Leading a UX Workshop at the SSE Leadership Conference

Yesterday, we had the privilege of delivering the opening workshop at the annual SSE Leadership Conference, hosted at the iconic W5 in Belfast. With a packed room and an ambitious agenda, the energy was electric from the very start.

Our session focused on User Experience (UX) - what it means in practice, why it matters, and how it can unlock better solutions when applied with clarity, speed and collaboration.

The SSE senior management team came ready to roll up their sleeves. In just a short window of time, they tackled challenges head-on, collaborated seamlessly on storyboarding and produced a wave of exciting ideas. The creativity and teamwork on display were nothing short of inspiring.

It’s proof that when you mix the right framework with an engaged group of people, you can generate real, tangible value (even within aggressive timeframes).

Why UX Matters in Leadership

UX isn’t just about pixels and prototypes. At its heart, it’s about understanding people - their challenges, needs and goals - and designing solutions that work for them. By embedding UX thinking into leadership conversations, companies like SSE can make better decisions, innovate faster and create experiences that truly serve their customers.

The entire conference was a reminder of the power of collaboration, creativity and clarity. We left the day energised and inspired, proud to have played a role in shaping conversations about the future of experience design in one of the UK’s most forward-thinking companies.

Workshops like this prove that great ideas don’t have to take months. With the right tools, the right people and the right energy, they can happen in a single morning.

Special Thanks

A huge thank you to the entire SSE team for inviting us in and for throwing yourselves into the process. Special recognition goes to Angeline Murphy, Ashley Morrow, Ashley Keating and David Manning for orchestrating such a well-run event. Also, to Joe Wilson of Catalyst for the recommendation and to Alan Branagh, for his own unique workshop.

And of course, hats off to Gareth Fisher, who was instrumental in helping facilitate the workshop and keeping the momentum high throughout.

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