On the move: Electricity North West, Sagacity, Clancy

Our latest round-up of appointments across the utilities sectors includes senior moves at Electricity North West and Sagacity, as well as changes at Clancy.

Electricity North West

Electricity North West has strengthened its executive leadership team with two new appointments.

Paul Killilea joins the organisation as asset and investment director, while Dave Roberts joins as the new digital and technology director.

The two newly-created roles complete a refresh of Electricity North West’s leadership team.

Ian Smyth, Electricity North West’s chief executive, said: “As the region embarks on the journey to net zero the electrification of plant and transport will increase at pace. Electricity North West will invest significantly over the coming years to support that electrification, creating new jobs and supporting the regional economy.

“Working in tandem with the rest of the executive team, Paul and Dave will ensure our systems and services are aligned to the needs of our domestic and business customers so that we can deliver the sustainable economic growth our consumers and stakeholders demand and deserve.”

Killilea joins the business from engineering firm Wood Power Solutions and will be charged with the planning and delivery of the ongoing investment programme. He has significant experience in utilities, having worked for United Utilities, Balfour Beatty and Carillion Utilities.

Meanwhile Roberts joins Electricity North West from UK Power Networks and has previously held senior positions at Aviva and RSA Insurance.

These new appointments complement the recent appointments of chief financial officer Chris Johns, and strategy and growth director Ben Grunfeld.

Sagacity

Sagacity has announced Ian Peters as its new chairman.

Former managing director of British Gas, Peters has held a strategic advisory role at Sagacity since 2018.

In recent years, he has also been an investor and chair of several fast-growing technology and data centric private equity owned businesses.

Peter also currently holds chair positions at the UK Health Security Agency, Legal & General Affordable Homes and IMServ Limited.

Anita Dougall, chief executive of Sagacity said: “It is an exciting time for Sagacity as we continue to grow, and Ian’s experience and leadership forms a significant part of this.”

“Ian’s knowledge and experience will ensure we continue to understand the ever-changing needs of the sectors we serve, continually develop our solutions and services and help us to deliver our growth strategy.”

Peters added: “I am delighted to become Sagacity’s Chair […] I will steer the business to ensure that our existing and future clients receive tangible benefits, innovative solutions, and substantial return on their investment.”

Clancy

Clancy has appointed Tom McGinness as an independent non-executive director.

McGinness has served as a senior partner for KPMG for 26 years, leading the firm’s tax advisory services for privately and family-owned businesses.

He also held the role of the firm’s global chair of family business for five years from 2018 and is now global leader of ESG for KPMG Private Enterprise.

He also worked at Wates Group, the Bestway Group and McLaren Automotive Limited.

Kevin Clancy, chairman at Clancy, said: “Tom’s wealth of experience in advising family businesses on ESG and business planning will be extremely valuable in further bolstering the skills and expertise of the board as we continue to grow our business. Tom has worked closely with us over the past couple of years in his role at KPMG and his new role will be a great opportunity to build on this relationship.

“Our country’s infrastructure faces significant challenges, from unpredictable rainfall, rising temperatures, a growing population and the need to decarbonise our networks while maintaining affordability for customers. Clancy is in a good position to support our clients in managing these headwinds, and the board plays a vital role in ensuring the right investment and decisions are in place to allow us to work as trusted partners for the long term.”

McGinness added: “Over recent years, I’ve been able to get to know the Clancy business and its people through my work at KPMG and I’m delighted now to expand that role as a non-executive director.

“Clancy is at an exciting point in its history, having transitioned smoothly and effectively to its third generation of leadership.

“The nature of a family business provides a unique opportunity to take a long-term view on strategy – planning not just a few years ahead, but decades – and I’m looking forward to playing a part in continuing that success.”

Hy2gen

Hy2gen, the global project developer, financier, builder, owner, and operator of plants for the production of renewable hydrogen and hydrogen-based e-fuels, has appointed Paolo Donadio as head of centre of competence engineering.

Donadio, who has extensive experience in the energy sector, previously worked at Bertsch as a construction manager for power plants, and at INP as technical lead in the hydrogen sector, focusing on PEM electrolysis.

Donadio said: “I’m thrilled to start my journey at Hy2gen and look forward to working with this exceptional team of experts. The engineering tasks for the complex plants we are currently planning are challenging.

“Power-to-X technologies are key components in the energy transition, closing the gap between electrification and burning fuel in a jet or a ship, which makes them so valuable for lowering carbon emissions on a global scale. I’m really eager to contribute my skills to the company and to have the opportunity to shape the energy economy of the future.”

Bernd Hübner, Hy2gen’s chief financial officer, added: “We are happy to have Paolo on board. With his many years of experience in engineering in the hydrogen sector, we are now ideally positioned to drive forward our major projects and the further development of our engineering team.”