Partner Article

Getting to know... Aaron Lally

We know you as the founder of VEST Energy and a member of the Entrepreneurs’ Forum, but who is the person behind the title? Tell us a little about what makes you tick…
At heart, I’m a trader. I love numbers, I love strategy,and I get a real buzz from making fast, high-stakes decisions. I’ve always been driven by the challenge of pushing boundaries and figuring out how to make meaningful change happen, whether that’s in the energy markets or in the way we build businesses. I’m passionate about building strong, high-performing teams and seeing what’s possible when the right people are aligned around a mission. Outside of work, my two big loves are boxing and rugby. Both keep me grounded, focused and constantly learning. I’m also a proud dad, which gives everything else I do that bit more perspective.

Did you always want to work in your industry?
Not exactly. I didn’t grow up thinking “I want to go into energy markets,” but I’ve always been fascinated by how systems interact. I started out in finance, working in trading in London, and I loved the buzz of it. The intensity, the pace, the decision-making under pressure. There’s a unique camaraderie in that world that really shaped how I think and lead today. Over time, I became more drawn to the energy sector because it felt like one of the biggest challenges of our generation: how do we move from fossil fuels to a smarter, cleaner, more resilient energy system? Once I realised I could combine my trading background with making a real-world impact, I was all in.

What’s the best bit about your job? And the worst?
The best part is easy - it’s building something meaningful with brilliant people. Every day at VEST, I get to work alongside a team who care deeply about the energy transition and bring energy (pardon the pun!) to the mission. The hardest part is probably switching off. When you run a business that’s also your passion, your brain doesn’t care if its weekends or holidays - but I’m learning to get better!

What do you consider to be your greatest achievement?
Professionally, launching VEST and watching it grow into a respected name in energy markets has been a huge source of pride. But beyond business metrics, it’s seeing the impact of our work, helping community organisations and businesses use cleaner power, making battery storage more accessible and contributing in some small way to a greener future. Personally, it’s building a life with my family.

How do you relax outside of work?
With two small children, there’s not a huge amount of ‘down time’ so when I do get a quiet moment, it’s pretty much a mini holiday! Boxing is my go-to for switching off and blowing off steam. I’ve also come to learn than an uninterrupted (hot!) coffee is a luxury and I’ll happily spend time hanging out with friends and family whenever I can. It’s nothing wild (pretty boring actually) but those simple things matter when life’s moving fast.

What makes the North East such a great place to live and work?
The mix of coastline, countryside and culture is unbeatable. There’s a down-to-earth energy here that makes collaboration easy and community strong. People care and from a business perspective, there’s a growing ecosystem of innovation, especially in energy and tech. It’s a region with real industrial heritage and a forward-looking spirit. That combination is powerful.

Tell us something about you we didn’t know…
As a kid, I was obsessed with WWE. I never missed an episode. The over-the-top drama, the entrances, the characters, I loved it all. I knew all the storylines and could probably still reel off a few finishing moves if you asked. It might not seem obvious, but I think that early love of spectacle and strategy probably played a small part in shaping how I think today: big vision, bold moves and a bit of theatre!

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Entrepreneurs' Forum .