The Team
Laurent Segalen
Co-founder NATO-L
megawatt-x.comLaurent Segalen is a franco-british clean energy investment banker. Laurent is the founder of Megawatt-X, the London-based Energy Transition investment platform, which he currently heads. Laurent has been trading and investing billions of Euros in Clean Energy over more than two decades. Recent investments have focused on Digital Green Markets, Residential Solar, Batteries and Interconnectors.
His career in Clean Energy spans over 25 years, from Director at pwc, Fund Manager at Mirova (Natixis) to Managing Director Clean Commodities at Lehman Brothers then Nomura.
He was one of the co-authors of the first version of the GHGProtocol "scope 1, scope 2, scope 3" emissions concept and helped create the European Trading System. Laurent has won the “Renewable Energy Leader of the Year” 2024 Award by EnergyBox and the Cititech Top50 voices in Energy and Commodities Award 2024.
Finally, Laurent co-hosts the award-winning podcast Redefining Energy with Gerard Reid. Launched in 2018, the podcast has now been downloaded more than 3m times.
Simon Ludlam
Co-founder NATO-L
Etchea EnergySimon Ludlam has extensive experience in the energy infrastructure and financial sectors. Since founding Etchea Energy in 2006, he has been involved in managing and advising numerous energy projects, including originating and leading the development of the ElecLink interconnector through the Channel Tunnel, as well as providing senior management teams for interconnectors such as MaresConnect and Greenlink. Simon also advises offshore transmission projects and companies developing technologies aimed at achieving net-zero goals and improving power transmission efficiency.
He is the Chairman of the GB Interconnectors' Forum.
Before establishing Etchea Energy, Simon spent 14 years at Lehman Brothers, where he led business origination for the European Energy Group. During this time, he worked in London, Paris, and New York, specialising in project financing, M&A, and capital financing. Following his tenure at Lehman Brothers, he transitioned into private equity, focusing on originating and developing large-scale energy and infrastructure projects.
Gerard Reid
Strategic Advisor
gerardreid.comGerard Reid is an Irish Investment Banker and a leading authority on the changes going on across the worlds of energy and mobility. He is a founding partner of Alexa Capital, which delivers corporate advisory, financing, and asset management solutions across the energy, energy infrastructure, mobility, and energy technology sectors.
He is also a member of the Global Future Council on Advanced Energy Technologies at the World Economic Forum. Gerard has spent over 15 years working in investment banking (equity research, fund management and corporate finance) and has taught in various universities across the world.
Finally, Gerard co-hosts the award-winning podcast Redefining Energy and has received the Cititec Top50 voices in Energy and Commodities Award 2024.
Holly Burke
Legal and Regulatory Director
Etchea EnergyHolly Burke provides advisory services as Legal and Regulatory Director at Etchea Energy, specialising in energy regulation. She brings 15 years' experience as a legal adviser on large-scale financing and infrastructure transactions across New Zealand, Ireland and the UK, with a background in private practice covering project financing of national infrastructure including roads, schools and social housing.
Holly serves as Legal Director for the 750MW MaresConnect interconnector project and leads the Cap & Floor regulatory applications in both GB and Ireland, as well as advising other clients on legal and regulatory aspects of offshore transmission projects. She was previously Legal Director for the €500m Greenlink Interconnector project, where she played a central role in the development phase leading to the first project financing of an interconnector under the Cap and Floor regulatory regime, including the introduction of that regime in Ireland. Holly is the co-founder of Women in Interconnection (WIC) and is a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand.
Melinda Lieshout
Interim Legal and Regulatory Director
Etchea EnergyMelinda Lieshout joined Etchea Energy in 2026 as Legal and Regulatory Director ad interim, bringing extensive experience in HVDC transmission projects gained across both supply chain and project developer environments. Her knowledge spans the full project lifecycle - from development phase through construction and into asset operation - across portfolios of first-of-a-kind HVDC transmission projects.
With over 10 years' experience as a legal adviser in both private practice and in-house roles, Melinda has worked on the development and construction of large-scale renewable construction projects and is passionate about exploring new project opportunities. She is admitted as a Solicitor and Barrister in Victoria, Australia.
Jordan Mills
Finance Manager
Etchea EnergyJordan Mills joined Etchea Energy in 2023 as Finance Manager, with responsibility for financial modelling, budgeting, and performance reporting across key projects including MaresConnect. He delivers financial modelling and analytical support for MaresConnect, GridLink, and NATO-L, underpinning project valuations, capital raising activities, and regulatory submissions across Great Britain, Ireland, and the European Union. Jordan also leads project planning, budgeting, and cost control activities, ensuring robust financial governance and informed decision-making.
Prior to joining Etchea Energy, Jordan held roles within Big Four advisory and corporate finance functions, supporting organisations across the electricity distribution, waste management, retail, and technology sectors. He combines strong technical expertise with a clear and pragmatic communication style, enabling stakeholders to navigate complex financial matters with confidence. Jordan holds a degree in Accounting, Finance and Taxation from the University of Canterbury and is a chartered accountant.
Hannah Atkinson
Legal Counsel
Etchea EnergyHannah Atkinson joined Etchea Energy as Legal Counsel in 2025, providing legal support across advisory projects including MaresConnect. She has broad experience advising on M&A, private equity and finance transactions across the energy, forestry, insurance, technology and other sectors.
Prior to joining Etchea, Hannah was an Associate at a top-ranked New Zealand law firm, where she advised global asset managers, listed corporates and private equity funds on domestic and cross-border transactions. She holds a Bachelor of Laws (First Class Honours) and a Bachelor of Arts in Politics from the University of Otago, and is admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand.