OUR TEAM
CEO
Simon Ludlam founded Etchea Energy in 2006. Since its creation Etchea Energy has provided a range of roles in the financial and energy sectors, most recently providing the senior management teams to a variety of interconnectors including MaresConnect, Greenlink and ElecLink. Simon advises a number of other offshore transmission projects as well as companies developing technologies to drive net zero and increase power transmission efficiency.
Previously, Simon worked in private equity where he originated and subsequently developed energy and infrastructure projects including ElecLink, the interconnector through the Channel Tunnel. Simon spent 14 years in investment banking working in London, Paris and New York with responsibility for business origination at Lehman Brothers’ European Energy Group.
Simon has broad experience in originating investment opportunities, M&A, debt and equity financing for energy companies and private equity funds and running development companies.
Simon is a chartered accountant.
COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR
Philip Jordan is a leading project engineer for large scale transmission infrastructure projects. He has over 20 years of experience gained at EirGrid and ESB, leading projects in Ireland and abroad.
Philip was a leading figure on the development and construction of Ireland’s €600M EWIC power interconnector across to the GB. He also provided strategic advice during the development phase of the Celtic Interconnector project, with particular focus on the transition from inception to design, and procurement.
Philip is well known in the Irish and UK markets for both his technical and commercial skills and maintains a broad network of senior contacts in the industry, with regulators and government.
He has extensive experience working on the development, construction and commissioning of multi-disciplinary projects, including power stations, and HVDC systems.
Philip is based in Etchea Energy's offices in Dublin.
Philip is a chartered engineer.
LEGAL DIRECTOR
Holly Burke provides advisory services in her role as Legal Director, including advice on energy regulation. Holly has 12 years’ experience acting as legal advisor on the largescale financing and infrastructure transactions in New Zealand, Ireland and the UK. As a lawyer in private practice, Holly specialised in project financing of a wide range of national infrastructure projects including roads, prisons, schools and social housing.
Holly is Legal Director for the 750MW MaresConnect interconnector project and also leads on the Cap & Floor regulatory applications in GB and Ireland. Holly also advises other clients in relation to legal and regulatory aspects of offshore transmission projects.
Holly was previously Legal Director for the €500m Greenlink Interconnector project where she was heavily involved in all aspects of the development phase leading to the first project financing of an interconnector under the Cap and Floor regulatory regime, including the introduction of Cap and Floor regulation in Ireland. She oversaw the procurement and negotiation of construction and service and maintenance contracts on a combined cable and converter basis to support project financing. She also worked across all legal workstreams to develop the project on a basis to support first-of a kind project financing.
Holly is a barrister and solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand.
FINANCE MANAGER
Jordan Mills joined Etchea Energy in 2023 and helps to manage the financial modelling, budgeting and reporting processes of the projects.
He has significant experience from his 5 years in both Big Four accounting and commercial roles, supporting companies in the electricity distribution, waste management, retail and technology industries. Jordan brings a strong technical skillset to support improved decision-making and clear communication of information to stakeholders.
Jordan holds a degree in Accounting, Finance and Taxation from the University of Canterbury and is a chartered accountant.
OFFICE MANAGER
Deborah Gianinetti is Etchea Energy's Office Manager and manages the day-to-day running of our offices in London and Dublin. Deborah ensures that Etchea Energy's offices are run to meet the needs of the team, our partners and our many external stakeholders.
She also manages communications and media for Etchea Energy and MaresConnect Interconnector.
Deborah is Office Manager at MaresConnect Interconnector, where she oversees the operations across their three offices.
Deborah holds a master’s degree in Journalism.