The chief executive of EDF Energy has announced he will step aside in October this year and will be succeeded by Simone Rossi, a former chief financial officer at the firm.
Vincent de Rivaz has served at EDF for forty years and has helmed its UK arm since 2002.
In an internal message to staff, De Rivaz spoke of the “duty of care” he feels for the French state-backed energy giant.
He explained that an extended handover process between himself and the incoming chief executive Rossi, had been arranged to ensure the transition is a “complete success”.
De Rivaz has been an outspoken industry leader. He took a leading role in negotiations with the UK government to settle a strike price for the controversial new nuclear plant at Hinkley Point C and he has openly criticised the approach to the smart meter rollout, calling for the 2020 deadline to be scrapped.
In line with De Rivaz’s departure from EDF, further executive changes are expected at the firm.
Vincent de Rivaz is due to speak at Utility Week’s Energy Summit, 29 June. Find out more.