On the Move: Kaluza appoints CEO

In our latest round-up of sector appointments, energy technology platform Kaluza has appointed a new chief executive as it targets further international expansion, while the Energy Networks Association and Northern Powergrid have both appointed new directors.

Elsewhere the former interim chief financial officer (CFO) of Tonik Energy has joined People’s Energy as its CFO.

Kaluza

Technology platform Kaluza has reiterated its overseas expansion ambitions with the appointment of a Washington DC-based chief executive.

The software as a service (SaaS) platform is expanding into the US where $2 trillion of government investment is set to bolster its clean energy economy.

Scott Neuman joins the company from SaaS company Oracle where he was senior vice president and head of Opower. Oracle acquired Opower for more than $500 million in 2016 following its IPO.

Under Neuman’s leadership, the technology business has reached 30 terawatt hours of residential energy savings through utility partnerships – equivalent to powering approximately 3 million homes for a year on green energy.

He has previously had a number of roles at Silicon Valley start-ups, as well as at large consultancies such as McKinsey.

Launching out of Ovo Energy in 2019, Kaluza employs people in both the UK and in Portugal. The company signed a licensing and investment agreement with AGL Energy, the largest retailer in Australia, in March and with ENI in France last year.

Speaking of his appointment Neuman said: “Ramping up renewable generation while electrifying heat and transport is adding new complexity to our energy systems. Kaluza is armed to solve these emerging challenges by putting customers at the heart of decarbonisation – empowering energy utilities to create innovative services that allow cheap, green energy to be flexibly stored in homes.

“I am delighted to join the business at such a pivotal moment for the global energy sector. Kaluza’s progress in the advanced UK market has been impressive to see and I am eager to unlock the platform’s potential on the world’s stage.”

Stephen Fitzpatrick, founder of OVO Group and Kaluza, said: “Scott’s years of experience and passion for the energy transition make him the perfect person to lead Kaluza in the next phase of its growth.

“As consumers all around the world begin to make the move to zero carbon living, Kaluza has a global opportunity to support the energy transition with its intelligent, real-time energy operating system.

“We are delighted to have Scott on board as Kaluza accelerates progress towards the future of energy.”

Energy Networks Association

Trade body Energy Networks Association (ENA) has announced the appointment of Paul McGimpsey as its director of markets and regulation.

His new role will see McGimpsey responsible for working on policy and regulation, including delivering efficient, secure net zero networks through the RIIO price control process.

He has 25 years of experience in the sector on commercial and regulatory matters across transmission and distribution.

Most recently he led on the development of SP Energy Networks’ whole system strategy for its RIIO-ED2 business plan.

David Smith, chief executive at ENA, said: “I’m delighted Paul has joined the team especially at such an important time for the industry.

“With a focus on markets and regulation, he’ll play a vital role in helping the networks to deliver an ever more decentralised, digitalised and decarbonised energy system.”

Northern Powergrid

Paul Glendinning has been appointed as Northern Powergrid’s new director of policy and markets, replacing Patrick Erwin.

Glendinning will join from engineering consultancy WSP where he has spent six years as head of power networks and renewables. Prior to this he served as managing director at British Power International which provides design and advisory solutions to the power sector.

Additionally he served two years as head of offshore transmission at Atkins and was design and project manager at McNicholas.

Until Glendinning takes up the position in late August, Jim Cardwell who is head of policy development will step into the role on an interim basis.

People’s Energy

Jonathan Jager, the former interim chief financial officer of failed supplier Tonik Energy has joined another disruptor brand, People’s Energy, as its CFO.

Jager was Tonik’s interim CFO for just over a year-and-a-half. Prior to this, he spent time working as a financial consultant and spent more than a year at Birmingham-based Extra Energy, which ceased trading in 2018, where he was head of financial control.

Before moving into the disruptor market Jager spent 11 years at Eon where he rose to commercial finance manager.

Carbon Capture and Storage Association

The Carbon Capture and Storage Association (CCSA) has announced Ruth Herbert will take over as its new chief executive in October.

Herbert currently holds the position of director of strategy and development at the Low Carbon Contracts Company.

She has also held a number of roles at the previous Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) where she worked on electricity market reform, the 2010-11 Energy Bill and was head of international cleaner fossil fuels policy in the Cleaner Fossil Fuels Directorate (subsequently the Office of CCS).

Speaking of her appointment, she said: “I am extremely excited to be joining the CCSA at such an important time. CCUS is a vital solution to deliver net zero across the economy. I look forward to working with the CCSA team and its members to build this critical industry and bring forward a successful CCUS programme to achieve UK climate goals.”

Jonathan Briggs, chair of the CCSA board, said: “The CCSA board is delighted to welcome Ruth to the CCSA and we are confident that she will build on the current positive momentum for CCUS and lead the CCSA in the next stage of its development.

“Ruth brings with her a wealth of experience and knowledge on CCUS, climate and energy policy, which will be a tremendous asset as the CCSA goes from strength to strength.”