On the Move: Ofwat chair to join Ovo board; SSEN appoints new director

In our latest round-up of industry appointments: Ofwat chair Jonson Cox takes up a role with the Ovo Energy board and SSEN appoints a former Northumbrian Water director to head up operations in its southern distribution network.

Ovo Energy

Ofwat chair Jonson Cox has been appointed to the board of Ovo Energy as a non-executive director.

Cox, who has chaired the water regulator since 2012, spent his early career with Shell and has led two major turnarounds in the water industry, taking both companies to high ranking positions in the sector: Yorkshire Water in the late 1990s, and returning to the sector from 2004  to 2010 as group chief executive of AWG plc, owner of Anglian Water Services and Morrison plc.

He is also a senior adviser to global fund I Squared Capital. 

Commenting on the appointment, Stacey Cartwright, chair of the Ovo Energy board, said: “Jonson brings a wealth of valuable regulatory experience to the Ovo Energy board. This combined with strong experience in improving the customer experience and driving operational excellence makes him a fantastic addition. I’m delighted to welcome Jonson to Ovo.”

Meanwhile, Cox said: “Ovo is one of the most innovative companies in the energy market and it’s an exciting time to join and help support the team. With ambitions on climate change that have much relevance to all of us. I’m looking forward to getting started.”

SSEN

Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) has announced former water director at Northumbrian Water, Eliane Algaard, has been appointed as the new operations director of its southern distribution network.

Algaard,  a chartered civil engineer, has previously served as director of route asset management at Network Rail where she was responsible for overseeing all asset management activities throughout the Anglia region. She is a fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers.

As a member of the SSEPD board, Algaard will be responsible for the network operations, strategic investment and contact centre for SSEN’s southern distribution licence area, which serves more than 3 million customers.

She succeeds Stuart Hogarth who will retire from SSE later this summer after 40 years’ service.

Speaking of her new role, she said: “It is critical that we put customers at the heart of how we think, and what we do. Central to our thinking must be doing safely and efficiently what is right for all customers, and the environment.

“To get there we will listen carefully to what our customers and regional stakeholders are saying to ensure we deliver on regional needs and expectations.”

Colin Nicol, managing director, distribution, said: “I’m delighted to secure someone of Eliane’s calibre in what is a critical role for our business. Eliane has a strong leadership background in asset-based organisations and this experience and insight will be invaluable as we look to modernise our business, meet operational challenges and maximise opportunities to deliver for our customers and shareholders.

“Delivering efficiency in network operations is key to our strategy and I have every confidence Eliane will build on the work already underway to drive performance improvements in RIIO-ED1 and give us the best possible platform to succeed in RIIO-ED2 and beyond.”

Smart Energy GB

Smart Energy GB, the national campaign for the smart meter rollout, has appointed Chris Taggart as its director of marketing.

Taggart is the former chief operating officer of advertising agency Abbot Mead Vickers BBDO and has spent five months at Smart Energy GB on an interim basis. He has more than 20 years’ experience working across retail, telecommunications, financial services, technology and healthcare.

Speaking about his new role, Taggart said: “I’m delighted to take on the permanent position of director of marketing at Smart Energy GB. We have such an important role to play over the next five years, in arguably the biggest behaviour change campaign the country has seen.

“I look forward to supporting government and working closely with energy suppliers to deliver industry-innovating marketing campaigns that will have a direct impact in helping Great Britain better manage energy use and reach carbon neutrality. It’s no small task but I’m invigorated for the challenge that lies ahead for me and my teams.”