Peters, who is currently the managing director of British Gas Residential Energy, will assume the role of managing director of British Gas on 1 December.
Current British Gas managing director Chris Weston leaves the company at the end of the year having tendered his resignation in May.
Peters will hold the post on an interim basis until a permanent replacement is sought under the leadership of the incoming Centrica chief executive, Iain Conn, who will join the company on 1 January 2015.
On Peter’s appointment, Centrica chairman Rick Haythornthwaite said: “Ian has deep industry knowledge and experience, and is well placed to assume this role on a transitional basis, as we seek a permanent replacement under Iain Conn’s new leadership.”
Peters said: “It will be a privilege to lead the company through this transitional period.
“Customers are at the heart of our business, and we will continue our strategy of investing in service and innovation, to help our customers understand and control their energy use, and keep their bills down.
“I look forward to working with the leadership team over the coming months at a time of intense competition in our sector.”
A number of other management changes have been announced: Stephen Beynon, currently managing director of British Gas Business, has been appointed to the role of managing director of British Gas Residential Energy. Stuart Rolland, currently chief operations officer, steps into the role of managing director of British Gas Business. Matthew Bateman, currently managing director of British Gas Service and Repair, will now lead British Gas Residential Services.