Chairman Lord Smith of Kelvin praised Marchant for presiding over above-inflation dividend rises, improved services and renewables development. “The company has been transformed in scale and scope,” under Marchant’s leadership, said Smith.
Marchant said that after ten years, “the time is right for a change for both SSE and me. I am sure that SSE will continue to go from strength to strength under Alistair’s leadership. As for me, I am looking forward to new challenges – whatever they may be.”
Phillips-Davies’ succession follows rapidly on the heels of his promotion to deputy chief executive last year. He had been on the board since 2002, when he was made energy supply director, having joined SSE’s predecessor Southern Electric in 1997.
Finance director Gregor Alexander is to have an expanded role deputising for the new chief executive.