Northern Ireland’s Utility Regulator chief executive Jenny Piper has announced she will retire in the Autumn after almost seven years in the role.
Utility Regulator has not yet announced her successor but said the process to recruit a new CEO will begin shortly.
Pyper will facilitate a short handover period once her successor has been appointed.
She said: “After almost seven years of challenging but very fulfilling work as Utility Regulator chief executive, I have decided now is the right time for me to step down.
“I would like to thank my wonderful colleagues, both the UR team and the board. I am very proud of what we have achieved together to protect the interests of energy and water consumers in Northern Ireland.
“I have agreed to stay until the Autumn to enable the appointment of my successor and to facilitate a short handover period. Until then I remain fully focused on progressing major regulatory price control reviews and other significant strategic challenges, including input to a new energy strategy for Northern Ireland.”
The Northern Ireland regulator covers the country’s electricity, gas, water and sewerage sectors. It has responsibility for compliance and network operations, finance and network assets, wholesale, retail and consumer protection and corporate affairs.
Bill Emery, chairman of the Utility Regulator board, said Pyper had transformed the organisation into a more “outward looking and collaborative regulator”.
He said: “Jenny has been an outstanding chief executive and we are really sorry that she is stepping down but fully respect her decision to do so.
“During her seven years at the Utility Regulator she has transformed the organisation into a more outward looking and collaborative regulator while robustly protecting Northern Ireland’s energy and water consumers.
“The delivery of a new cross border wholesale electricity market worth over £2 billion, which went live in 2018, is testament to her inspiring leadership. She has also overseen the impressive growth in the natural gas network across Northern Ireland and the investment necessary to meet government renewable generation targets.
“Under her stewardship the Utility Regulator has also demonstrated its effectiveness in ensuring high performance from regulated companies. Additionally, enforcement activities have secured financial penalties of £720,000 and charitable donations to fuel poverty charities of almost £750,000.
“We would like to thank Jenny for her fantastic leadership and commitment. I would also like to thank her for agreeing to stay until the Autumn while we progress the recruitment of a successor.”