Eon UK has announced Chris Norbury as its new chief executive, replacing Michael Lewis who is leaving the company after three decades.
Norbury, who is currently Eon UK’s chief people officer, will take the helm on 1 June after Lewis departs for Germany where he will become chief executive of Uniper.
Eon’s incoming chief executive joined the company in 2014 after more than 20 years in HR and transformation roles for major international organisations including Eon SE, EDF and Unilever. He became chief people officer in 2018.
Commenting on his appointment, he said: “I am delighted to be appointed to lead Eon UK and what I already know to be an excellent team. It’s a fantastic time to take on this challenge and a real privilege to follow Michael.
“Energy is central to people’s lives and that brings an incredible responsibility. There are real challenges as we all know – in the short term making energy more affordable and, longer term, the urgent need to decarbonise our economy.
“We can only tackle these challenges together: supporting our customers, making best use of digital technologies to drive the energy transition so people can better afford energy, understand it and benefit from it.”
Patrick Lammers, chief operating officer – commercial at Eon SE, said: “I am sure that Chris and the UK board, with its extensive experience and great commitment, will continue to build on the platform of successful transformation in the UK to grow the business and guide colleagues as the UK continues to lead the energy transition.
“I would also like to take the opportunity to thank Michael Lewis for his great work and extraordinary commitment over the past 30 years.”
Lewis said: “I am delighted that Chris is to succeed me as UK CEO. I have worked with him for many years and I know his commitment to developing our company, and particularly the people at the heart of serving our customers, will stand Eon in good stead for the challenges that lie ahead.
“Among the many highlights of my time at Eon are building the UK’s first offshore wind farm, leading the industry in offering 100% renewable electricity to all our domestic customers as standard and at no extra cost, and, more recently, transforming our supply business and creating our new Eon Next brand.
“My sadness in leaving is tempered only by the knowledge that I leave behind an excellent team who are committed to improving peoples’ lives.”
Utility Week recently spoke to Michael Lewis about his career and tenure as Eon’s chief executive. You can read the full interview here.