On the move | Pennon announces new chair

In our latest round-up of industry hires, South West Water’s parent company Pennon has named its next chair and Eon UK has a new hedging boss. Meanwhile there are changes within Eon Group and UK Power Networks Services unveils its latest appointment.

Pennon

South West Water owner Pennon, which also operates Bristol and Bournemouth water companies, has announced David Sproul will become its chair next month.

Sproul will replace Gill Rider, who has been in the role since 2012.

Sproul will join the board as a non-executive director on 1 July, while Rider will retire from the board following the Annual General Meeting on 24 July, after which Sproul will assume the role of chair.

A chartered accountant, Sproul has spent most of his career in professional services at Deloitte including as global deputy chief executive from 2019 to 2021.

In late 2021 he became chair of Starling Bank. He also serves as a non-executive director at Safanad, a privately held asset manager and is a senior adviser to Bridgepoint Europe.

Additionally, he sits on the board of governors as chair designate of the University of Hertfordshire.

Sproul said: “It is a privilege to have been invited to take on the role as chair at a pivotal point in Pennon’s strategy, and ongoing commitment to the UK water industry. There has never been a more important time to make a positive contribution to the sector and society. What Pennon does for customer, communities and the environment really matters.”

Rider said: “I am honoured to have worked alongside such a talented board over many years at Pennon. I am delighted that David will be joining the group and will succeed me as chair. I wish him, Pennon and especially all our dedicated colleagues every success for the future.”

Pennon Group acquired SES Water earlier this year for £89 million in a deal subject to Competition and Markets Authority approval.

Cornwall Insight

Former So Energy chief Monica Collings has joined the board of consultancy Cornwall Insight as a non-executive director.

Collings has extensive experience in the utilities sector, having played a pivotal role in So Energy’s merger with ESB Energy. She was also co-chief executive of Vattenfall’s UK supply business iSupplyEnergy.

She currently holds a number of roles including as a member of Northern Powergrid’s independent stakeholder group (ISG).

“I am absolutely delighted to be joining the board of Cornwall Insight. From my very first day in energy, I recall being referenced data provided by this well-respected business,” said Collings.

Meanwhile, Cornwall has also appointed Dan Morris as its new chief executive. He will succeed Gareth Miller, who recently stepped down as CEO after ten years at the company.

Eon

Eon UK has appointed Tom Eckersley as head of customer hedging and risk.

Eckersley previously spent almost 13 years at Npower, where he was latterly head of hedge modelling and operations, retail energy management (REM).

His other roles include head of hedging at People’s Energy, which ceased trading in 2021, as well as B2C RTM risk and reporting manager at Shell Energy.

Elsewhere, Eon Group has unveiled new appointments.

Marc Spieker, previously chief financial officer, has taken over as chief operating officer commercial for the customer solutions business for its segments energy retail and energy infrastructure solutions. In his new role he succeeds Patrick Lammers, who has left the company.

Nadia Jakobi, previously chief executive of Eon Energy Markets, succeeds Spieker as CFO. She joins the Eon board of management, which, in addition to chief executive Leonhard Birnbaum, also includes Thomas König, who is responsible for energy networks, and Victoria Ossadnik, responsible for digitalisation and innovation.

UK Power Networks

Kim Kelly has been announced as the new client delivery manager of UK Power Networks Services.

Kelly, who has been with the firm for 16 years, has extensive experience in managing multi-discipline rail projects across the south of England and previously worked as senior project manager and contractors’ representative.

She began her career in the rail sector before joining UK Power Networks Services’ high-voltage rail division.

In her new role, Kelly will lead a newly unified team that combines the former high voltage rail and high voltage engineering departments.

With a portfolio including more than 200 projects and maintenance contracts, she will oversee a team of nearly 70 people based in Chatham, Kent.

“We have a fantastic opportunity to grow our client base and I’m focused on identifying additional opportunities for our team and putting Chatham on the map,” Kelly said.

“The amalgamation of departments has not only streamlined operations but also created new opportunities for the team. There’s a wealth of training and skill development available, allowing everyone to enhance their competencies, expand their individual portfolios and deepen their industry knowledge.”

Elsewhere in the sector, it was recently announced that the Data Communications Company (DCC) is on the hunt for a new chief executive after announcing Angus Flett will depart during the summer.

Flett will step down from his role at the end of August after more than seven years.

Meanwhile Steve Kaye is to leave his role as chief executive of UKWIR after six years.

The research platform for water companies across the UK and Ireland has launched an immediate search for a successor. However, Kaye will remain in post for the next six months to ensure a smooth transition.