People
Mike Reynolds
CEO, UK
Mike Reynolds was appointed CEO of Gren Energy Ltd in June 2023, overseeing the business’s entry into the UK market, and its growing portfolio of assets and partnerships. He is committed to ensuring Gren plays a key role in providing local, affordable green energy to UK communities and businesses, leveraging Gren’s expertise as a market leader in district energy in Northern Europe.
Mike brings 20 years of experience working at the cutting edge of the energy transition in Europe and North America. He has a track record of driving investment, launching new products, establishing businesses in new markets and achieving sustainable growth. As Managing Director of Vattenfall Heat UK from 2018 to 2023, he oversaw its growth from concept to operational business. He previously held directorships at SSE in B2B energy services and led the international expansion of Natural Capital Partners on the US West Coast.
Mike develops clear visions and compelling business strategies and translates them into competitive advantage and commercial success. He builds and empowers strong teams and creates entrepreneurial, talent-led cultures which drive business performance.
In his spare time, Mike is a keen amateur gardener and enjoys singing in and conducting choirs.
Mike Reynolds was appointed CEO of Gren Energy Ltd in June 2023, overseeing the business’s entry into the UK market, and its growing portfolio of assets and partnerships. He is committed to ensuring Gren plays a key role in providing local, affordable green energy to UK communities and businesses, leveraging Gren’s expertise as a market leader in district energy in Northern Europe.
Mike brings 20 years of experience working at the cutting edge of the energy transition in Europe and North America. He has a track record of driving investment, launching new products, establishing businesses in new markets and achieving sustainable growth. As Managing Director of Vattenfall Heat UK from 2018 to 2023, he oversaw its growth from concept to operational business. He previously held directorships at SSE in B2B energy services and led the international expansion of Natural Capital Partners on the US West Coast.
Mike develops clear visions and compelling business strategies and translates them into competitive advantage and commercial success. He builds and empowers strong teams and creates entrepreneurial, talent-led cultures which drive business performance.
In his spare time, Mike is a keen amateur gardener and enjoys singing in and conducting choirs.
Jennifer Holgate
Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel, UK
Jenn Holgate joined the Gren Energy Ltd team in September 2023 as Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel. Her role is to oversee all legal matters in the UK, which includes any company contracts, compliance, risk, company secretarial matters and corporate governance. Particularly, Jenn works commercially and pragmatically to achieve a growth-led outcome whilst managing risks on behalf of the business. She develops a collaborative, approachable and straightforward way of negotiating terms in a dynamic market.
Previously Senior Legal Counsel at Vattenfall, Jenn brings 14 years of experience in law, specialising in infrastructure, renewable energy, project management, parliamentary drafting, diligence, litigation, delivery and advocacy. Prior to her in-house career, Jenn worked at Pinsent Masons, Eversheds Sutherland and Womble Bond Dickinson on a variety of clean energy and infrastructure projects, whilst also undertaking work within the National Infrastructure Commission, amongst other policy-based initiatives.
Originally Welsh born and bred, Jenn now lives in Cornwall with her husband and young son. She loves hiking, swimming in the sea, playing the saxophone and sampling the odd Cornish cider.
Jenn Holgate joined the Gren Energy Ltd team in September 2023 as Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel. Her role is to oversee all legal matters in the UK, which includes any company contracts, compliance, risk, company secretarial matters and corporate governance. Particularly, Jenn works commercially and pragmatically to achieve a growth-led outcome whilst managing risks on behalf of the business. She develops a collaborative, approachable and straightforward way of negotiating terms in a dynamic market.
Previously Senior Legal Counsel at Vattenfall, Jenn brings 14 years of experience in law, specialising in infrastructure, renewable energy, project management, parliamentary drafting, diligence, litigation, delivery and advocacy. Prior to her in-house career, Jenn worked at Pinsent Masons, Eversheds Sutherland and Womble Bond Dickinson on a variety of clean energy and infrastructure projects, whilst also undertaking work within the National Infrastructure Commission, amongst other policy-based initiatives.
Originally Welsh born and bred, Jenn now lives in Cornwall with her husband and young son. She loves hiking, swimming in the sea, playing the saxophone and sampling the odd Cornish cider.
Joseph Scott
Chief Commercial Officer, UK
Joe brings over a decade of experience from a broad range of leadership roles in the energy sector. He has launched multiple heat networks across the UK, from Bristol to London and Edinburgh.
As Chief Commercial Officer, Joe is responsible for Gren UK’s business model and commercial strategy. He oversees UK construction, business planning and our joint venture and delivery partner relationships. He also leads the business’ M&A, commercial strategy and modelling functions.
Joe brings over a decade of experience from a broad range of leadership roles in the energy sector. He has launched multiple heat networks across the UK, from Bristol to London and Edinburgh.
As Chief Commercial Officer, Joe is responsible for Gren UK’s business model and commercial strategy. He oversees UK construction, business planning and our joint venture and delivery partner relationships. He also leads the business’ M&A, commercial strategy and modelling functions.
