Over the past week, the industry has seen several companies, including big six energy provider Scottish Power, announce new appointments.
The energy giant has appointed its first ever head of climate change and sustainability in a bid to meet its net zero targets.
Utility Week takes a look in detail at some of the moves that have taken place within the sector this week.
Business Stream
Edinburgh based water retailer Business Stream has appointed Douglas McLaren, the former chief operating officer of Castle Water, to the same role.
In a new role for the business, McLaren will oversee customer service, operations, people and development, IT and the company’s change programme, when he joins at the end of the month.
He spent just over a year at Castle Water, and before that was UK operations director for Scottish Power Energy Retail.
He will report directly into Business Stream’s chief executive, Jo Dow, who said: “I’m delighted to welcome Douglas to Business Stream. His appointment will add a great deal of experience to the company and further bolster our senior leadership team as we enter the next phase of our ambitious growth strategy.”
McLaren said: “I am very excited to be joining Business Stream. As one of the key players in the UK market, I am looking forward to supporting the company to achieve its ambitious plans for the future, with a particular focus on helping to deliver its transformation programme.”
Energy UK
This week the energy sector learned of the impending departure of Energy UK’s chief executive Lawrence Slade.
He has been involved in the energy industry since the late 1990s, working around the world.
In a statement accompanying the announcement of his departure, Slade said: “After 9 enjoyable years at Energy UK engaging with three prime ministers, five secretary of states and many energy and climate change ministers, it is time for me to move to pastures new.”
Scottish Power
Big six energy provider Scottish Power has announced the appointment of former deputy director of WWF Scotland Dr Sam Gardner as head of climate change and sustainability.
The newly created role will see Gardner work to develop and implement initiatives to help the company transition to net zero.
Gardner has previous roles working with the Scottish Environment Protection Association (SEPA) and RSPB Scotland.
Keith Anderson, Scottish Power chief executive, said in response: “Scottish Power is on the road to delivering net zero, having left coal and gas generation behind in January.
“As part of this drive I’m delighted to welcome Sam to the team and look forward to him challenging people across Scottish Power as a positive and disruptive force as we ramp up our programme to decarbonise the economy.”
Leep Utilities
Multi-utility platform Leep Utilities has expanded its Northern team with the appointment of Ben Heath as project leader for the North.
Heath joins Leep from BGS Utilities where he worked a senior project manager since 2015.
His new role will see him responsible for overseeing delivery on the Northern sites, ensuring contractors are adhering to standards and providing the right documentation and then being the final point of call before the sites are energised.
Heath is the 50th employee to be employed by Leep, which has reported a 350 per cent increase in staff since the business launched in 2017.