Scottish Power Renewables appoints new CEO

Scottish Power Renewables has announced Charlie Jordan as its new chief executive.

The announcement brings together the company’s offshore business, led by Jordan in the UK and Ireland, as well as the onshore portfolio led by the departing Lindsay McQuade, under a single chief executive.

In his new role, Jordan, who began his career at Scottish Power two decades ago, will also have responsibility for all the company’s solar and battery projects.

He was a project engineer at the Cruach Mhor windfarm and has led the construction of many other onshore windfarms.

Jordan was responsible for Scottish Power’s first offshore wind project at West of Duddon Sands before taking on the role of project director for the East Anglia One offshore windfarm.

He will be supported by Barry Carruthers who has been appointed managing director for onshore UK and Ireland.

Carruthers joined the company in 2011 and has held various roles. He is currently hydrogen director, a role which saw him create a new business division focused on growing the production of green hydrogen as a way to support the decarbonisation of heavy transport and industry.

Scottish Power chief executive Keith Anderson said: “This is a pivotal time for the renewables industry – and the country – as we work to get more homegrown green electricity on to the grid.

“I look forward to working with Charlie, Barry and colleagues across SPR to speed up the race to net zero, grow our business at pace and create a better future, quicker.”

Jordan added: “Renewables are at the heart of a transformation that will touch on every aspect of our lives – how we heat our homes, how we get around, how we work – and I’m proud to be leading such a fantastic and committed team to help make that happen and realise the benefits for our people, our places and our planet.”

Ovo

Elsewhere in the sector, Ovo has announced the appointment of Alex Doorey as its new VP of corporate affairs.

Doorey joins the company from Virgin Media O2 where she was head of O2’s external communications, before moving into an expanded role leading external communications for both the Virgin Media and O2 brands following the merging of the two companies.

Previously she worked in the private office of David Cameron between 2007 and 2008 and later became chief of staff at Conservative Campaign Headquarters. She later spent two years as corporate communications manager at Sainsbury’s before moving to head of UK communications at eBay.

At Ovo she will be responsible for public affairs, policy, media relations and sustainability. As part of this, she will coordinate corporate communications activity across the whole group.

Commenting on the appointment, Raman Bhatia, Ovo chief executive said: “We are delighted to have Alex join us, bringing a wealth of experience at a time when engaging the public on issues including cost of living and climate change has never been more paramount to our customers.”

Doorey said: “Now more than ever, it is crucial for energy suppliers to support customers and deliver on environmental impacts. I’m delighted to be leading a passionate team to help Ovo to do this, campaigning on behalf of our customers and the planet.”

Net Zero Technology Centre

Meanwhile the Net Zero Technology Centre (NZTC) has announced that Sian Lloyd Rees has joined its board.

The NZTC was created in 2017 as part of the Aberdeen City Region Deal, with £180 million of UK and Scottish government funding to maximise the potential of the North Sea. It advocates of the role of technology in decarbonising the oil and gas industry.

Over her 25-year career Lloyd Rees has gained experience as a senior leader in the energy and IT industry, having held several leadership roles in both blue chip and start-up companies. She is currently UK managing director of Aker Offshore Wind.

She is vice co-chair on the board of Offshore Energies UK and the industry supply chain champion supporting delivery of the North Sea Transition Deal. Additionally she sits on the board of the Aberdeen Energy Transition Zone and is a member of the steerco for the Deepwind Cluster.

Commenting on her new position within the Centre, she said: “I am passionate about innovation and collaboration, and the pivotal role both play in delivering the UK’s energy transition.

“The centre has a great track record of delivering technology innovations that are shaping our future energy industry, and I am excited to have the opportunity to contribute towards defining its future strategic direction.”