International innovation broker, the Energy Innovation Centre (EIC) has appointed the former chief executive of Eon, Tony Cocker as its new chairman.
Cocker, who was also appointed as independent chairman at Affinity Water earlier this year, will succeed Mark Horsley, chief executive at Northern Gas Networks (NGN).
Horsley served as the EIC’s chairman between 2014 and 2017 and during his time doubled the number of innovation projects the organisation delivers.
Cocker brings more than 20 years’ experience from the energy sector to his new role, having retired as chief executive of Eon UK in July last year, a position he held since September 2011.
Prior to which he held several management positions within the energy company including chairman of the management board of Eon Energy Trading SE (in Düsseldorf) and managing director of the Energy Wholesale and Energy Trading divisions of Eon UK.
Cocker, who took up his role at the EIC on 1 March, said: “I am privileged to take up the role of EIC chairman at such an important time for the organisation. I strongly endorse the EIC’s values and have been impressed by the successes achieved through their collaborative innovation model.
“I look forward to supporting them to drive forward their mission of helping utilities companies to implement cutting-edge innovation in order to ultimately improve the quality of people’s lives.”
Denise Massey, Energy Innovation Centre managing director, added: “Tony will bring a wealth of commercial and customer experience gained from leading a major energy supplier which will enable us to deliver sustainable benefits to energy customers and our stakeholders.
“It’s an exciting time for the EIC – and with Tony on board we are confident that we can fulfil our ambitions and bring about positive change for the energy industry, energy consumers and beyond.”
The EIC has been linking its industry partners with innovators to accelerate innovation across the energy sector for ten years. It recently launched a five-year strategic plan that will see the company grow its innovation community and become a digital business. It aims to build on “the success” of welcoming new partners from outside the energy industry and beyond UK shores.
Horsley said: “The EIC provides a unique engagement forum for NGN, as a gas distributor, to source expertise from a diverse group of businesses. It’s an invaluable partnership that brings industry and innovators together, and one that ultimately benefits the customer as well as business.
“I thoroughly enjoyed my time as chairman, seeing the EIC thrive and go from strength to strength thanks to the fantastic team and Denise’s inspirational leadership.
“I would like to wish Tony every success in the role and I can’t wait to see what the EIC evolves to next.”
Cocker walked away with Utility Week’s Industry Champion Award in December 2017. He is currently chair of the renewable energy generator company, Infinis Energy Management and is also governor and deputy chairman of Warwick Independent Schools Foundation.