of it. We are building the Transmission and Distribution Networks to deliver on all of those ambitions and make sure that it’s fit for generations to come.

What has been the highlight of your career so far?

This is a difficult one for me because there are so many moments that I remember and look back on either fondly or with pride. Setting up the first Mental Health Steering Group in Scottish Power was a big moment for me. This started us on the journey to make sure that people at work feel that it's ok not to be ok and someone will be there to listen and support. We still have lots more we can do but I am proud of where we have got to so far and the plans we have for further improvements.

I also like looking around at people who have come into the company as apprentices and graduates and gone on to bigger and better roles, especially if I have been able to help them along the way. If I can be a role model or a mentor and have a positive impact on someone else’s career then that makes me very happy.

What are your ambitions for the future?

I would like SP Energy Networks to be the leading Network operator in the UK and the Iberdrola Group, and we are setting out a path so that we can achieve just that. There has never been a better time to be in this business and I hope that in the future I look back on these next few years and feel proud of what we have achieved. What we are building in the Networks business at the moment is a once in a generation investment in the country’s electricity infrastructure and I love being part of that.

How has your Strathclyde MBA helped develop your career?

At the time I started studying the MBA I was in a real dilemma in that I loved Scottish Power and the Energy Industry and knew there were lots of opportunities for my career there, but I was worried that I needed to broaden my horizons a bit if I wanted to take on more senior roles. The MBA was perfect in that I got to work in groups with people from different backgrounds so I could learn about other industries without leaving Scottish Power, and the teaching staff from the Business School covered the most up to date management theory with relevant case studies. This gave me the confidence to apply for roles outside of my comfort zone and the experience on the MBA meant that when it came to interview, I could demonstrate that I was ready for my next role. Very soon after graduating I took on a Director role managing a large change programme and my career took off from there.