Dame Dawn Childs, Pure Data and Sam Grady, A Healthier Earth

Dame Dawn Childs DBE FREng

Dawn is the CEO of Pure Data Centres Group building and operating hyperscale data centres. Before joining Pure she led a multi-billion transformation programme for National Grid across both the gas and electricity transmission businesses.

This followed several senior engineering appointments as: the Group Engineering Director for Merlin Entertainments with responsibility for engineering delivery and standards across the worldwide portfolio of theme parks; and the Head of Engineering at Gatwick Airport. She joined Gatwick after 23 years as an Engineering Officer in the Royal Air Force.

She is a Trustee of the Royal Academy of Engineering and Chairs the Audit and Risk Committee and a Trustee of the Air League. She was the longest serving President of the Women’s Engineering Society, turning it around over a 5 year tenure, and is currently the Chair of the iMasons Committee.

She was honoured with a Fellowship of the Royal Academy of Engineering in October 2020 in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the engineering profession and was appointed a Dame Commander of the British Empire (DBE) for services to engineering in the King’s New Years Honours 2023.

Sam Grady, A Healthier Earth

Sam is a commercial strategy professional with experience of driving social impact in both the public and private sector. He has worked primarily in regulated environments; firstly, as an economist at HM Treasury and then as a commercial policy advisor at the Cabinet Office – responsible for the establishment and management of public-private joint venture companies.

Most recently Sam has lead business development activity at National Grid where his focus was on designing and delivering sustainable business models. 

As AHE’s Director of Strategy & Business Development Sam is responsible for building commercial partnerships and creating innovate business models that enable the delivery of our ambitious climate projects.

 Sam is from the UK and currently lives in North Worcestershire. In his spare time he is an avid golfer on a never ending quest to break par.