Electricity North West appoints Gillian Williamson as its first female engineering director
Electricity North West (ENW) has hired Gillian Williamson as its first female engineering director, with Williamson stepping up from the distribution network operator’s (DNO) strategic planning team.
The appointment also sees Williamson become the first female engineering director across all the UK’s DNOs. She has 20 years’ of industry experience, having spent a considerable amount of time in power systems consultancy, where she focused on the implications for the industry of transitioning to low carbon, including organisational requirements and the use of technology to address the challenge of network capacity.
“Engineering is definitely a male-dominated industry, but my experience is that women can bring a different perspective and be just as successful. I’m proud that I can add my voice and show that so many different roles and career paths are open to women of all ages,” Williamson said.
The appointment comes as ENW looks to deliver its £1.8 billion investment plan to support the transition to net zero in the north west.
Centrica hires new senior independence director
Centrica has appointed Kevin O’Bryne as senior independence director following Stephen Hester stepping down.
The appointment comes into effect from 1 June 2022. O’Bryne has been a non-executive director of Centrica since May 2019, and is also chair of the Audit and Risk Committee as well as a member of the Nomination Committee.
Hester, meanwhile, is to stand down from the board at the conclusion of Centrica’s 2022 Annual General Meeting, having served for 6 years on the board.
The new hire follows Centrica appointing former Conservative MP and energy secretary Amber Rudd as a non-executive director in January 2022.