Professor Cosmo Graham, Chair & Trustee

Cosmo Graham is a Professor of Law at the Leicester Law School, University of Leicester and Director of the Consumer and Essential Services Unit. He has undertaken extensive law and policy research into the regulation of essential services with a focus on the representation of the consumer interest, consumers in vulnerable circumstances and dispute resolution. He was a member of the Competition Commission from 1999 until 2008 and a member of the European Commission’s working group on vulnerable consumers in the energy sector. He was elected Chair of the Essential Services Access Network in April 2019.

Chris Downs, Treasurer & Trustee

Chris Downs took up the position of Trustee and Treasurer in October 2021. Earlier in his career, Chris worked as an economist in two of the UK’s largest trade associations, and since then in universities. Chris has been a committed educator, concerned with enabling all to access the benefits of higher study, for some 30 years. He has, in the past, taken a particular interest in financial services and pensions.

Dr Tim Dodsworth, Trustee

Dr Tim Dodsworth was elected as a Trustee in October 2022. Tim is associate professor of contract law at the University of Reading School of Law. His research focusses on the intersection between contractual values and vulnerability. Tim has written on the topic of underlying contractual values, vulnerability in essential services, consumer expectations and fairness standards. The most recent research project is based on identifying resilience obligations through relational contract theory in essential services contracts which could enable sustainable protection of vulnerable individuals through contractual obligations.

Dion Tickner – Trustee

Dion Tickner was elected as a Trustee in October 2024. Dion is a Policy Analyst at National Energy Action working on ensuring market frameworks work in the interests of vulnerable consumers. Dion has been working in the energy regulation and policy space for around 4 years. He is the representative for consumer interests on Ofgem’s external stakeholder advisory group, which is responsible for shaping the development of policy and operational processes associated with the new regulatory framework for heat networks. Dion is also highly engaged in shaping policy developments in the retail energy market.

 

Vanessa Goodchild-Bradley, ESAN coordinator

Vanessa has a background in Education, Environmental Policy and Governance. Vanessa edits the monthly members’ newsletter, manages membership, meetings and the ESAN website. Vanessa can be contacted by email.

 

Membership

ESAN is independent and funded by our members and newsletter subscribers.  Members meet quarterly to discuss issues of common concern and developments that affect vulnerable consumers in the communications, water, energy and financial services sectors. ESAN also holds occasional conferences and events that are open to a wider audience.  ESAN Members and subscribers receive a monthly newsletter. We welcome new members and subscribers!

Members

The following consumer/voluntary organisations and individuals with specific expertise attend meetings and have voting rights:

Age UK; Auriga Services; Barrow Cadbury Trust/Fair by Design; Christians against Poverty;  Centre for Sustainable Energy; Consumer Council for Northern Ireland; Consumer Council for Water; Different Petal; Independent Age; Money Advice Trust; National Energy Action, StepChange;  Vulnerability Registration Service; Zoe McLeod.

Associate members

The following regulators and other bodies attend meetings and have associate (non-voting) membership:

Ofwat, Ombudsman Services, Thames Water, Utility Regulator (UREGNI), Wessex Water