Electricity North West (ENW) has appointed Ian Smyth as CEO, with it expected that Smyth will take over from Peter Emery later this year.
Smyth joins ENW from UK Power Networks (UKPN), where he is an executive member and is responsible for UKPN Services.
UKPN Services is the business that delivers critical services to large national infrastructure projects and UK organisations including Heathrow and Gatwick airports and the London Underground.
Smyth is bringing over 25 years of experience in working within major UK and international utilities to ENW, the company said, having experience that spans electricity, water and gas.
Alistair Buchanan, chairman of Electricity North West, said Smyth will be building on Emery’s legacy, who significantly improved the distribution network operator’s safety, reliability, customer satisfaction and efficiency during his tenure
“The board believes that Ian is a great fit for Electricity North West and is well qualified to lead the business into ED2, its next business plan phase, leading and facilitating the switch of the North West to a low carbon economy in an efficient and cost effective manner.”
ENW released its business plan for the RIIO-ED2 price control period of 2023-28 last year, committing to invest £1.8 billion.
“Delivering a safe, reliable, efficient service will be our primary focus in these challenging times and will deliver a solid platform which individuals and businesses can rely on,” Smyth said.
The appointment of Smyth follows ENW announcing it had hired Gillian Williamson as its first female engineering director earlier this year.
