In our latest round up of utility sector appointments Thames Water welcomes a former Ofgem senior partner as non-executive director, while a new post has been created at the UK Export Finance to help energy companies in the north secure finance and insurance.

Thames Water

Former chief executive of Payments Systems Regulator Hannah Nixon has joined the board as Alistair Buchanan – former chief executive of Ofgem – steps down after holding the position since 2018.

Nixon’s resume includes six years as senior partner at Ofgem, leading the development and implementation of the RIIO framework, and three years at the Office of Rail Regulation.

Thames chairman Ian Marchant said: “We’ve been going through a lot of change to rebuild trust in recent years, and Hannah’s appointment is another positive step forward in achieving our ambition to build a better future for our customers, communities and the environment.”

Nixon added: “I’m proud to be joining an organisation that has risen to the challenge of keeping an essential service running throughout the pandemic and supporting customers in financially vulnerable circumstances, while continuing to invest in operations, customer services and water and waste networks.”

She also holds non-executive director positions at the National Grid ESO and the Jersey Competition & Regulatory Authority.

UK Export Finance

Rachel Ashley will work directly with energy companies in the north looking to secure finance for export contracts and connecting them to overseas renewable and clean tech projects.

Ashley said she wanted to help northern companies tap into the potential from the green energy revolution and opportunities for renewables to strengthen their position on the world stage.

UKEF works with the department for international trade to provide finance and insurance to help exporters.

Ashley has worked in finance and business development for more than 10 years with experience in R&D and innovation in the energy sector.

Sigma

The provider of customer contact services to utility firms has appointed a director to lead the company’s expansion. Jaco Snyman has joined as director of financial services from BNP Paribas where he was chief operating officer. Gary Gilburd, chief executive of Sigma, said Snyman will strengthen the firm’s presence in international financial services market.

Last year the company created two more senior roles: chief people officer and director of water and energy services.