In the latest sector round-up: a BEIS director is to join Aurora Energy Research; Thames continues its directorial shuffle with a new engineering director; and Portsmouth Water creates chief customer officer role.
Dan Monzani, current director for energy security, networks and markets at the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has been named as Aurora Energy Research’s managing director for the UK and Ireland. Monzani, who spent 18 years in government, will join the data analytics group in the newly created role from September. He has held senior energy roles at BEIS and in the Cabinet Office including as policy and analytical advisor to senior ministers in energy systems and market design. He said: “This is an exciting time for the energy market in UK and Ireland where data-driven intelligence has never been more important. I’m looking forward to working with some of the leading businesses in the sector who are transforming how energy is produced, distributed and used in the UK and Ireland.”
Thames Water’s top team has seen another change under chief executive Sarah Bentley with the appointment of Caroline Sheridan as engineering and asset director. Sheridan has worked at Transport for London (TfL) as engineering technical authority and asset strategy lead, creating its first long-term approach to asset management. She will join Thames after the summer when John Beaumont steps down from the role following four years with the company. At TfL, she created a 25-year asset strategy and has been responsible for the delivering £400 million of asset investment per year; prior to TfL Sheridan was project manager at Heathrow’s T5 construction.
The company is creating a new business unit to expand its renewable energy activities and open up more green spaces. This will be led by Tony Vasishta, who will be managing director of ventures from July.
Portsmouth Water has strengthened its commitment to customer service with the appointment of seasoned customer experience strategist Matthew Hamilton. Hamilton comes from mobile phone operator Three UK where he oversaw customer experience for the 5G launch. He will join the water company in newly created role of chief customer officer to focus on vulnerability, PR24, and the organisation’s digital revolution.
The Energy Institute Council has welcomed former UK energy minister Charles Hendry and Octopus Energy chief executive Greg Jackson to its governing council. The newest members will be vice presidents of the council.
Over the past year, the Energy Institute has seen its membership grow, in particular among young people, women and internationally, which is reflected in the council which has 54 per cent female members and 23 per cent from minority ethnic backgrounds.