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Neil Denley will speak at Util- ity Week's Energy Customer Conference next January examining the value of innova- tive new approaches versus getting the basics right. He will be asking whether data can revolutionise the customer experience. "The next five years will be a watershed moment for the industry. If we embrace the changes ahead, take out the complexity the industry has built and truly look at the issues from a customer's perspective through technological innovations, we can all make a real difference." People & Opinion Utility Week community Speaker's corner Neil Denley, chief operating officer, Co-operative Energy Personal notes What has been you most successful or challenging experience in your career and what did you learn from it? The most successful and chal- lenging experiences have been here at Co-operative Energy. Working for an organisation that is here to not just be in the game but to fundamentally change the game is exciting, rewarding and demanding. The biggest lesson is a) as an industry we overcom- plicate everything and lose sight of the customer too quickly and b) it is great people that make the world go round, not money. The heart of an energy retail business is its back office func- tions, and far too oen we lose sight of this. Identify five people you would invite to your dream dinner party and why? Professor Brian Cox. Wow what a brain. This guy is able to engage and communicate key aspects of our universe in a compelling way, also will guar- antee that the wife will turn up (she has a bit of a crush). Lee Mack. The quickest and sharpest comedian around (also a bit cheesy). Jarvis Cocker. Political rebel with a great ear for music. Johnny Cash. Just to remind us how great the 50s and 60s were (not that I was around then). Of course, the Rochdale pio- neers – how they would shake up the energy industry! Name three items you keep on your desk/with you at work that reveal something about your interests/ personality. My new Iphone – love it! Bit of a techy freak. Lots of flip chart pens, as I think in pictures. Latest read, which is currently The Effortless Experience by Matthew Nixon The main event The Utility Week Energy Customer Conference 2015, spon- sored by Steria, takes place on 22 January at the Holiday Inn, Birmingham City centre. Find out more at www.uw-energycustomer.net US and China in landmark climate change deal Last week Us president barack obama and Chinese president Xi Jinping unveiled a breakthrough deal aimed at reducing both nations' colossal carbon emis- sions and reliance on fossil fuels. 28% Pledged cut in Us emission by 2025 on 2005 levels 20% Percentage of China's energy to be sourced from renewables by 2030. 2030 Chinese total emissions to fall from 2030 onwards. "The UK led the drive to achieve an ambitious new EU target, and others are now following the EU's lead and putting targets on the table. I'm looking forward to discussions with the US and China." UK energy secretary ed Davey "This is a heartening develop- ment. This is a good beginning and I hope the global com- munity follows this lead and maybe builds on it." rajendra Pachauri, chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Story by NUMbErS That's debatable: There's no alternative to privatised energy… "There are isolated critical voices, but the main three UK political par- ties are basically OK with the status quo, that the private sector is ef- ficient, and this is not in question." "In Germany, every month there is a new town that is buying back its energy infrastructure. That is con- tradictory to the centralised, high profit-orientated large utility." emanuele Lobina, principal lecturer with Public services International Christian maas, former state secretary for the environment and urban planning in hamburg