What sparked your interest in pursuing a career in Energy Trading?
It was more accident than by design. After university, I was looking for my first job and I applied to the economics profession in the UK civil service. The choice of departments were agriculture and fisheries or the electricity regulator – I didn't fancy counting trees or fish – and I thought my economics training would be a better fit in regulating utility networks and energy markets...and I have been in the sector ever since. Hopefully, a happy accident!
What aspects of energy trading particularly appeal to you?
I think the energy sector as a whole is endlessly interesting – and in particular wholesale markets. I have to think about micro issues such as cross border nomination rules on gas networks, macro issues such as reform of the EU Emissions Trading System and political issues – both nationally and globally – that may impact our markets. It's a real mix and I genuinely feel I learn something new – or at least build my understanding more – every day. I don't think I would get that in any other sector.
What surprised you when you entered energy trading?
The complexity. If you are overseeing regulatory affairs – not only do you need a deep understanding of our sectoral regulation – you also need to know how the commercial and operational platforms of the company function and also the market 'infrastructure' (such as exchanges and brokers).
Tell us something about yourself that would surprise most people who know you.
I used to DJ quite a bit at festivals and various venues across London....but not for a long while now. I recently got all my records out of storage which has created a new storage issue at home – anyone with a large record collection knows that a certain Ikea shelving unit is the one you need.
If you could be whisked away tomorrow to your dream holiday destination, where would it be and why?
Not a destination as such – but mountains somewhere – either in winter or summer. I would also take a nice beach....because who wouldn't! Basically, I like holidays full stop.
What role do you envision energy traders playing in driving the transition to a more sustainable energy future?
Traders are critical in ensuring the effective functioning of markets – we look across all product and geographic markets as well as different timeframes to make sure energy is delivered to where it is needed. This helps ensure security of supply and at the same time creates price signals – which help to drive investment in energy infrastructure. Traders also help producers – including renewable producers - hedge their price risks and support their investments.
If you could have dinner with one historical figure, who would it be? What about someone who is alive today?
I am half Turkish so historically I would go for Suleiman (the Magnificent) – Sultan of the Ottoman Empire and for someone alive probably the greatest Turkish author – Orhan Pamuk. I would sit them at either end of the table to provide unique bookends to the old and new Turkish world.
What’s your favourite movie?
Difficult to choose one film – but I will go with Blade Runner. My capacity for good (and bad) Sci Fi movies is boundless much to the annoyance of my wife.
As a board member, what key responsibilities do you hold to effectively contribute to the association's success?
The role of the Board is to support the secretariat to be successful and to represent the interest of member companies. This can take many different forms – from providing input on strategic priorities for the association to making sure the by laws are simple and easy to read. A real mix.
What do you bring to the Board?
I used to work as a regulator – so hopefully I can bring a different perspective to other Board members – as I hopefully understand how policy makers and regulators think about issues.
If you were to write an autobiography, what would be an apt title that captures your essence and experiences?
Going for gold...you will have to work whether its because I have a love of 90's quiz shows, a particular mid-90's indie music hit or because my surname means gold in Turkish.
How do you stay abreast of the latest industry trends, developments, and market dynamics to ensure informed decision-making?
I have a great team which I rely on – but it's not possible to cover everything – the real skill is knowing what to follow and what to leave behind...and this comes through trial and error!
What are your strategies for effectively managing stress and maintaining a balanced life amidst demanding responsibilities?
Sometimes something as simple as a walk outside around the office can help rebalance in a moment of stress. If at home, we have a wood nearby which always provides somewhere to stomp off any stresses.
What are some of your favourite hobbies or activities to unwind and relax?
Cooking. I find it relaxing as it helps me focus on something very different from work related stuff. My family is also very happy that cooking is one of my favourite activities.
How has the evolving energy landscape, including the transition to renewables and geopolitical tensions, impacted the European energy market?
Our markets are now truly global. You cannot think about European energy markets in isolation. This makes our work more challenging and interesting as I need to understand the evolution of energy policy on a global rather than national or regional basis – and this also means understanding the evolution of political trends and dynamics.
How do you see the future of the European energy market, and what potential challenges and opportunities do you anticipate?
We don't have a European market anymore – there is a global flow of energy. Events or policies in one part of the world will impact our 'local' markets and prices – so to be successful you have to have a global perspective. However, with the new 5 year political cycle beginning at a European level the same questions about costs, decarbonisation and security of supply remain – but the trade-offs have perhaps become more complex – which means when policy makers want to drive particular outcomes, the risks of unintended consequences is higher. We need to be able to make decisions about these trade-offs in the most informed way – which is why wholesale markets are so important as they help to provide information on the prices we all have to pay to try and balance these outcomes.