Thompson has headed the company in charge of the UK’s biggest power station since 2005. She is presiding over the conversion of half its burners to run on biomass instead of coal.
The only woman at the top of a FTSE100 energy company, Thompson’s contribution was recognised in the Queen’s birthday honours list.
Mercer has had a long career in the utility sector, holding a range of senior executive positions at Scottish Power before becoming chair of Scottish Water in 2006. He also sits on the board of Northern Ireland Electricity.
Jeremy Sainsbury picked up an OBE for services to renewable energy. Sainsbury has been the chair of Scottish Renewables since 2000 and director of consultancy Natural Power since 1999.
Thames Water operations director Robert Collington was awarded an OBE for services to consumers, with particular reference to his work during times of drought.
Another employee at the water company, senior technical engineer Clive Dickens, garnered an MBE for services to the Olympic and Paralympic Games.