Sir Denis Rooke Memorial Lecture

The role of natural gas on the road to net zero

Louise Kingham, bp’s Senior Vice-President, Europe, and Head of Country, UK will examine the future of natural gas in the UK and globally.  What is its role in the transition to a net zero world?  What is its place in the future energy mix?   What are the challenges and opportunities for today’s policy-makers and industry leaders?  Louise’s lecture will cover current and projected trends, environmental goals and emerging technologies, as well as bp’s own investments in natural gas and hydrogen.

Louise joined bp in 2021 from the Energy Institute (EI), where she was CEO for 22 years, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience across a broad range of issues within the energy industry and beyond.  During her time at the EI, Louise worked in the public interest at the intersection of the energy industry, policy and education where she led the development of industry good practice, evidence-based policy and learning opportunities for people interested in energy. 

She is passionate about diversity and inclusion and building a low carbon future for all.  She chairs bp’s UK DE&I Council, serves as a member of the company’s global Women in Energy committee and sponsors the business resource group for working families.  Externally, she is a founder member of the Powerful Women Energy Leaders Coalition, serves as an ambassador for 25x25 and chairs Business in the Community’s Climate Action Leadership Team.

Internally, Louise serves as a Chair and board member of a number of bp subsidiary companies across Europe and the UK and is also a board member of the bp UK Pension Fund. 

Louise is also a non-executive director of VH Global Sustainable Energy Opportunities plc.In 2022, she was appointed a Commander of the Order the British Empire (CBE) for services to the energy industry, having received and OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in 2011.  In 2017 she was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Science from University of Bath.