Kaluza propels global expansion with new CEO Melissa Gander

Leading energy software business, Kaluza, is commencing a new phase of global growth, heralded by the appointment of former Chief Operating Officer (COO), Melissa Gander, as the company's CEO.

Prior to her ascent to CEO, Melissa Gander was instrumental in her previous role as COO, aiding in the enhancement of Kaluza's global client portfolio. The platform offers advanced automation, agility and groundbreaking demand response services to energy companies in multiple lucrative markets including Europe, the US, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.

With the aid of advanced algorithms and AI, Kaluza platform is significantly revolutionising the energy sector. Retail operations right from billing to customer care are being automated. Furthermore, Kaluza's innovative Flex solution connects to electric vehicles, solar panels and smart heating devices to optimise energy flows using the cheapest and greenest energy, providing energy companies with new avenues of innovation that allow their customers to reduce carbon emissions while saving money on energy bills.

Gander's appointment as CEO comes in the wake of previous CEO, Scott Neuman, stepping down after nearly three years leading the company. During his tenure, Neuman oversaw the growth of Kaluza into a global organisation of 450 employees, while also establishing new hubs in key markets such as the US and Australia.

Before joining Kaluza as COO in 2021, Melissa Gander had an impressive run at OVO. Part of OVO's 2009 launch team, Gander served as OVO Group COO during the company's landmark acquisition of SSE Energy Services Group Limited, successfully overseeing the operational and technical integration of 3.5 million customer accounts. Her tenure at OVO garnered a reputation for the company as a digital-first challenger, causing significant disruption in the UK market.

In a statement, Justin King, Chair of OVO Group, commended the new appointment. "Melissa knows energy," he says. "When OVO scaled from start-up to major player, she was in the engine room. As she leads Kaluza into a new period of growth, her relentless focus on the customer will make the everyday easier through next-generation software. We welcome her to the role while thanking Scott for his years of leadership and counsel."

On stepping into her new role, Melissa Gander commented, "I'm thrilled to step into the role of Kaluza's CEO as we accelerate a resilient and affordable energy transition. Responding to changing customer demands, managing energy volatility and innovating at pace are critical challenges for today's energy companies. Kaluza is empowering retailers to thrive in the face of this new complexity with our sophisticated and flexible platform that drives progress towards a digitised, decarbonised future."

By appointing Gander, a dedicated and proven leader in the energy software field, Kaluza is clearly staking its claim for a prosperous and resilient future in the global energy scene.