Spark Energy appoints new director from British Gas

Spark Energy has appointed a new customer and brand experience director from British Gas, as a management buyout of the company nears completion.

The specialist independent company, which supplies the lettings and social housing market, set out major growth plans in June with four large institutional investors to “significantly increase access to growth capital”.

Shaun Burnett joins the senior team at Spark from his previous post as senior marketing manager at British Gas. Burnett has also worked in senior marketing, customer and communications roles in a range of sectors including energy, public transport and financial services.

Spark Energy chief executive Chris Gauld said: “Shaun brings very specific talents to the mix in our leadership team, which now has all the capabilities we need to tackle the next stage of our growth.

“It might seem that we have brought Shaun in solely because of his recent senior position at one of the Big Six energy suppliers… But his work at Lothian Buses is especially relevant as we look to double our customer base, reduce costs, remove hassle and improve the experience of tenants right across the UK.”  

Burnett joins other recent appointments including a new improvement director Callum McCosh, energy services director Steve Storey and commercial director Ian Crowther.

Burnett said: “This is a massively exciting time to be joining the team. Spark is an ambitious company, a growth company and one with a genuine customer focus in a difficult market.

“I’m very much a passionate customer champion and my determination to continually challenge us to be better every time is why I’m here; to take experience and satisfaction for our customers to the next level.”

The value of the management deal has not been disclosed, but is expected to complete in August.