On the Move: Thames creates renewables division; ex-Ovo MD joins Rebel

In our latest round-up of industry appointments, Thames Water has announced a director to head its new renewables division. Meanwhile, fledgling disruptor brand Rebel Energy has announced a raft of appointments to its newly-created board, including a former Ovo Energy managing director and an ex-FTSE250 chairman.

Thames Water

Thames Water has announced the creation of a new business unit focusing on opportunities in renewable power.

Next month Tony Vasishta will join the company’s executive team as the chief executive of Ventures, created as part of Thames’ bid to expand its renewable energy business and open-up more green spaces across London and the Thames Valley.

Opportunities include solar power, energy storage, harnessing heat from waste, as well as driving value from the company’s estate.

Vasishta has previously worked as the director of retail property services for Boots, as development director at Tesco and was VP, store development EMEA, for coffee chain Starbucks where he led the real estate and asset management function.

Most recently he worked at international TV and broadband company Liberty Global where he was managing director of global real estate and facilities and the chief executive of Liberty Property – its wholly owned real estate vehicle.

The appointment follows the recruitment of Alastair Cochran as chief financial officer, Warren Buckley as retail director, Cathryn Ross into a newly-created strategy and regulatory affairs director position and Francis Paonessa as capital delivery director.

Sarah Bentley, Thames Water chief executive, said: “I’m delighted Tony Vasishta will be joining the executive team to grow our renewable energy and property ventures, and open up new green spaces for our customers to enjoy.

“He has a successful track record of starting, creating and growing businesses from inception to maturity. His extensive track record and experience are just what we need as we look to develop our Ventures business and provide our customers with self-generated clean, green energy.”

Vasishta said: “I’m very excited to be joining Thames Water as its new ventures director. The opportunities the company has to grow this business are considerable, especially in the area of renewable energy. I look forward to joining a team that will play an important role in achieving the company’s net zero ambitions and creating new green spaces for our customers to enjoy.”

Rebel Energy

Fledgling power supplier Rebel Energy has made a raft of appointments to its new board.

New chairman Simon Heale is the former chief executive of the London Metal Exchange. Previously he was chairman of Kaz Minerals, Energean and Marex Spectron.

Heale has also worked in a variety of senior positions for multinational corporations including as chief operating officer of Jardine Fleming and deputy managing director of Cathay Pacific.

Also joining the board as non-executive directors are:

Jason Sharpe who was previously managing director of Ovo Energy during its significant growth phase, growing the business from 80,000 to 450,000 customers. His other experience includes leadership roles with Sainsbury’s, Asda/Walmart, First Direct and Vodafone.

Victoria MacGregor who is director of network strategy and standards at Citizens Advice, leading the charity’s statutory energy advocacy function. She will be tasked to hold Rebel’s commercial plans accountable to their social objectives at the highest level of business governance. MacGregor’s previous experience also includes more than a decade working at EDF Energy as head of public affairs.

Monique Pollard, director, equity research at Citi and previously Goldman Sachs, who will support Rebel to establish the right growth trajectory and will also provide significant expertise in investor relationships.

Eskandar Sadeghi, who is a finance specialist and portfolio manager, will advise the leadership team when it comes to investment and commercial strategy. Sadeghi is currently portfolio construction specialist at global investment management firm, T. Rowe Price.

Dan Bates, co-founder and chief executive at Rebel Energy, said: “We think we’ve managed to cover all bases with this board. What was important to us was that we appointed non-executive directors who really understood and bought into our mission.

“We wanted a range of experience and skills to ensure we had the right support and insight, not only around the commercial and financial aspects of our business, but also in ensuring we stay true to our values in everything that we do.”