On the Move | REA appoints CEO; Centrica unveils chief customer officer

In our latest round-up of industry appointments, The Association of Renewable Energy & Clean Technology (REA) has announced a new chief executive, while Centrica has unveiled its new chief customer officer. Elsewhere, Utility Warehouse hires a new customer services director, while EDF Energy appoints a non-executive chairman.

EDF Energy

EDF has appointed former permanent secretary in the Cabinet Office Sir Alex Chisholm as its UK non-executive chairman, with effect from 15 July.

Chisholm has more than 20 years’ experience running organisations. He left his most recent role as chief operating officer for the UK Civil Service and permanent secretary in the Cabinet Office in April.

Prior to this he spent 13 years leading public sector bodies in the UK and Ireland. Before his government roles he worked for 12 years in business, in the media, technology, ecommerce and retail sectors.

Speaking of his appointment, he said: “I am excited to be joining Great Britain’s leading provider of low carbon energy at a time of great change and opportunity in the energy sector.

“EDF continues to invest in nuclear, wind, solar and battery infrastructure to offer customers secure, clean and affordable electricity. I look forward to getting to know all parts of the company, and to helping EDF serve the needs and priorities of the UK.”

The Association of Renewable Energy & Clean Technology (REA)

Trevor Hutchings will be appointed as the chief executive of The Association of Renewable Energy & Clean Technology (REA) next month, succeeding Nina Skorupska who has spent more than a decade in post.

Prior to joining the REA, Hutchings was partner for sustainability at the international consulting firm, BIP.

He has previously worked at Gemserv where he led the firm’s growth and diversification strategy, as well as within Whitehall departments, and with the European Commission in Brussels leading climate and environment programmes, including policies to support the renewables market in the UK.

Other roles include at WWF where he was director of advocacy. He is also chair of the Green Purposes Company set up by the UK Government to safeguard the mission of the Green Investment Bank, following its 2017 sale to Macquarie.

Hutchings said: “Net zero is within our grasp and the actions taken by the next administration will determine whether we get the job done. The businesses that make up the UK clean energy and technology industries – many of whom are our members – have the innovation, skills and expertise to cement the UK’s position as climate leader.

“But the next government must take vital steps in providing the policy and fiscal regimes that encourage, rather than deter, investment. This is crucial in not only addressing the pernicious effects of carbon emissions but also reducing energy bills and providing domestic energy security.”

Skorupska meanwhile will continue to be involved in the energy sector as an independent advisor to the Electricity System Operator as it becomes the publicly owned National Energy System Operator, and for National Grid Electricity Distribution as a member of its independent advisory panel for its DSO business.

Centrica

Centrica has announced two senior hires who will take up newly created roles.

Ulrika Wising joins as a managing director of Centrica Power, where she will be responsible for developing and operating a pipeline of flexible energy assets, while Gary Booker will take up the role of chief customer officer.

Wising joins the company from Vallourec, a supplier of steel tubes to the energy industry, where her most recent role saw her launch Vallourec New Energies, and develop a hydrogen storage solution.

Prior to that, she spent nearly three years at Shell, most recently as global VP of customer solutions. She was previously head of solar and battery storage for Macquarie and obtained a PhD in chemical engineering from Chalmers University in Sweden.

Booker meanwhile joins from Rentokil Initial, where he was chief marketing, innovation & strategy officer.

He was previously the chief executive of Selinon, and held chief marketing officer roles at O2 and Dixons Carphone in the UK and Electronic Arts in the USA.

Wising said: “I’m joining Centrica at the perfect time. The company has the opportunity to be at the vanguard of the energy transition and I’m excited to lead the development and operation of our power projects. The key to the energy transition is balancing sustainability, affordability and security of supply, that’s what Centrica is doing better than most.”

Gary Booker said: “The opportunity to help Centrica, and its amazing brands, grow through improving customer service and driving innovation in our offerings is one I couldn’t pass up. My mission is to help ensure that our customer experience leads the industry and I’ve every confidence that alongside our amazing engineering force and fabulous customer contact teams we can do just that.”

Utility Warehouse

Utility Warehouse has appointed Tracey Costley as its new customer services director.

Costley joins the business from Shell Energy where she led its customer operations team. She has previously held senior roles at SSE and Ovo.

At Utility Warehouse, she will lead the front-of-house customer support teams across all service areas – energy, telecoms and financial services – as the business sets its sights on doubling in size to 2 million customers over the medium term.

“The growth Utility Warehouse has seen over the past few years has been incredible and I can’t wait to get stuck in and support the next stage of growth as we head towards 2 million customers. As a multi-service business, it is so important we put customers’ needs into the heart of the organisation and support our customers with best in class customer service – and with the backing of a great team – that’s exactly what we are going to do,” Costley said.