Former National Grid chair joins green gas firm

“Visionary” shareholders have bridged commercial “chasm” for the Advanced Plasma Power’s technology

Sir John Parker, the former chair of National Grid, has now been named chairman of Advanced Plasma Power (APP).

APP specialises in technology for the production of green gas and recently partnered with Cadent (formerly National Grid Gas Distribution) to begin construction of the world’s first commercially operating plant for the conversion of household waste into green gas.

On his appointment, Parker said he was “delighted” to join the board of APP at an “exciting time in the company’s evolution”.

He added that the firm is “precisely the type of SME that our industrial strategy should be nurturing and supporting,” and praised the way its “visionary shareholders” had allowed the firm to “transcend the commercialisation chasm and ultimately provide a real boost to the UK economy”.

Representing the founding shareholders at APP, Paris Moayedi said he was “thrilled” to have Parker on board. “I couldn’t think of a better candidate for this role.”

The firm’s chief executive Rolf Stein added that “Advanced Plasma Power is exceptionally well positioned for the rapidly emerging and significant global opportunity to supply technology for de-carbonising the heat and transport sectors.”

Parker will play a “critical role” in helping APP achieve its potential, said Stein.

In addition to his role with APP, Parker is also chair of Pennon Group, which owns waste management company Viridor. He is also due to become chair of construction firm Laing O’Rourke this year.

He will work alongside David Parkin, network strategy director at Cadent, who has also been freshly appointed to the board of APP.

This story first appeared on the website of Utility Week’s sister publication, Network.