On the move: Elexon appoints new chief executive

In this week’s round up of industry appointments, Elexon has a new chief executive, Centrica welcomes a new director, and Cadent’s former chief executive Chris Train joins South East Water’s board

Elexon

Simon McCalla has been appointed as Elexon’s chief executive effective from April. He previously led online sustainability platform Sedex and was chief technology officer at tech firm Nominet.

Sara Vaughan, who has been interim chief executive since November, will return to her role as a non-executive director on the Elexon board.

Elexon chair Michael Gibbons said McCalla’s wealth of business experience, his knowledge of digitalisation and data platforms will help support Elexon and drive the company forward.

Centrica

Centrica has appointed Nathan Bostock as a non-executive director with effect from May. He will also join the audit & risk committee and nominations committee.

Chairman Scott Wheway said: “Nathan brings a wealth of expertise in financial risk management at the highest level and significant commercial experience, particularly in large scale customer-facing businesses, that will be of great benefit to the board.”

Amber Rudd, non-executive director, has been appointed a member of the nominations committee with immediate effect.

South East Water

Chris Train, the ex-CEO of Cadent Gas, has joined South East Water’s board as a non-executive director and chair. Current chair Nick Salmon will step down at the end of March after seven years.

Train brings experience from utilities after leading Cadent for three years and is currently senior advisor at CT energy as well as sitting as non-executive chair of Clean Power Hydrogen and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority.

Mark McArdle will also join the board, replacing Rachel Drew as the shareholder representative.

Bristol Water

Following the completion of Pennon Group’s acquisition of Bristol Water, Susan Davy, the chief executive of Pennon, has been appointed a director of Bristol Water plc, with effect from 9 March 2022.

Bristol’s chairman Keith Ludeman said: “I am pleased to welcome Susan to the Board of Bristol Water, my fellow directors and I are looking forward to working with her.”

Renewable UK

Helen Thomas, senior stakeholder & supply chain manager at RWE’s offshore wind division, has joined trade body Renewable UK’s shadow board. The shadow board assists the organisation’s board with a wider range of views, insights and perspectives on key issues. Its members consist of senior company representatives with expertise across electrical engineering, project and stakeholder management, marketing, law, consenting, asset management, business development and public affairs.

Love Energy Savings

Utilities marketplace Love Energy Savings has brought in Clair Scott as its chief financial officer as part of a growth strategy. She has spent the past two years as finance director at Wellocks food and beverage suppliers and previously held multiple senior roles at online electrical retailer ao.com.

Love Energy Savings chief executive Phil Foster said: “Going forward we have our sights firmly set on expanding our services to provide business utilities that are simpler and cheaper for more SMEs across the UK, and having Clair as part of the team to drive that ambition is really exciting for us and our customers.”