Kailash Chada

Group Chief Executive Officer

Kailash Chada is Group Chief Executive Officer at Phoenix Energy, having previously served as Group Chief Finance Officer.

He brings over 30 years’ experience across professional services, international banking and regulated utilities. His career began at PwC in Edinburgh, followed by senior financial leadership roles in London and Northern Ireland.

Since joining Phoenix in 2017, Kailash has played a central role in strengthening financial resilience, governance and long‑term strategy.

He holds a degree in Civil Engineering, is a Chartered Accountant, and is actively involved in the Northern Ireland business community through several senior advisory and representative roles.

Joanne Quinn

Director of Regulatory Affairs

Joanne Quinn is Director of Regulatory Affairs and has over 30 years’ experience across the retail, banking and regulated utility sectors. She has spent more than two decades with Phoenix Energy, holding a number of senior leadership roles.

Joanne is responsible for ensuring full compliance with regulatory and statutory obligations and plays a key role in regulatory strategy and stakeholder engagement. Her experience spans network code management, market development, consumer engagement, business planning and gas market operations.

Joanne holds a degree in Pure and Applied Mathematics and brings deep institutional and regulatory knowledge to the Executive team.

Jonathan Martindale

Director of Business Development

Jonathan Martindale is Director of Business Development and has been instrumental in shaping Phoenix Energy’s growth and strategic direction for over 20 years.

He leads energy services, corporate affairs and business development, and has played a key role in positioning the company to support Northern Ireland’s transition to a net zero economy.

Since 2019, Jonathan has worked closely with stakeholders across industry, academia and government to help develop frameworks for renewable gas.

His role focuses on partnership development, innovation and long‑term market evolution within the energy sector.

Denver Wasson

Director of Engineering

Denver Wasson is Director of Engineering and a Chartered Engineer with over 16 years’ experience in the gas and utilities sector.

He joined Phoenix Energy in 2004 after graduating in Mechanical Engineering and has held several senior engineering and leadership roles within the business.

Denver is responsible for the design, construction, operation and maintenance of the gas network, including emergency response and new customer connections.

He also oversees the ISO‑accredited health, safety, environmental and asset management systems that underpin Phoenix Energy’s engineering operations.

Gareth Wright

Business Services Director

Gareth Wright is Business Services Director and a Chartered Accountant with over 20 years’ experience in consultancy, professional services and regulated utilities.

After working with Deloitte in Belfast and London, he joined Phoenix Energy in 2010 and has since held a number of senior leadership roles.

Gareth has extensive experience in business planning, governance, compliance, regulation and transformation.

He is responsible for customer service delivery, risk management and corporate governance, and leads the Group’s ESG and sustainability agenda, supporting Phoenix Energy’s long‑term responsible business objectives.

Peter Markwell

Director of Finance

Peter Markwell is Director of Finance and a Chartered Accountant with more than 17 years’ experience in the energy sector.

He began his career with Ernst & Young before joining Energia Group, where he held senior trading and finance roles.

Peter brings significant experience in financial strategy, regulation and treasury management within regulated utilities.

At Phoenix Energy, he is responsible for the company’s financial health, growth strategy and regulatory compliance.

He also has executive responsibility for Human Resources, IT and Procurement, supporting effective and resilient business operations.

Jeremy Bending

Chairman, Phoenix Energy

Jeremy has over 40 years’ experience in the gas industry. He was the COO of the National Grid’s Gas Distribution business in the UK and successfully led the organisation through some critical strategic changes in order to prepare the business for the start of the challenging regulatory period that started in 2013.

On leaving National Grid in 2014 Jeremy founded Armco Solutions Ltd and now advises a range of clients from the energy and utilities sector.

Jeremy has recently been involved with some major M&A transactions. In addition to his new role as Non-Executive Director with Phoenix Energy, he also holds non-executive roles with Glover Gas and Power B.V. and Skills2learn (Babcock).

Jeremy is a Chartered engineer and past President of Institution of Gas Engineers and Managers and Past Chairman of the International Gas Union Gas Distribution Committee.

Stephen Kirkpatrick

Non-Executive Director, Phoenix Energy

Stephen has a strong track record as both an executive and non-executive director in a number of regulated businesses including the energy sector and financial services. Having qualified as a chartered accountant with KPMG Stephen spent a significant part of his career with Bank of Ireland. He was CEO of the Northern Ireland business and Head of Retail Credit for the Group. On leaving Bank of Ireland Stephen was appointed CEO of a large real estate investment group.

Alongside this executive role Stephen joined the Boards of several companies as a non-executive director. He spent 6 years as Audit Committee Chair of Mutual Energy. He has also chaired the Audit Committee for two listed companies and was Board Chair of a regulated consumer finance business, an investment fund focussed on economic regeneration and decarbonisation and a leading locally owned professional services practice.

Stephen brings to the Board considerable experience of risk management, corporate governance and corporate finance together with well-grounded understanding of the Northern Ireland economy gained over a career of almost 40 years.

About Us

Meet the Team

Our Board Members and Executive Management Team, their roles and responsibilities

Executive Management Team