The Energy Networks Association has confirmed the appointment of Northern Powergrid chief executive Phil Jones as its new chairman.
Jones said he was honoured to have been asked by his peers to become chairman at the ENA, and paid testament to his predecessor, Western Power Distributions chief executive Robert Symons, who passed away earlier this month.
“I’m looking forward to working with my fellow Board members and the leadership at ENA to build on the work that Robert Symons was doing before his time in the chair came to a sad and premature end.
“The role that ENA’s members play in delivering Britain’s energy is rapidly changing. The networks have a huge part to play in enabling our customers to be at the centre of the delivery of a smarter, cleaner energy system. It’s a great time to be part of a networks business,” he said.
Jones joined the electricity distribution sector in 1993 and progressed through the ranks at Yorkshire Electricity prior to its merger with Northern Electric in 2001, eventually becoming president of the combined Northern Powergrid entity five years later.
He also served as president of the ENA between 2008 and 2010.
David Smith, chief executive at the ENA, paid testament to the 25 years of “extensive experience” Jones will be bringing to the role.
“I look forward to working closely with him to ensure that we as an industry not only continue to fulfil our responsibility to delivering affordable, reliable energy supplies across the country, but also rise to the opportunities ahead of us as our energy market continues to change in response to decarbonisation.”
