Our latest round-up of appointments across the utilities sectors includes former Centrica chief executive Iain Conn taking on a new role, Pennon appointing a chief operating officer and a new addition to the senior team at So Energy.
Pennon Group
The parent company of South West, Bristol and Bournemouth water companies, has appointed John Hassall as chief operating officer.
Hassall, who joins from Network Rail where he was managing director for the southern region, previously spent 17 years with Thames Water.
He was director of water services at Thames until 2004, when he moved to the rail operator.
Chief executive Susan Davy said: “I am delighted that we have been able to attract someone with John’s experience and talent to Pennon and I know the skills and knowledge he brings will be a real asset to us and our teams.”
Engineering UK
Former Centrica chief executive, Iain Conn, has been appointed as the next chair of the not-for-profit group from October, when Malcolm Brinded steps down after seven years in the role.
Conn brings energy sector executive experience including the five years to 2020 he led Centrica, as well as BP where Con was managing director for a decade within his 29 years with the organisation.
He said: “If the UK is to benefit from what engineering and technology have to offer, enabling economic prosperity and helping to solve tomorrow’s challenges including tackling climate change, we need a highly diverse workforce that boosts innovation, creativity and insight. I’m passionate about engineering, education and supporting young people into fulfilling careers and am therefore delighted to be joining EngineeringUK at a time when its mission to inspire more young people from all backgrounds into engineering and technology is more important than ever.”
So Energy
The challenger retailer’s chief financial officer Shane Casey has moved into a role with parent company ESB with Iain McGregor named as his successor. Casey had held the position since August 2021 when ESB merged with So Energy, prior to which he was finance and commercial manager within ESB for more than five years.
McGregor has spent more than nine years working in various financial roles within ESB including finance business partner for the past three years.