People and skills

Sharma replaces Leadsom as BEIS secretary

Alok Sharma has been appointed as the new secretary of state for business, energy and industrial strategy, replacing Andrea Leadsom who has been sacked from the cabinet. He will also serve as minister for COP26, taking on all the responsibilities of president of the UN climate change conference. George Eustice replaces Theresa Villiers as environment secretary.

Centrica announces interim chairman as Berry takes leave of absence

Centrica chairman Charles Berry is taking a leave of absence due to an “unanticipated medical condition". The interim chairman is expected to be in place for the next few weeks.

Yorkshire speaks for the many, not the few

Yorkshire Water's rejection of Ofwat's final determination on its 2020-2025 business plan, triggering a referral to the CMA, has lit the touch paper on what was already an explosive situation. But will the fire spread? Ruth Williams investigates whether the company's concerns represent a wider rebellion across the sector.

Weekend press round-up: Sambhi tipped as frontrunner for next Centrica CEO

British Gas owner Centrica is expected to report a dip in profits after being hit by the price cap when it posts its preliminary results on Thursday. Meanwhile there are reports that Sarwjit Sambhi, head of its consumer business, is the front-runner in the contest to take over from Iain Conn as chief executive.

Severn Trent director moves to Cadent

UU chief financial officer to retire; Moodys predicts lower penalties

A week after United Utilities accepted its final determination, it has announced the departure of its chief financial officer. Meanwhile, Moodys has set out its predictions for the company including lower penalties and the impact of transitioning to CPIH-linked assets value

Ex-Ofwat chief to lead regulation council

Scarsella to remain at UKPN after withdrawing from Thames talks

Basil Scarsella has confirmed he will not be seeking the role of chief executive at Thames Water, for personal reasons. However, he told Utility Week he remains fully committed to his current role heading up UK Power Networks.

Greg Clark appointed select committee chair

The ex-business and energy secretary of state has taken on a new parliamentary role

Energy UK announces new chief executive

Emma Pinchbeck will begin on a part-time basis in July before taking up the role on a full-time basis in September. She has been deputy chief executive of Renewable UK since 2016.

Ovo Energy makes three senior appointments

Ovo has appointed a new chief operating officer, chief finance officer and chief people officer for its retail business. The company made the appointments following the completion of the £500 million deal to acquire SSE's retail arm.

RAPID leader announced

EA's deputy director of water resources has been named as the managing director of the inter-regulatory group RAPID that will work to overcome current barriers to major infrastructure projects in the English water sector.

Water firms failing to show link between bonus and performance

Mark Carney to be COP26 finance advisor

In his new role, the outgoing governor of the Bank of England, will be tasked with helping the government “mobilise ambitious action” from investors and businesses ahead of the climate change summit, being held in Glasgow in November.

Climate assembly panels finalised

Leading academics together with figures from industry, the environmental movement and thinktanks have been named as advisors for the upcoming citizen’s assembly on climate change.