Stephen Marland
Director at AiDash
United Kingdom
Overview
Work Experience
Head of Innovation
2024 - Current
Strategic Advisor
2024 - 2024
Consultancy work - short term renewable energy investment project due diligence.
Director - Product, Innovation and Strategy
2022 - 2024
AiDash helps industries become more resilient, efficient and sustainable through the power of satellites and AI. As founder and product owner, I led the development and scaling of the Intelligent Sustainability Management System (ISMS) – an AI supported platform that enables developers, land managers or owners to assess, plan, report and monitor biodiversity and natural capital. I managed a cross-functional team of designers, engineers, and product managers through the entire development cycle, including feature prioritisation, design, testing, and delivery. I led and expanded the ecology team, refining processes enabling product scale-up. In 2024, I established an ecology consulting practice to complement product and service growth. My contributions to data science and R&D drove IP generation, unique product features, and core process efficiency improvements. Additionally, I served as the technical lead for natural capital, carbon, and biodiversity initiatives, supporting sales in securing multiple SaaS contracts. In exploring new business models, I validated sustainability-related business models, assessing customer value propositions, technical feasibility, and product roadmap timing. Please check out Sustainability Superheros webinar where I interview leaders making progress towards a cleaner, greener and more sustainable planet.
Making critical infrastructure industries climate resilient and sustainable with satellite-first AI applications.
Raised $91,500,000.00 from G2 Venture Partners, SE Ventures, National Grid Partners (NGP), Benhamou Global Ventures, Shell Ventures, Duke Investments LLC, Marubeni, Edison International, Sabancı Holding and Lightrock.
Director of Innovation (National Grid Partners)
2018 - 2022
Director for Innovation in National Grid Partners (NGP), acting VP and member of the investment committee, overseeing global team transitions. Developed NGP’s innovation strategy, implemented lean start-up methods, and managed a portfolio of early-stage concepts. Prototyped, secured investment and IP transfer of an environmental satellite assessment product with AiDash, launched 11th Nov 2021 at COP26.
Head of UK Group Technology
2015 - 2018
Part of Corporate Strategy and a business partner, heading a team of 4 senior managers in the UK. Provided strategic consultancy to National Grid Ventures and the C-Suite, contributing to internal business development programs resulting in new balancing services and Carbon Capture & Storage due diligence. Researched emerging technologies (quantum computing, hydrogen, AI, EV charging) and a key contributor to the vision endorsed by the Board to create a corporate venture capital and innovation function - National Grid Partners (NGP).
Team Manager / Energy Strategy & Policy – GB System Operator
2012 - 2015
Led a small team of 4 analysts in the System Operator (now NESO), co-authoring National Grid’s Future Energy Scenarios publication and presenting to over 300 industry delegates annually.
Strategy Manager / Future Projects & Innovation Manager (National Grid Gas Distribution)
2011 - 2012
Collaborated with Public Relations on regulatory strategy to influence government policy on gas infrastructure in a low-carbon economy. Delivered 16 research projects, managing a £1.1M R&D budget. Additionally, helped secure £2.2M in innovation funding for a bio-gas pilot plant
Executive Assistant
2010 - 2011
Reporting to the COO for Gas Distribution (now Cadent Gas), a business c. 6,000 employees, 11m gas consumers and half of Britain’s gas system.
Pricing Manager
2007 - 2010
A role within Finance accountable for maintaining a £1.5b revenue budget, setting the annual charges, communicating material changes in price levels and representing the company in public forums.
Customer Account Manager
2006 - 2007
An ambassadorial role with the gas Commercial function responsible for several business accounts. Responsibilities included senior customer engagement, policy advocacy and escalated issue resolution.
Auditor
2003 - 2006
Internal auditor, promoted twice in this role.
Project Analyst (National Grid Transco)
2002 - 2003
Business strategy project analyst.
Graduate Trainee (Lattice Group)
2001 - 2002
Narragansett Electric is an electricity transmission and distribution service provider, as well as a natural gas distributor.