Tony Cocker to join SSE board

SSE plc has announced the appointment of Tony Cocker as a non-executive director, saying his “wealth of energy sector experience and insight” will prove “invaluable” as the company evolves in the years ahead.

Mr Cocker, who will take up the position on 1 May, has 20 years’ experience of senior posts within the energy sector, working with Powergen and then Eon until 2017.

His roles have included CEO and chairman of the management board of Eon Energy Trading SE (in Dusseldorf) and Managing Director of the Energy Wholesale and the Energy Trading divisions of Eon UK.

He is also a non-executive director and chairman of Infinis Energy Management Limited’s board and the board of Affinity Water Ltd. Last month he was also appointed chairman of international innovation broker the Energy Innovation Centre (EIC).

Richard Gillingwater, Chairman of SSE plc, said: “I am very pleased that Tony is joining SSE’s board. He brings a wealth of energy sector experience and insight that will be invaluable in the years ahead as the SSE group of businesses evolves and the sector itself continues to change rapidly.”

Mr Cocker said: “I am looking forward to joining SSE’s Board at this important time for the company and for the energy sector as a whole.

“SSE has a dynamic and sustainable approach to business and is positioning itself well for the future and I am delighted to have this opportunity to play a part in that.”

SSE plc is currently in talks regarding a merger of its supply business with Innogy’s Npower.

Financial results for the year to 31 March 2018 are due on Friday 25 May and expected to be ahead of guidance. Meanwhile it has predicted “the 2018/19 financial year is expected to be one of transition for the SSE group”.

Mr Cocker joins the chairman, three executive directors and six non-executive directors on the SSE plc board. As each director is subject to annual election, he will stand for re-election at the company’s AGM in July.