A Tribute by Cornwall Insight Colleagues Past and Present
Nigel Cornwall, a pioneering figure in the UK energy sector and founder of Cornwall Insight, sadly passed away on 16 July 2025. His career, spanning more than three decades, was defined by a deep commitment to energy market reform, policy innovation, and community empowerment.
At a young age Nigel moved to Blackpool where he was educated and which laid the foundation for his intellectual curiosity and academic excellence. He went on to earn a place at Oxford University to read history, where he developed the analytical skills that would later shape his career in energy policy and governance.
Nigel began his professional career as a civil servant in the UK Department for Trade and Industry, contributing to the landmark Energy Act 1983 and playing a pivotal role in the UK’s electricity market restructuring. He was instrumental in the vesting process that led to the creation of the National Grid and the liberalisation of the electricity sector. Nigel subsequently moved into industry with National Grid working in both Britain and New Zealand.
In 1998, he founded Cornwall Consulting, which evolved into Cornwall Insight—a firm that would become one of the UK’s most respected energy consultancies. From a one-person operation, he grew the company into a team of over 80 professionals. The firm became known for its rigorous analysis, regulatory insight and strategic guidance across the energy landscape.
Nigel was never happier than when working closely with colleagues to direct, edit and write much of the content for Energy Spectrum, after 20 years still Cornwall Insight’s flagship bulletin, regularly giving up his weekends to see that it was never late issuing on a Monday lunchtime. In the late 2000s, Energy Spectrum became known for its incisive, pro-competition commentary, offering clarity and conviction at a time when the UK energy industry was consolidating rapidly and belief in liberalisation was waning. Such was Nigel’s outstanding reputation and his relationships with key figures across the sector that Energy Spectrum often contained opinions from leading figures including Professor Stephen Littlechild.
In 2005, he launched the Energy Supplier Forum, a collaborative platform that gave the then very few independent suppliers a voice in shaping market reform. He also created and led the acclaimed training courses “Understanding NETA” and “Getting BETTA”, held for many years at Coombe Abbey, which helped hundreds of professionals understand the evolving market structures and regulatory frameworks. His governance contributions were equally significant. Nigel served as an elected panel member and later as a board member of Elexon, the body responsible for managing the Balancing and Settlement Code (BSC) in the GB electricity market. His insights and leadership helped shape the evolution of market governance and code reform, particularly during periods of major regulatory change.
Nigel was also instrumental in securing two major investments that helped Cornwall Insight scale its impact and reach. Later in his career, Nigel founded New Anglia Energy, a consultancy dedicated to decentralised and decarbonised energy innovation in Norfolk and Suffolk. “It’s a pleasure to get back to focusing on things that I enjoy,” he said in a 2023 interview, “such as changing programmes and pushing the change agenda.”
Nigel’s influence extended internationally, with contributions to energy sector reform in Australia, New Zealand, where he was resident in the 1990s, the Philippines and Malaysia. He specialised in market design, governance, and the role of network operators in deregulated systems. Nigel was held in great affection by many colleagues, both current and former, whose careers he helped nurture and develop while laying the foundations for Cornwall Insight. His belief in inclusivity, in sharing opportunities that all could work for, and in creating a company culture rooted in engagement and ownership are the foundations that continue at Cornwall Insight today. Across the whole sector his warmth and intellect left a lasting impression on those who had the privilege of spending time with him.
