Uplight Announces Leadership Transition Following Strategic Investment From Octopus Energy Group And Schneider Electric

Uplight has announced a significant update to its executive leadership team following a recent strategic investment from the Octopus Energy Group and Schneider Electric. These changes are designed to guide the company into its next phase of growth and strengthen its role in the clean energy technology sector.

Luis D’Acosta, who has served as Uplight’s Chief Executive Officer for the last three years, will step down from his position on March 31. He will be moving into a new role as President of Schneider Electric Mexico & Central America. Beginning April 1, Hannah Bascom, currently serving as Chief Growth Officer at Uplight, will assume the role of General Manager. Once the strategic investment officially closes, a member of the executive team from Octopus Energy Group will be appointed as the new CEO of Uplight.

Alongside these leadership changes, Uplight has appointed Estelle Monod as the Executive Chair of its Board of Directors. Monod is a senior leader within Schneider Electric, bringing more than two decades of experience in mergers and acquisitions, strategic planning, and operational leadership. She has been part of Uplight’s Board for the past two years, providing key support on business strategy and acquisition efforts.

Monod expressed her appreciation for D’Acosta’s leadership during a period of major evolution for the company. She pointed out his work in bringing Uplight’s technology platforms together and integrating the flexibility management capabilities acquired through the purchase of AutoGrid. She also noted his steady guidance during negotiations for the most recent strategic investment and emphasized that Schneider Electric is pleased he will continue to contribute within its broader network.

D’Acosta shared his gratitude and pride in Uplight’s accomplishments during his tenure. He highlighted the progress the company has made in expanding its flexibility management offerings and securing the strong backing of Octopus Energy Group and Schneider Electric. He expressed confidence in the team that will continue leading the company, noting that Bascom, the existing leadership team, and Uplight employees are well prepared to guide the company forward.

As the incoming General Manager, Bascom will oversee day-to-day operations at Uplight. She brings more than 15 years of experience in clean energy, utility operations, and demand-side technology. Before entering the technology space, she led major energy efficiency programs at Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E). She later joined Google, where she managed global energy partnerships. Her work with Uplight over several years has also enabled her to build strong relationships with utilities and partners, giving her a practical understanding of the challenges they face and the innovations needed to support them.

Bascom emphasized that Uplight’s mission is becoming increasingly important as utilities try to manage rising energy demand, concerns about affordability, and the need for a more resilient power grid. With the support of Octopus Energy Group and Schneider Electric, Uplight plans to accelerate progress on its Demand Stack innovation. She expressed enthusiasm for leading the team as they work toward ambitious goals for 2026, focusing on delivering dependable results, meaningful outcomes, and ongoing innovation for clients.