On the Move: EDF MD to step down

In our latest round-up of sector appointments, EDF has appointed a new chair for Sizewell C, while its managing director of nuclear development, Humphrey Cadoux-Hudson, has announced his retirement.

Elsewhere in the sector, more senior members of Ovo have left the business and Outfox the Market’s founders have stepped down as directors.

EDF

Former Anglian Water chair Stephen Bllingham, who is currently chairman of nuclear fuel consortium Urenco, is being appointed in an advisory capacity and will become chair of Sizewell C  later this year.

Billingham has extensive senior experience in the nuclear industry and was chief financial officer of British Energy from 2004 to 2009. He played a key role in preparing the company for investment and its eventual acquisition by EDF.

In his new position, Billingham will lead the process to identify the future chief executive of Sizewell C. The appointment is one of several changes to the executive team for Sizewell C as the nuclear project nears a final investment decision and prepares to make the transition to being an independent company.

The Nuclear Energy Financing Bill, which will introduce a Regulated Asset Bade model for the funding of new nuclear projects, is making its way through parliament and is currently at Committee Stage in the House of Lords. The government recently announced a £100 million investment in Sizewell C to support its continued development.

EDF Energy boss Simone Rossi said: “We are putting in place all the building blocks to ensure Sizewell C’s success as an independent business attractive to investment.

“We have been working with HM government on this appointment and I am delighted that in Stephen we have been able to secure a top calibre and highly respected future chairperson for Sizewell C with a strong track record of success.”

Business secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said new nuclear is “vital for reaching net zero” and ensuring the independence of Britain’s energy supply.

He added: “The current high global gas prices demonstrate the importance of having domestic, low carbon power generation in the UK.

“By generating 7% of UK electricity, Sizewell C could help keep bills down while also reducing our carbon emissions. I look forward to working with Stephen Billingham as we continue our negotiations on this nationally important project.”

Meanwhile EDF’s managing director of nuclear development will retire after two decades with the firm.

Humphrey Cadoux-Hudson, who has held a number of positions at EDF including chief financial officer, will continue in his role until the end of June.

He said: “I am very conscious of the huge task in front for Sizewell C to raise finance and then construct and operate the plant.

“Having led the project to this stage we need now to look forward for the long-term and ensure we have the right team in place for the next phase.

“I am very grateful for all the support my teams and EDF have given me over the years and proud of what we have achieved together.”

Ovo

Elsewhere in the sector, the departures of senior figures at Ovo is continuing, with director of sustainability, Rebecca Heaton, leaving the company after just eight months in the role.

Heaton, who joined in August 2021, previously served as group head of climate change at Drax and between 2017 and 2021 as a member of the Climate Change Committee. A spokesperson for Ovo said it does not currently have a replacement lined up for her.

Heaton is one of a number of senior people who have left the company in recent months. Last week it was confirmed Ovo’s retail chief executive, Adrian Letts, was stepping down after three years in the position. Letts was succeeded by chief operating officer Raman Bhatia.

Letts’ departure was preceded by that of Ben Blake, who initially joined Ovo Energy as its chief executive but later moved to chief commercial officer. Blake stepped down in November last year and was replaced by former Tonik Energy boss Chris Russell.

Bill Castell, chief financial officer, has also left the company after joining in May 2020.

Castell resigned as a director in January this year and is returning to the telecoms sector.

Additionally the company’s director of corporate affairs Simon Maine stepped down last month after just over a year in the role.

Bulb

Meanwhile, Bulb, which entered the Special Administration Regime (SAR) last year, has appointed Npower’s former head of hedge modelling and operations Tom Eckersley as its interim head of treasury.

Prior to joining Bulb, Eckersley was head of hedging at People’s Energy, which ceased trading in September last year.

Eckersley spent almost 13 years at Npower where he held a number of roles in relation to energy hedging.

A spokesperson for the supplier told Utility Week: “Tom has joined Bulb on an interim basis to work with the finance team, ensuring Bulb is reducing costs and being as efficient as possible while we work to exit special administration.”

Foxglove Energy Supply/ Outfox the Market

Keith and Maria Bastian, the husband and wife team who founded energy retailer Outfox the Market in 2017, have resigned as directors from the business.

Keith’s brother Ken Bastian said the couple have had little to do with the day to day running of the business over the past two years, a period which has seen the company undergo major changes in response to poor customer service performance.

Ken has been working as the head of Foxglove Energy Supply, the company which trades as Outfox the Market, since 2019.

Coming in as Foxglove’s managing director is Simon Dowse who has served as the company’s head of policy and risk for four years.

“I’m staying in the same position to provide guidance as long as Simon wants me,” Ken told Utility Week.