Matt Baker
Chief Development Officer, UK
Matt brings over twenty years of experience across the public, private, and voluntary sectors.
He has held senior leadership roles at Accenture, Goldman Sachs and Deloitte. Prior to joining Gren, he was a senior leader at Northumberland County Council.
As Chief Development Officer, Matt leads Gren’s UK strategic development – Originating and shaping new projects, building strategic partnerships with Public, Private and Third Sectors, that are needed to fund and deliver city scale infrastructure at pace and scale. Matt also oversees Gren UK’s public affairs and communications functions, and leads Gren’s Energy on Clyde project out of the Glasgow office.
Matt brings over twenty years of experience across the public, private, and voluntary sectors.
He has held senior leadership roles at Accenture, Goldman Sachs and Deloitte. Prior to joining Gren, he was a senior leader at Northumberland County Council.
As Chief Development Officer, Matt leads Gren’s UK strategic development – Originating and shaping new projects, building strategic partnerships with Public, Private and Third Sectors, that are needed to fund and deliver city scale infrastructure at pace and scale. Matt also oversees Gren UK’s public affairs and communications functions, and leads Gren’s Energy on Clyde project out of the Glasgow office.
Charlotte Phillips
Chief Operating Officer, UK
A Chartered Surveyor and Chartered Environmentalist, Charlotte has been delivering low-carbon infrastructure solutions for over twenty years. Her roles have included leading the Energy and Sustainability practice for CBRE across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, heading up the Infrastructure Investment team at a waste fund, setting up her own advisory business, and most recently working at an ethical investment platform as an Investments Director.
As Chief Operating Officer, Charlotte is responsible for all UK business operations and process optimisation, including production, logistics, procurement and supply chain. She also leads on Gren UK’s asset portfolio operations, change management strategy and performance management. In addition, she oversees the IT, HR and Heath and Safety functions.
A Chartered Surveyor and Chartered Environmentalist, Charlotte has been delivering low-carbon infrastructure solutions for over twenty years. Her roles have included leading the Energy and Sustainability practice for CBRE across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, heading up the Infrastructure Investment team at a waste fund, setting up her own advisory business, and most recently working at an ethical investment platform as an Investments Director.
As Chief Operating Officer, Charlotte is responsible for all UK business operations and process optimisation, including production, logistics, procurement and supply chain. She also leads on Gren UK’s asset portfolio operations, change management strategy and performance management. In addition, she oversees the IT, HR and Heath and Safety functions.
Michele Pietsch
Chief Financial Officer, UK
A qualified accountant, Michele has over 20 years of experience in senior finance roles across energy, retail, healthcare and construction. Michele was UK Financial Controller at UK National Grid, and most recently was CFO for Renewable Power Capital, a Europe-wide platform developing, building and operating solar, wind and battery storage.
As Chief Financial Officer, Michele is responsible for financial sustainability and value creation for the UK business, as well as financial risk, capital structures, funding strategy and fundraising, investor alignment and M&A execution. She leads the UK finance team, overseeing planning, budgeting, and forecasting, reporting, auditing and tax.
A qualified accountant, Michele has over 20 years of experience in senior finance roles across energy, retail, healthcare and construction. Michele was UK Financial Controller at UK National Grid, and most recently was CFO for Renewable Power Capital, a Europe-wide platform developing, building and operating solar, wind and battery storage.
As Chief Financial Officer, Michele is responsible for financial sustainability and value creation for the UK business, as well as financial risk, capital structures, funding strategy and fundraising, investor alignment and M&A execution. She leads the UK finance team, overseeing planning, budgeting, and forecasting, reporting, auditing and tax.
Benoit Petre
Chief of Staff, UK
Benoit brings over 10 years of experience in the energy and infrastructure sectors, including as a Senior Manager in McKinsey’s Clean Energy Practice. His expertise spans corporate strategy, new venture build-out, and M&A advisory for startups, utilities, and infrastructure investment funds. Prior to joining Gren, he played a key role in the development of private wire solutions and district cooling networks for data center operators.
As Chief of Staff, Benoit partners closely with the CEO to drive the execution of Gren UK’s strategy across the organization. He ensures cross-functional alignment, prioritization, and delivery against key objectives. He oversees senior stakeholder communication, including investors, and leads high-impact, cross-functional initiatives requiring executive-level coordination and governance.
Benoit brings over 10 years of experience in the energy and infrastructure sectors, including as a Senior Manager in McKinsey’s Clean Energy Practice. His expertise spans corporate strategy, new venture build-out, and M&A advisory for startups, utilities, and infrastructure investment funds. Prior to joining Gren, he played a key role in the development of private wire solutions and district cooling networks for data center operators.
As Chief of Staff, Benoit partners closely with the CEO to drive the execution of Gren UK’s strategy across the organization. He ensures cross-functional alignment, prioritization, and delivery against key objectives. He oversees senior stakeholder communication, including investors, and leads high-impact, cross-functional initiatives requiring executive-level coordination and governance.