Duncan Sedgwick is chief executive of the Energy Retail Association (ERA), which was established in 2003 and represents Britain's major household energy suppliers. During the last two years, the high profile of this sector has generated widespread political and media interest in the views of the Association.

Before setting up the ERA, Sedgwick held a variety of senior positions in Powergen, including Director of Business Transformation and Director of Retail Mass Markets. He has also held posts such as Chairman of the Learning & Skills Council, Chair of Race for Opportunity in the East Midlands and the Citizens Advice Bureau for the East Midlands.

The ERA represents the common interests of its six member companies and their customers; British Gas, EDF Energy, RWEnpower, Eon Powergen, Scottish and Southern Energy, and ScottishPower. Its mandate includes developing policy for the industry on issues as varied as energy efficiency to fuel poverty and future technology such as smart meters.