About us

Learn about who are we and what we do

Ambassadors

Energy leaders driving gender equality and women's progress.

POWERful Women Leaders' Coalition

12 senior energy leaders commit to advancing gender diversity.

What can you do?

The steps you can take to develop your career in energy

Mentoring & sponsorship

Join our FREE mentoring programme as a mentor or mentee

Coaching

Browse our list of accredited consultancies and coaches

Career case studies

Explore the career journeys that inform and inspire

What can companies do?

Resources, advice, and clear routes to contribute to the movement

A manifesto for 2030 and beyond ...

Discover our 10th Anniversary Manifesto and take action with us

Company case studies

Practical insights: case studies shared by the PfW Leaders' Coalition

Annual state of the nation

Our flagship study on gender diversity in leadership in the UK energy sector

Diversity insights

Reports, Data and insights driving progress on diversity and inclusion

Press Releases

Latest news from our campaigns and leadership work

Events

Browse and register for a variety of in-person and virtual events

Networking

Unlock your career potential with the power of networking

Menu

10 Nov 2025

13 Sep 2024

10 Quickfire Questions for 10 Leading Women in Energy – Louise Kingham, Senior Vice President, Europe, and Head of Country, UK, bp

Louise sits on our Energy Leaders’ Coalition and is a former CEO of the Energy Institute.

Case study article writer
The misconception about the energy industry I’d like to debunk? That it’s only for men!”
Louise Kingham, Senior Vice President, Europe, and Head of Country, UK, bp

1. Describe yourself in three words

Kind. Curious. Decisive.

2. What gets you up and into work in the morning?

Making the answers to our challenges as good as they can be.

3. What was your first job?

Marketing and communications assistant.

4. What has been your greatest challenge so far?

Keeping up with, letting alone being ahead of, three children

5. How do you relax and unwind after a long day?

Watch or read about something which isn’t the day job – sometimes with a glass of wine.

6. What advice would you give now to your 10-year-old self?

Be courageous, say yes and work it out afterwards! Always be kind.

7. What change would you like to see happen within the next 10 years?

Society feels fractured and frustrated so one which is more cohesive and peaceful (and lower carbon!).

8. What’s your best way to find inspiration when you’re feeling stuck or unmotivated?

I step away from the issue temporarily – to clear my head – have a calming word with myself and then come back to it stronger.

9. What would your superpower be?

Mind reader!

10. What’s one misconception about the energy industry that you’d like to debunk?

That it’s only for men! I work with fantastic talented men AND women every day which is a real joy and it’s what’s kept me in the industry for three decades. There is of course more to do for the balance we should have everywhere.

Louise’s book and podcast recommendations:

Book: The most recent book I would recommend would be ‘How to be old’ by Lyn Slater. (It’s not what you think!)

Podcast: Politics has become a bigger part of my job, so I listen for interest and amusement to Newscast and other political podcasts.