PHAM NEWS | DECEMBER/JANUARY 2026 Energy SavingAwards 25


Energy Saving Influencer of the Year Winner:


Zainab Dangana


Dr. Zainab Dangana is a trailblazer in sustainable innovation, transforming the built environment’s approach to achieving net zero goals. As Head of Sustainable Technology Services at Wates Group, she leads the integration of cutting- edge sustainable solutions across construction and infrastructure projects, applying over 20 years of expertise in design, technical and construction site management. Her work spans decarbonisation strategies, intelligent building design and large-scale retrofit initiatives, all aimed at creating greener, more resilient spaces. At the heart of Dr. Dangana’s impact is the Wates Innovation Network (WIN) Portal, a free platform connecting clients with more than 100 sustainable technology providers to reduce carbon emissions and operational costs. The WIN Portal has become a vital accelerator for net zero building adoption across the UK.


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widely praised for its clarity, accessibility and measurable benefits. Through tailored consultations and strategic supplier matching, Dr. Dangana has driven both successful pilot projects and large-scale rollouts, improving building performance, energy efficiency and regulatory compliance.


Beyond its role as a knowledge hub, the platform exemplifies Dr. Dangana’s ability to translate innovation into practical outcomes, supporting real-time energy management, advanced materials deployment, and supplier showcase initiatives that promote tangible


Special Recognition Award Steven Fawkes


Dr. Steven Fawkes has been a leader in energy efficiency for 45 years and has made a significant contribution to the understanding and practice of the field. He has: delivered large energy management programmes; co-founded three energy service companies; implemented innovative energy services transactions; advised governments; and built an energy transition finance practice. His career has consistently focused on turning the theory of energy efficiency into practical, scalable approaches that work for organisations and investors. A key area of his work has


been scaling up investment in energy efficiency. Throughout his career, Fawkes has worked closely with financial


uptake of sustainable solutions. In 2025, she spearheaded the Financial Call for Innovation, a pioneering initiative that engaged financial institutions in trialing and adopting sustainable technologies. The campaign received over 100 applications and was


institutions to help them recognise the value of energy efficiency projects and integrate them into mainstream financing mechanisms – an area that historically struggled to attract consistent capital. Believing that standardisation makes projects clearer and more investable, he led the Investor Confidence Project Europe, which developed widely used protocols for standardising the development of energy efficiency projects. He also played a leading


role in the Energy Efficiency Financial Institutions Group, advancing the idea that the multiple benefits of energy efficiency should be better understood and valued. In 2012, Dr. Fawkes founded the ep Group, which advises


Wider influence Dr. Dangana’s influence extends across the wider energy and construction sector. She holds advisory roles with CIOB, Elemental London, EMEX and TRIG, actively shaping industry debates on energy efficiency. Her thought leadership is further amplified through public speaking engagements, social media and contributions to publications, including works on sustainable technology selection and zero carbon retail buildings. Her research demonstrates a commitment to developing frameworks that guide stakeholders in implementing energy- efficient solutions in complex construction environments. As a Visiting Professor at


corporates, investors, governments and multilateral organisations on designing, developing and financing net zero projects. The group has built a portfolio of activities focused on supporting the transition to a regenerative economy, spanning consultancy, project development, capital raising and asset management. A joint venture between ep and India’s state-owned Energy Efficiency Services Ltd (EESL) invested more than £65 million into UK energy efficiency projects, demonstrating the potential for cross-border collaboration in the sector. More recently, ep announced a joint venture with Pixii AS, a leading Norwegian battery technology company, expanding its work into distributed energy storage and grid-supporting technologies. In addition to project


deployment and advisory work, Dr. Fawkes has contributed


With thanks to our sustainability partner


With the help of our sustainability partner, SAV Systems EnergiRaven, we are proud to say that the 2025 Energy Saving Awards is carbon neutral. Working closely with carbon reduction engineers


and the event venue, the Park Plaza London Riverbank hotel, we will be able to calculate all the carbon that the live event produced. The Business Carbon Assessments will be completed by an independent third party


to the international standard and the globally recognised greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions verification. All the carbon produced by the event will then be offset by a chosen cause (to be announced).


Printing deadlines meant that we have been unable to include images from the Energy Saving Awards event in this issue, but look out for our February 2026 edition for further coverage.


London South Bank University, Dr. Dangana combines academic insight with practical expertise, bridging the gap between research and industry application. Her extensive network of sustainable technology providers and deep understanding of technology commercialisation enable her to accelerate innovations to market and scale effective solutions. She excels in navigating client-specific challenges, earning the trust of senior executives, and guiding organisations through complex, matrixed environments to achieve measurable energy and carbon reductions. Dr. Dangana’s career reflects a consistent focus on impact- driven innovation. She blends entrepreneurial thinking with corporate governance expertise, creating opportunities for sustainable innovations that deliver both environmental and economic value. Her dedication to achieving net zero buildings, using technologies already available today, underscores her status as a leading voice in the field. By connecting sustainable innovation with real-world, measurable outcomes, Dr. Dangana embodies the qualities of an exceptional communicator and energy influencer.


substantially to the wider understanding of energy efficiency. He has written more than 400 publications, including three books, and continues to share insights through his long-running blog, Only Eleven Percent. He has delivered more than 250 presentations globally, including invited keynote speeches, helping shape international dialogue on the role of energy efficiency in achieving climate and energy goals. Dr. Fawkes’s work has


been recognised by several organisations, including the Energy Institute, the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy, and the India Business Group. Across a long career, his contribution has been marked by a consistent effort to bridge policy, finance and technical practice, helping to move energy efficiency from a specialist concern to a central pillar of modern energy strategy.


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