Day in the life of our Non-Commodity Specialist

Why the non-commodity role matters

The creation of the Non-Commodity Specialist role at CEC reflects the company's commitment to offering a comprehensive approach to utility management and more accurate and complete support to its client portfolio.

Neil’s extensive background in managing gas, water, and electricity non-commodity costs perfectly complements CEC’s existing procurement and client relationship management services. His arrival strengthens the company's ability to handle every aspect of utility management - from commodity risk management to the complex intricacies of non-commodity costs.

A strong industry background

Neil brings a wealth of experience from industry giants like Total Gas and Power (TGP), Shell Gas Direct, and Orsted. At TGP, he worked as a Key Accounts Manager, where he handled billing and metering queries for some of the company’s largest clients. This role provided him with valuable exposure to non-commodity costs, such as transportation pass-through charges and triad reconciliations.

He later transitioned to Shell Gas Direct, which eventually became Orsted, where his responsibilities grew to include Industry Operations Analyst work. In this role, Neil specialised in handling non-commodity costs passed on transparently to key accounts on flexible products. He was responsible for ensuring accurate transportation invoicing by capturing rates from National Grid, distribution network operators (DNOs), meter asset managers (MAMs), and independent gas transporters (iGTs).

Additionally, Neil performed an in-depth analysis of annual quantity (AQ) and supply-offer quantity (SOQ) data, key drivers of non-commodity charges. Mismanagement of these variables can lead to inflated costs for customers, an issue Neil’s expertise helps to prevent.

Supporting CEC clients in every utility management aspect

Neil’s role at CEC extends far beyond just energy. He also works on the water supply side of the business, gathering wholesale charges from various water suppliers across the UK and integrating this information into CECIL, CEC’s proprietary utility management system. This will allow for more accurate water supply contract tenders and provide an even higher level of service to CEC’s clients.

In the gas sector, Neil is compiling published transportation costs to implement them into CECIL, which will improve both tendering and invoice validation processes for clients. His work ensures that CEC is always up to date with the latest costs, allowing for the most accurate and transparent utility management solutions possible.

Market-wide Half-Hourly Settlement (MHHS) project

One of the major projects Neil is currently involved in is the Market-Wide Half-Hourly Settlement (MHHS) initiative. This project aims to help CEC’s clients transition from non-half-hourly to half-hourly settlements, a significant change in the energy market. Neil’s expertise will be invaluable in helping clients navigate this transition smoothly, ensuring they remain compliant and continue to receive the best service possible during this shift.

A bright future for CEC clients

With Neil on board as CEC’s Non-Commodity Specialist, clients can feel confident that their utility management needs are in expert hands. By offering in-house expertise across both commodity and non-commodity costs, CEC provides a holistic solution that ensures transparency, accuracy, and cost-efficiency in every aspect of energy and water management. Neil’s experience and knowledge will be key in driving this strategy forward, enabling CEC to stand out in a highly competitive industry.

Learn more about our team or contact Control Energy Costs for more information.