People | Faces of the sector


Tracking the people driving change in the hydro industry, from new board appointments to career milestones


Alpiq appoints Bianca Sarbu as Head of Business Division Energy Solutions


Alpiq has appointed Bianca Sarbu as Head of its Business Division Energy Solutions, completing the recruitment process for the role created following the launch of the division in January 2026. Sarbu will join the Executive Board and take up the role in November 2026. The division will continue to be led on an interim basis by CEO Antje Kanngiesser until then. Sarbu joins from BKW, where she has served as Managing Director of the company’s Business Unit Trading & Origination since 2024. She previously held a number of leadership positions at BKW after joining the company in 2016. Before that, she worked at Ompex in Zurich as an Energy Portfolio Manager. “With Bianca, we have attracted an expert in scaling teams and activities across multiple European markets to achieve sustainable growth,” says Alpiq CEO Antje Kanngiesser. Sarbu has worked in the Swiss energy industry for more than a decade. She holds a PhD in Energy Studies and a Master’s degree in Comparative and International Studies from ETH Zurich, as well as degrees in Business Administration and Communication Studies from Bucharest, Romania. “Market access, flexibility alongside


renewables, and risk management now define success,” says Bianca Sarbu. “I firmly believe in Alpiq’s role as a transition


player and look forward to strengthening its origination and portfolio capabilities across European markets.” Alpiq said the Energy Solutions division combines its sales and origination activities across European markets. The company said growing renewable energy capacity is increasing demand for services that support supply stability and manage price and production volatility. As part of its growth strategy, Alpiq said it


plans to expand its presence in core markets and explore opportunities in Western Europe. Areas of focus include structured energy products, battery energy storage systems (BESS), demand-side solutions, power purchase agreements (PPAs), and customer platforms for flexibility and intraday market access. The company said Sarbu will support the further development of the division


8 | June 2026 | www.waterpowermagazine.com


and contribute to Alpiq’s long-term growth plans..


Queen Mokulubete- Manyadu appointed Managing Director: Greater Africa at Zutari


Zutari has appointed Queen Mokulubete- Manyadu as Managing Director: Greater Africa, effective 1 May 2026, as the engineering and infrastructure consultancy looks to expand its presence across the continent.


Known as Queen M., she will lead strategy and operations for Zutari’s Greater Africa business, which spans 12 countries. The company said she will work with country teams to strengthen client partnerships, support growth, and oversee project delivery across infrastructure and community development sectors. The appointment forms part of Zutari’s efforts to strengthen its leadership team and expand its regional impact.


Queen M. joins Zutari with leadership


experience across the mining, engineering, and infrastructure sectors. She previously served as Acting CEO of Concor Construction and as Managing Director of Somila Engineering, where she led business strategy, growth, and operational performance. Earlier in her career, she worked at Anglo American, building technical experience in metallurgical engineering and large-scale industrial operations. Zutari said her executive and board-level


experience, combined with governance and strategic expertise, will support the next phase of growth for the Greater Africa business. She holds an MBA from Wits Business School, including an exchange programme at the Chicago Booth School of Business. Zutari’s Greater Africa division delivers


projects across sectors including energy, water, and community development in markets across the continent..


Mott MacDonald’s Professor Denise Bower appointed ACE Chair


Professor Denise Bower OBE, group director for external engagement at Mott MacDonald, has been appointed chair of the Association


for Consultancy and Engineering (ACE) The UK-based business association


represents around 300 consultancy and engineering firms and works with government and industry stakeholders to champion infrastructure and the built environment sector.


In her role at Mott MacDonald, Denise Bower leads the company’s strategic commitments on issues including climate change, while overseeing corporate reputation, government relations and public policy advocacy. A highly experienced civil engineer and academic, Bower brings expertise across infrastructure consultancy, academia and policy engagement, with a strong focus on infrastructure finance, funding and long-term strategic development. Milda Manomaityte, ChiefExecutive of


ACE, said Bower’s appointment comes at a significant time for the industry as the organisation works with government and stakeholders on issues including geopolitical and regulatory risk, investment certainty and skills development. “Denise brings an exceptional combination


of strategic insight, policy influence and sector leadership,” she said. “Her experience spanning industry, government engagement and academia will be invaluable as ACE continues to strengthen its voice and impact on behalf of our members.”


Mott MacDonald has been a long-standing member of ACE and has recently contributed to industry initiatives focused on the impact of artificial intelligence in consultancy and guidance on wellbeing risk management within the engineering sector. Commenting on her appointment, Professor Bower said: “My priority will be to bring our members together to unlock our collective potential – informing ACE’s strategic direction, influencing policy through evidence-based engagement, raising the profile of our sector, and strengthening partnerships at both local and national level.”.


To share updates for the Faces of the Sector section, please email your information to Carrieann.stocks@btmi. com. We welcome news about recent appointments, retirements, award wins, and other notable achievements.


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