Centrica chairman Charles Berry is taking a leave of absence due to an “unanticipated medical condition”, the company has confirmed this afternoon (12 February).
A company spokesperson told Utility Week that Berry is expected to be back within weeks.
In the meantime Scott Wheway, chair of the company’s remuneration committee, will be acting as interim chairman.
A statement issued by the British Gas owner today said: “We wish him well and expect him to return to his duties shortly.”
Berry joined the board as a non-executive director on 31 October 2018 and became chairman of the board and nominations committee on 21 February last year.
The energy giant, which serves around 7 million households in the UK, is in the process of appointing a new chief executive to replace incumbent Iain Conn when he steps down later this year.
Centrica will announce its preliminary financial results for 2019 tomorrow (13 February).