On the move: Tony Cocker joins biogas developer and SSE appoints CFO

Our latest round-up of appointments across the utilities sectors includes a new role for Eon’s former chief executive Tony Cocker, the announcement of a new leader at the Net Zero Technology Centre, a new finance chief at SSE and the creation of a senior role at the ever-expanding Everflow.   

Future Biogas

Former Eon chief executive and Affinity Water chair Tony Cocker has been appointed to head the board at Future Biogas, Utility Week understands.

Cocker, who is also a non-executive director at SSE, joins the company as chair following its £28 million sale to 3i Infrastructure – the global investment firm. 3i also owns Infinis, a generation company that uses captured landfill and mineral methane, which Cocker also chairs.

He joined the energy sector in 1996 with a role at Powergen, which eventually became Eon UK. He went on to lead Eon UK between 2011 and 2017. He chaired Affinity Water between 2018 and 2021.

Future Biogas operates anaerobic digestion plants across the UK, converting a range of feedstocks into biomethane, which is then injected into the gas grid.

Following its takeover, the company said it now had the firepower to build a “substantial” fleet of unsubsidised biogas plants with carbon capture and storage capability.

SSE

SSE has announced that Barry O’Regan will be appointed as chief financial officer and as an executive director from 1 December.

O’Regan will also join SSE’s Group Executive Committee from the same date. Outgoing finance director Gregor Alexander will step down from the board on the same date, before retiring and leaving SSE at the end of March 2024 following a handover period.

O’Regan is currently finance director of SSE Renewables as well as having responsibility for corporate finance across the whole of SSE.

O’Regan trained as a chartered accountant with PWC in Dublin before joining Airtricity in 2005 and subsequently the SSE Group in 2008.

Alistair Phillips-Davies, SSE chief executive, said: “I want to pay tribute to Gregor’s achievements since SSE’s creation and to thank him for the unstinting support and sage advice he’s given me during my time as CEO.”

He added: “In Barry we have secured a hugely capable successor who has been instrumental in our strategic realignment in the last decade, both corporately and in SSE Renewables. Barry has all the financial capabilities and energy value chain knowledge to help propel SSE to new heights as we take forward our Net Zero Acceleration Programme and continue to grow the Group, I look forward to working with him more closely on the delivery of the vision for SSE”

O’Regan added: “I am honoured to have been appointed as SSE’s CFO. The opportunities facing SSE are huge and we have a clear strategy, strong capabilities and a firm financial footing from which to take them. I am looking forward to working with our colleagues, the leadership team and the Board as we build on past successes whilst scaling new heights as we secure more high-quality growth options across the group.”

Net Zero Technology Centre

After nearly seven years at the helm of the Net Zero Technology Centre (NZTC), Colette Cohen is standing down as chief executive, with Myrtle Dawes announced as her successor.

Cohen launched NZTC in 2017 as part of the Aberdeen City Region Deal. To date the centre has invested more than £253 million with industry in technologies from effective well plugging and abandonment, asset integrity to autonomous robotics and renewable power systems.

NZTC chairman Martin Gilbert said: “In an industry that is traditionally slow to change and considerably risk averse when it comes to adopting new technology, Colette had a monumental task on her hands to shape an offering from the Net Zero Technology Centre that industry would buy-in to and advocate.

“A champion for diversity and inclusion, Colette is a formidable leader ensuring the Centre remained relevant as the global focus increased on cutting emissions and low carbon technology. She continued to evolve the businesses strategy and position it for growth and is handing over the reins at an exciting time for the centre. On behalf of the board, I thank her for her drive and commitment.”

Myrtle Dawes will assume the position as CEO in July 2023. Myrtle joined NZTC in 2019 as solution centre director, leading the delivery of technology development and deployment, and project growth strategies.

Cohen said: “I have relished every minute of my nearly seven years at NZTC and am tremendously proud of the impact the Centre has made, and continues to make, on the technology landscape in the North East of Scotland and throughout the UK.”

She added: “The energy transition and technology are two constantly moving targets and there is still so much untapped opportunity, this requires a strong proven leader and I am delighted to be handing the reins to Myrtle who will take the Centre to its next level of success”.

Dawes said: “I am honoured to be appointed CEO at such a pivotal time for both the energy industry and NZTC, and excited to take the Centre forward and achieve even more.”

Everflow

Everflow has appointed a director of waste services to drive growth within the multi-utility offering.

Elliot Harrison-Holt assumes the role created to aid the delivery of its multi-utility growth plans.

Harrison-Holt started his career at Recycling Lives, where he rose up the ranks from commercial manager to head of new business, before being appointed managing director of Recycling Lives Environmental Services.

During his time at Recycling Lives, Harrison-Holt successfully grew revenues, drove new opportunities through mergers and acquisitions and secured and managed multimillion pound deals in both the private and public sector.

He also serves as non-executive director at Blackpool Waste Services which delivers kerbside waste collection services and manages recycling centres on behalf of Blackpool Council.

In his new role, Harrison-Holt will be responsible for holding the board accountable for effectively delivering the businesses strategy.

Josh Gill, Everflow chief executive, said: “It makes sense for us to expand and apply our knowledge and experience to other utilities. The launch of our waste services offering is the first step in achieving our multi-utility ambition.

“Elliot has demonstrated an exceptional ability to develop high performing teams to excel during periods of growth, making him the perfect fit as we accelerate our growth plans. I am thrilled to welcome him to the team and the expertise he will bring to help realise our vision.”

Harrison-Holt added: “Now is a really exciting time for Everflow as it establishes its multi-utility offering. My experience as both an operator and a broker equipped me with an understanding of the operational and regulatory challenges the industry faces, putting Everflow in good stead as it expands its waste offering. “

Outfox the Market

Outfox the Market has appointed Chris Hewett as commercial director.

Hewett joins almost two years after founding Clean Energy Supply. Previously Hewett has held senior roles at Simplicity Energy, Just Energy and First Utility among others.

Taking to LinkedIn, Hewett said: “I’m delighted to announce I’ve taken an opportunity to join the fantastic retail supplier in Outfox the Market as Commercial Director.

“After the Clean Energy project, I took a few months out and now really looking forward to the exciting new challenge of supporting OTM into their next phase of robust growth.

“The leadership team have done a fantastic job steering the business and their customers through market turbulence. Now the industry looks to future stability, OTM has emerged with a very strong balance sheet enabling future investment into key areas.”

Gresham House

Gresham House has appointed Lefteris Strakosias as an investment director within its new energy division.

He will be responsible for sourcing and executing energy storage investment opportunities, with particular attention to the Gresham House Energy Storage fund (GRID).

Strakosias will report to managing director and head of new energy Ben Guest.

Strakosias has previously held similar roles at Maple Power, National Pension Service, Macquarie Group and Société Générale.

Guest said: “The appointment of Lefteris to our new energy team reflects our ambitious growth plans in battery energy storage and will provide further support for the team as we look to further expand our reach and impact in the sector.

“His depth of experience in infrastructure and energy transition investments and his strong knowledge of the renewable energy sector will be a valuable asset as we continue to develop our capabilities in this important area.”