On the Move: DNO appoints first female engineering director

In our latest round-up of industry appointments Electricity North West has announced the appointment of its first ever female engineering director and a former VP at Ovo has joined Utility Warehouse as its new chief commercial officer.

In the water sector, Everflow has unveiled its new dedicated chief growth officer to support its expansion into other utilities.

Electricity North West

Network operator Electricity North West (ENW) has announced that Gillian Williamson has made history as its first female engineering director.

A chartered engineer, Williamson made the step up from ENW’s strategic planning team and in her new role she will help the company deliver its £1.8 billion investment plan to lead the North West to net zero.

ENW said the appointment makes Williamson the only female engineering director out of all of the UK’s DNOs.

With more than 20 years’ industry experience, Williamson has spent a considerable amount of time in power systems consultancy where she focussed on the implications for the industry of transitioning to low carbon, including organisational requirements and the use of technology to address the challenge of network capacity.

Prior to joining ENW in 2018, Williamson spent more than two decades with engineering professional services firm WSP.

Speaking about her appointment, she said: “I am delighted to become Electricity North West’s first female engineering director.

“I’ve taken up the role at a pivotal and exciting time for the industry as we drive the technological developments and commercial approaches necessary to efficiently manage the increases and new ways our customers are using electricity.

“I am looking forward to collaborating with colleagues across the whole of the company responding to the needs of our customers’ who are making the changes on their way to net zero.

“Engineering is definitely a male-dominated industry, but my experience is that women can bring a different perspective and be just as successful. I’m proud that I can add my voice and show that so many different roles and career paths are open to women of all ages.”

Peter Emery, chief executive at Electricity North West, added: “Gillian has only been with the business for four years but whilst here, she has shown excellent strategic insight and the ability to implement change swiftly and effectively.

“Gillian is a welcome addition to our exec team at what is an extremely critical time for the network as the pace of electrification of transport and heat accelerates.”

Utility Warehouse

Multi-services provider Utility Warehouse has announced that David Walter, former VP of commercial at Ovo, has joined as the company’s chief commercial officer.

He joins the business just months after the company’s former chief operating officer Stuart Burnett took up the role as co-chief executive alongside Andrew Lindsay.

Walter has experience across both energy and telecoms and has worked at SSE and Centrica in a broad range of commercial and general management roles.

He joined Ovo after the company’s acquisition of SSE’s retail arm. As well as working on the integration of multiple teams, Walter led the development of a commercial strategy to improve retention and increase customer margins while migrating customers off legacy brands and platforms.

Prior to his time at Ovo, he was product designer at SSE where he oversaw the home services and the broadband arms of the business, driving growth strategy.

At SSE Walter moved the business from a position of zero bundle sales to leading with bundles in the majority of sales and renewal channels.

Speaking about his new role, Walter said: “My previous roles have elements that lend themselves perfectly to the Utility Warehouse model. I’m excited to bring a growth mindset to the business and work closely with the existing teams to take Utility Warehouse forward.

“I’m also excited about working closely with both Andrew and Stuart. In my role at SSE, I worked with two co-MDs and it was a dynamic I enjoyed and can’t wait to start again at Utility Warehouse.”

Stuart Burnett, co-chief executive at Utility Warehouse, said: “David’s pedigree and experience made him the perfect candidate for us. He’s worked across the industry at some of the most recognisable names and brands and the work he’s done in these places makes him a natural fit for the CCO role here.”

Everflow Water

Stockton-based Everflow Water has appointed a dedicated chief growth officer to support its expansion into other utilities.

Craig Dallison has a varied background in large multinationals and in the energy broker market where he held senior marketing and IT roles.

At Everflow, he will be responsible for driving the company’s ambitious growth plans and leading the sales, marketing and commercial functions.

He said: “My remit is as simple as it sounds, to grow the business. On a day-to-day basis, I will work alongside the sales, marketing and commercial teams to simplify things for our customers and bring our own switching software Eclipse to a wider audience.

“Alongside this I will spearhead our growth into other utilities markets and territories, to ensure that we remain one of the fastest-growing companies in Europe.”

Centrica

Centrica has announced that the group chief financial officer of Sainsbury’s, Kevin O’Byrne, has been appointed as senior independent director with effect from 1 June 2022.

O’Byrne has been a non-executive director of the company since May 2019 and is the chair of the Audit & Risk Committee, as well as a member of the Nomination Committee.

The announcement follows the company’s previous announcement that Stephen Hester, current senior independent director, will stand down at the conclusion of Centrica’s 2022 AGM having served six years on the board.

Smart Metering Systems

Tim Mortlock, former chief operating officer of Smart Metering Systems (SMS), took on the role as the company’s chief executive on 1 March.

Mortlock, who has been with the group for more than two decades, replaces Alan Foy who is also stepping down as an executive director.

Announcing the move in January Miriam Greenwood, chair of SMS, said Foy had “very much driven SMS forward, particularly over the last decade and following the group’s listing on AIM”.

Greenwood added: “The resilience of the business which Alan has played a key role in building has been particularly demonstrated over the last two years in a time of unprecedented volatility in our markets. The board wish Alan well for the future.

“Tim has been an integral part of our senior management team and worked side by side with Alan for a number of years. The board is confident that he is the right individual to succeed Alan and to continue to drive our business forward for our customers, shareholders and employees. Tim will continue to be supported by the existing executive leadership team and senior management.”