On the Move: SSE Renewables appoints MD

In our latest appointment round-up, SSE Renewables has announced a new managing director to replace the retiring Jim Smith early next year.

Elsewhere in the sector Ovo has appointed a new chief product and technology officer while Ofgem has announced the appointment of a new chair for the Electricity System Operator (ESO) Performance Panel.

SSE Renewables

Stephen Wheeler, who is currently managing director of SSE Thermal, will become the new managing director of SSE Renewables in January next year.

Wheeler replaces Jim Smith who will step down from his role and retire in April 2022.

At SSE Thermal, Wheeler is focused on decarbonising the company’s flexible generation, energy-from-waste and energy storage portfolio.

He previously worked as managing director of SSE Ireland and before that as general manager (Ireland) of SSE Renewables. He was part of the management team that grew the Airtricity renewable energy platform before SSE acquired it in 2008.

Before joining Airtricity, he spent more than a decade working with ABB and Siemens internationally, specialising in the development and construction of generation assets.

Commenting on his appointment, Wheeler said: “We have a fantastic platform to build from with the business currently leading the construction of more offshore wind energy than anybody else in the world, including developing and building the largest offshore wind farm in the world at Dogger Bank.

“I’m excited to be building on the excellent job that Jim has done in establishing SSE Renewables as a leading player in the sector and I look forward to a smooth transition with the highly talented renewables team in order to deliver our domestic and international ambitions, and in doing so accelerating into growth and helping reach net zero.”

Martin Pibworth, the group’s energy and commercial director, said: “These are exciting times for the SSE group and Stephen will bring both international and domestic experience of developing and operating low carbon electricity to help propel the renewables business further still.

“Jim Smith’s contribution to SSE and the wider energy sector has been immense over a number of years. However, in Stephen we have a fully able successor and I look forward to working with him to build on our already enviable pipeline and enter a new era of renewables growth as we seek to build on our position as the UK and Ireland’s national energy champion and expand internationally.”

Ovo

Elsewhere, Ovo recently announced Christina Scott has been appointed as chief product and technology officer.

In her new role Scott, who has more than 20 years’ experience in technology leadership, will lead her team to provide intelligent energy technology solutions to support the decarbonisation of UK homes.

She joins the company from News UK where she worked as chief technology officer, leading the emerging technology practice for News Corp globally. Prior to this she was chief product and information officer at the Financial Times where she was responsible for driving the company’s digital transformation, using data insight to drive customer experience.

While working with major media organisations Scott has led through periods of great change and disruption in the industry. This includes the shift from print to digital, as well as introducing online subscription models.

Scott said: “Ovo’s foundations are built on being a disruptor and in just over a decade it has pushed the industry to new technological heights. Ovo’s accelerated move from pure retail supplier into the EV and smart home space shows it’s on a mission to achieve things quickly for its members and the planet.

“I am delighted to join the Ovo team at a pivotal time when we need to use technology to help fight the most important issue of our time; the climate crisis.”

Meanwhile Adrian Letts, Ovo chief executive, said: “We are delighted to welcome Christina to our team. Her track record speaks for itself and we are greatly looking forward to leveraging her experience.

“We have a huge opportunity to bring new digital products and services to our members as we support them with the decarbonisation of their homes. Christina’s expertise in technology coupled with her knowledge of creating market leading consumer products will be instrumental to Ovo in our next chapter.”

• Head of policy and public affairs

Additionally Energy UK’s former director of economics, Sam Hollister, has joined Ovo as head of policy and public affairs on maternity cover.

Hollister spent more than seven years at the trade body and prior to that he was a policy advisor and economist at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

He sits in the corporate affairs team and reports into director of corporate affairs, Simon Maine.

Ofgem

Finally, energy regulator Ofgem has announced that an independent panel chair has been appointed to chair the Electricity System Operator (ESO) Performance Panel for the ESO’s RIIO-2 incentive framework.

Joanna Butlin will chair the panel, which is composed of a mix of independent experts and industry trade associations, and was previously chaired by Ofgem.