Phil Graham, chief executive of the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC), has announced he is stepping down from the role.
Graham, who joined the NIC when it was formed in 2015, said on Twitter that it will be a “wrench” to leave the organisation.
He added: “I’ve had a fantastic time running the NIC – with the UK’s first ever National Infrastructure Assessment, the establishment of the NIC design group and agenda-setting work on the Camkox (Cambridge-Milton Keynes-Oxford corridor) are just a few of the highlights.”
He will take up a new role as executive director for good growth at the Greater London Authority.
The NIC is now looking for its next chief executive and says the recruitment process is expected to close at the end of this month.
Origami Energy
In other appointment-related news, Origami Energy has announced that the chief technology officer of Ocado, Paul Clarke, has been appointed to its advisory board.
Origami, which provides technology platforms to the energy market, says it hopes to leverage Clarke’s experience in developing disruptive technology.
Clarke sits on a number of advisory boards including the AI Council, Robotics Growth Partnership, Robotics and AI in Extreme Environments and the Food & Drinks Sector Innovation Group.
He also chairs the CBI Innovation Council.
Wales and West Utilities
Wales and West Utilities has appointed industry expert Keith Warburton as its decarbonisation development manager.
Warburton has more than thirty years of experience in the gas and nuclear industries and will lead the company’s work on green gas, and be part of its energy strategy team, working to meet the 2050 net zero target.
He has previously held roles within National Grid, Northern Gas Networks, SSE and, more recently, Lagoni Engineering.
A member of the Institution of Gas Engineers and Managers and former director of the Gas Industry Safety Group (GISG), Warburton will work alongside industry, academia, stakeholders and customers to deliver a “net zero ready”, low cost gas network across Wales and south west England.
Isle Utilities
Technology and innovation consultancy Isle Utilities has appointed Matthew Stephenson as its European director.
Stephenson has more than 20 years’ experience in the water sector, most recently as director of Suez Advanced Solutions UK and previously at Bristol Water.
Leep Utilities
Multi-utility platform Leep Utilities has appointed Peter Whittaker as its new technical director.
Whittaker, who has more than 35 years’ utilities experience, will be responsible for implementing robust legislative and technical processes across the business. He will also be responsible for directing onsite technical operations across electricity, gas, water and district heating projects.
Leep Utilities was formed as a joint venture between Ancala Partners LLP , an independent investment management firm and The Peel Group.