Meet the Member - Lauren Blake
Who are you & what do you do?
I'm Lauren Blake, Group Head of Sales at Islands Energy Group, leading our commercial and domestic sales teams across Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man. My role is centred on understanding our customers' energy needs and helping them identify the right solutions for their homes, businesses and organisations. I work closely with customers, government bodies, industry partners and community organisations to support growth, drive innovation and deliver practical energy solutions that balance commercial, operational and environmental objectives. As part of this, I help shape new products and services, build strategic partnerships, and support the transition to a lower-carbon future across the communities we serve.
How are you personally using AI at home and at work?
AI has quickly become a valuable tool both professionally and personally. In my role as Group Head of Sales at Islands Energy Group, I use AI to help analyse information, identify trends, develop presentations and refine communications more efficiently. This allows me to spend less time on administrative tasks and more time engaging with customers, supporting my team and focusing on strategic priorities.
Having worked in the energy sector for many years, I've seen how technology, data and artificial intelligence can help transform customer experience. Across the wider UK energy market, AI has become an increasingly important tool for generating customer insights, improving operational efficiency and delivering more personalised, customer-focused services. Used responsibly, it has the potential to help organisations make better decisions, understand customer needs more effectively and provide a more responsive, efficient customer experience.
On a personal level, I've occasionally used AI for things such as holiday planning and research of new places. It's a helpful tool for bringing information together efficiently and can support more informed decision-making in everyday situations.
How is your company adapting to the challenges and opportunities of AI?
At Islands Energy Group, we recognise the significant opportunities that artificial intelligence presents in enhancing customer experience, improving operational efficiency and supporting better-informed decision-making across the business. As an energy provider, we manage large volumes of operational and customer data, and AI has the potential to help us unlock greater value from that information through improved forecasting, more effective insights and streamlined processes.
We see AI as an important enabler of innovation, helping our people work more efficiently while allowing them to focus on activities that create the greatest value for our customers. Whether through improving service delivery, supporting data-driven decisions or identifying opportunities for continuous improvement, AI has the potential to play an important role in the future of our industry.
At the same time, we recognise the importance of adopting any new technology responsibly. Ensuring data security, maintaining appropriate governance and retaining human oversight are critical to how we approach AI. Our focus is on embracing innovation in a way that enhances the service we provide while maintaining the trust, transparency and accountability that our customers expect from us.
What's your AI top tip?
My top tip would be to use AI as an assistant, not an authority. Always verify the information it provides and apply your own judgement and expertise. AI can be a valuable tool, but it is most effective when used to support people rather than replace them.
What is your current must-read or listen?
I'm currently listening to the Aspire with Emma Grede podcast. I enjoy the conversations around leadership, entrepreneurship and business growth, as well as the insights from successful business leaders on building strong teams and customer-focused organisations. The podcast offers honest, real-world perspectives that often challenge conventional thinking and provide valuable lessons that can be applied both professionally and personally.