Klarus launches energy & utilities practice with Haw

Klarus has launched an Energy & Utilities practice and appointed Stephen Haw to lead it, expanding its sector focus into energy retail, networks and water.

Haw brings more than 25 years of industry and consulting experience. He was previously Senior Partner, Energy & Utilities, at EY in the Middle East and North Africa, Senior Managing Director at FTI Consulting, and Partner, Energy & Utilities, at Baringa.

The launch comes as energy and water companies face pressure over customer affordability, investment plans and regulatory scrutiny. Utilities are also weighing how to use artificial intelligence and data tools in ways they can justify to regulators and customers.

Before moving into consulting, Haw began his career as a Civil Engineer at Balfour Beatty. He has since worked across the UK, Europe and the Middle East on technical, operational and commercial issues across the energy value chain.

The new practice will apply Klarus's senior-led consulting model to the sector. The firm specialises in technology consulting, with a focus on artificial intelligence, data, enterprise applications and cyber.

Sector pressures

Utility businesses are launching into a period of intense demand. Energy retailers are dealing with record consumer debt, tight margins and continued pressure on household bills, while network operators and water companies prepare for major capital programmes.

In water, Ofwat has approved a GBP £104 billion upgrade programme through to 2030. In energy, Ofgem has opened RIIO-3, its third five-year price control framework, with electricity transmission investment alone estimated at about GBP £70 billion by 2031.

That spending pipeline raises the stakes for decisions on infrastructure, operations and customer service. It also increases demand for advisory work that combines sector knowledge with technology delivery, particularly as companies look to move beyond pilot projects and link digital investment to measurable business outcomes.

Haw has worked on a range of programmes at that intersection, including a data science and machine learning initiative to improve capital and operational asset performance for a Gulf utility; the adoption of operational systems in power and water utilities, such as advanced distribution management systems and smart metering; and divestment and acquisition programmes for distribution businesses.

Klarus's model relies on senior specialists rather than a traditional consulting hierarchy. The firm argues that this approach suits clients seeking advisers with direct implementation experience in complex, regulated industries.

Leadership hire

Frank O'Dea, Chief Executive Officer, outlined the rationale for the appointment.

"Stephen's appointment is an important step in our growth as a business and expansion into energy and utilities. He brings deep sector expertise, with an international perspective, and has built a strong reputation for leading from the front, driving growth and delivering results for clients. As the sector faces some major challenges, Stephen will work closely with clients to help them leverage technology, data and AI, moving beyond advice, theory and pilots to deliver tangible results and real value," said O'Dea.

Haw said the consulting market was changing as artificial intelligence reshaped how firms organise expertise and delivery.

"AI is dismantling the consulting pyramid and there is a huge opportunity to build a firm around senior people that have actually done the work. Sector expertise cannot be commoditised and clients need advisers and implementers who look ahead, have clear points of view and deliver. That is what drew me to Klarus. Energy and utilities don't need more experimentation. Having run these programmes myself, what they need is to know where technology and AI solve real business problems and how to deploy them responsibly. Ultimately, outcomes have to stand up to customer and regulatory scrutiny," said Haw.