People and skills

Utility Week launches Keeping Us Connected

UKPN’s Kellie Dillon and Kelvin Lee: Keeping Us Connected

In the first of what we hope will be many nominations from the sector, we celebrate the ingenuity in the face of adversity of two UK Power Networks (UKPN) employees, who developed and rapidly rolled out a way of helping customers cope under lockdown.

On the Move: Ovo Energy chair appointed

Former Burberry executive Stacey Cartwright is to head up the Ovo Energy board. Meanwhile, Thames has welcomed a director from Sydney Water, David Black has a new role at Ofwat and Electricity North West has created an HR director position. Utility Week presents a round-up of appointments from across the sector.

Pure Planet creates entirely digital recruitment process

O’Shea must plot a new course for Centrica

After less than a month in the role on an interim basis, Centrica’s Chris O’Shea has been confirmed as the company’s new chief executive, described by recently appointed chairman Scott Wheway as “comprehensively the best candidate”. Utility Week speaks to industry sources to find out what issues the new boss will be expected to tackle during a difficult time for the sector.

Centrica makes O’Shea permanent CEO

Centrica has confirmed Chris O’Shea as its permanent chief executive - less than a month after he assumed the role on an interim basis. Recently appointed chairman Scott Wheway said he had reviewed internal and external applicants for the role and come to the conclusion that O'Shea was "comprehensively the best candidate".

Whitehead re-appointed to Labour’s energy brief

Alan Whitehead has retained the post of shadow energy minister in Labour’s remodelled front bench Parliamentary team. As part of the reshuffle, Whitehead’s responsibility for climate change has been split off into a separate portfolio.

Coronavirus: National Grid creates ‘village of sleeping pods’ for control room staff

Coronavirus has not sidelined essential work – but exit strategy is needed

Ed Miliband returns to Labour energy brief

Ed Miliband has been appointed the new shadow secretary of state for business, energy and industrial strategy, replacing beaten leadership contender Rebecca Long-Bailey, who has moved to the education brief.

Utility apprentices moved to frontline roles

Most senior BEIS official moves on

The business, energy and industrial strategy (BEIS) department’s top official has been appointed second in command of the entire civil service.

Utility Week launches editorial board

We are pleased to introduce our new editorial board, who will help to guide our coverage in this unprecedented time of change. We have brought together a panel of experts in energy networks, retail, water, regulation, policy and innovation. They will be advising on our coverage as well as lending their voices to upcoming articles and webinars.

Squeeze on returns will leave networks ‘hunkering down’

In the first part of our interview with Cadent chief executive Steve Fraser, we discussed the company’s past performance issues and his efforts to resolve them. In the second, we move onto hydrogen conversion, the gas mains replacement programme and returns for investors.

Preparing for tomorrow’s challenges