In our latest round-up of industry appointments a former Npower chief takes up a new role on the board of disruptor brand Igloo Energy – his first role with a supplier since 2012. Meanwhile six years since he founded the organisation, Richard Black has stepped down from the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit.
Utility Week takes a look at some of the latest movements from across the sector.
Igloo Energy
Disruptor brand Igloo Energy has appointed former Npower boss Volker Beckers to its board as non-executive chairman.
Beckers, who left the large supplier in 2012, has more than 25 years’ experience in senior positions across the sector. His appointment marks his first role with an energy supplier since leaving Npower.
Beckers’ non-executive portfolio spans across the private and public sectors as well as academia and work with charities, with a key focus on energy and adjacent sectors.
Igloo, which was founded in 2017 and currently supplies more than 130,000 customers, says Beckers’ wealth of experience in both the UK and abroad means he will be able to advise on the company’s strategy as it seeks to scale rapidly yet sustainably.
Furthermore, the supplier added, his background in technology will support the development of Igloo’s home services arm, Igloo Works.
Beckers said: “I am passionate about driving an energy sector which is fit for the future. With technology set to play an integral part in this evolution, Igloo Energy is a natural fit for my skill set and passion.
“This is an incredibly exciting time for both the energy industry and Igloo, full of challenge and promise. We need energy solutions which support people in reducing their carbon footprint whilst protecting their finances and are easy to use. This is exactly where Igloo delivers.”
Igloo co-founder and chief executive Matt Clemow said: “We are privileged to be able to support our customers in reducing their energy use and so their carbon footprint. Volker’s experience will be invaluable as we look to scale as an energy supplier and roll out alternative heating technologies to customers’ homes at scale. Volker has both the vision and the expertise to support us in achieving our goals.”
Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU)
ECIU deputy director Peter Chalkley has been confirmed as the successor to director and founder Richard Black who announced he was stepping down before Christmas.
Black, who set up the organisation in 2014, will continue to work with ECIU as a senior associate until the COP26 climate summit in November, whilst also pursuing other projects in the climate space.
The non-profit organisation, which was founded to support informed debate on energy and climate change issues in the UK, has worked to support journalists, parliamentarians and other communicators with accurate and accessible briefings on key issues.
Commenting on his departure, Black said: “It has been an incredible privilege to lead ECIU through a period of phenomenal change – from a time when evidence on climate change and decarbonisation was routinely under attack in the UK through to the present day, where the nation has a world-leading net zero target in law, is preparing to host a seminal UN climate summit, and where this is all backed by a substantial majority of the population.
“ECIU is nothing without its people and my deepest thanks go to everyone who’s been a part of it – the team itself, the incredible advisory board, and the extended group of ‘friends’ we’ve made along the way.
“No-one has been more essential to ECIU’s success than Pete Chalkley – we set the organisation up together, and I have every confidence that under Pete’s leadership ECIU will go on to even bigger and better things.”
Chalkley described Black as a “towering figure” in climate communications, as well as a “passionate promoter” of science.
He added: “As a former journalist, with extensive experience of covering climate change and UN climate summits, Richard appreciated the challenge and complexity of reporting on the climate story’s myriad angles.
“His vision for ECIU as a means of supporting informed debate and the journalism that underpins that remains so very relevant today as the UK hosts COP26 and embarks on its multifaceted journey to net zero emissions.
“We are hugely grateful for Richard’s incisive mind, boundless energy and good humour. We look forward to working with him in his new role.”
Leep Utilities
Multi-utility network owner and operator Leep Utilities has appointed Annette Hardcastle as director of customer operations.
Hardcastle, who was most recently head of collections operations at British Gas, has more than 12 years’ experience within the utilities sector. 
Her new role will see her oversee all client relationships from the on-boarding process, through to billing, customer service enquiries and collections.
Managing director of Leep Utilities, Louise Manfredi, said: “With a strong background within the industry, Annette is extremely well placed to lead on our customer relations and will be a great advocate for the business. We pride ourselves on providing only the very best customer service to our clients and we know this will only improve with her on board.”
Hardcastle added: “I’m really happy to be joining the Leep Utilities team, they’re renowned within the industry for providing great customer care and to be able to spearhead this going forward will be fantastic. The team have made me feel so welcome already and I’m thrilled to be joining the business at such an exciting time.”