Utility Week

18 www.utilityweek.co.uk/fLeX Adriana Karaboutis: Find your North Star* How do you go about driving digital cultural transformation throughout a utility colossus straddling both sides of the Atlantic? National Grid's Adriana (Andi) Karaboutis tells us first you must find your North Star* By Suzanne Heneghan S he's no stranger to big remits, but technology guru Andi Karaboutis is the first to accept that her job at National Grid is huge. It's just a year since she took on the newly created role of chief information and digital officer at the multinational utility behemoth. In fact, "one year, two weeks," as the US-based, entrepreneurial thought leader happily points out. "But I'm not counting, I'm celebrating," she laughs. Despite the miles, the reputed trademark enthusiasm that's brought her renown for driving innovation across a gamut of industries, including automotive, high-tech, big pharma and defence, is unmistakable during our transatlantic call. And that Karaboutis, who has worked with such global titans as General Motors, Dell, Ford and Biogen, has offered to chat during what for most people on the eastern seaboard is the early hours of a public holiday, speaks volumes about her passion for this latest role. Her ambition for harnessing key emerging digital opportunities that will bolster the company's adapting UK and US business models comes through loud and clear. As does her conviction to see them play vital roles, particularly in terms of security, resilience and customer service, as well as bringing real value through technology for National Grid. A top electronic computer control systems graduate with a CV so strong she could work pretty much anywhere on the tech career spectrum, it soon becomes abundantly clear that the energy sector is now her inspiration. She is quick to cite the thoughts of one of her heroes – Microsoft's principal founder – on the subject. "I often quote Bill Gates, who says if he were to start all over again, one of the top three areas he would go into would be energy. And I used to think to myself, I feel that way as well." is, she reveals, is what made the opportunity with National Grid unmissable. " e energy sector is at a great crossroads where technology can influence it tremendously and bring great value for consumers, producers and utilities alike. "I see an appetite in the energy and utilities sector, a willingness to really look into what technologies can bring and what the opportunities are, and I see that both from the regulator's side as well as the provider's. And I really wanted to be part of that, it's exciting." Fundamental to this has been the broad scope of the role, combining both National Grid's IT and its digital operations to help the company meet its vision to 'exceed the expectations of customers, shareholders and communities today and make possible the energy systems of tomorrow'. And her appointment (in July 2017) came during a period of pivotal movement, both for National Grid itself (including the separating out of its system operator function from the rest of the business), and the increasingly dynamic and flexible energy landscape it works within. "I was brought on board as the CIO and digital officer, which is hugely important. I N T E R V I E W // I see an appetite in the energy and utilities sector, a willingness to really look into what technologies can bring and what the opportunities are //

• Cover