As previously shared, the current Chair of RECCo, Dr Chris Anastasi, will complete his 6-year term on the 31st of March 2025. In accordance with Clauses 5.6-5.9 of the Retail Energy Code (REC), we are notifying all REC Parties that the Board, at its Meeting on the 11th of December 2024, unanimously approved a recommendation of the Nominations Committee that Hannah Nixon be appointed as the next Chair of the RECCo Board for an initial 3-year term from 1st April 2025.
Additionally, the Board is seeking to reappoint three of its Non-Executive Directors (NEDs): Paul Hallas, Roshan Awatar and Helen Charlton.
This vote seeks the approval of REC Parties for the Nomination Committee’s recommendations, which the Board has unanimously endorsed. In accordance with Clause 5.9(b), a vote will be conducted among REC Parties within 3 months of the Board’s recommendation to confirm these appointments.
Please cast your vote to approve or decline these appointments by 5 pm on the 31st of January 2025 here.
Context
The REC introduced a new approach to code governance, including the establishment of an independent RECCo Board made up of a Chair and NEDs. Collectively, they provide knowledge, experience and advice to support the REC mission and benefit the community.
The Chair and NEDs act as the Board’s first line of accountability, appraising performance, challenging approaches and judgements, and scrutinising delivery. They also support and guide the Executive Team.
The selection process
The Nominations Committee, chaired by Helen Charlton, conducted a rigorous process to identify and recommend a candidate for RECCo’s next Chair. The Executive search agency GatenbySanderson, which has expertise in the energy sector, supported this process.
The Nominations Committee comprised of three Board NEDs: Helen Charton (Chair), David Wylie and Paul Hallas; Melissa Giordano, Ofgem’s Deputy Director of Retail Systems and Processes, kindly agreed to act as observer at interviews. The current RECCo Chair, Chris Anastasi, and CEO, Sid Cox, held informal discussions with the candidates who attended interviews.
The process consisted of five phases:
- Candidate identification: Based on detailed criteria provided to the search agency, a list of over 30 potential candidates was created.
- Shortlisting: The list was reduced to a short list of 10 candidates.
- Interviews: Four candidates were chosen for interview following further deliberation.
- Recommendation: A preferred candidate was selected and presented to the full Board for approval.
- Consultation: The final phase seeks formal approval of the recommended candidate from REC Parties, as required by the REC.
About Hannah Nixon
Hannah Nixon has a wide range of relevant experience, including six years at Ofgem as Senior Partner and Head of Economics. She also serves as a Non-Executive Director at the National Energy System Operator and has chaired complex organisations, including the Single Source Regulation Office.
After a successful executive career in energy and financial services, she has held a variety of non-executive roles. She brings considerable experience operating as Chair in complex stakeholder environments, including Government, most recently as Chair of the Single Source Regulation Office. She has an understanding and experience of working successfully with executive teams around building and delivering an organisational strategy aligned with its core values and in complex markets undergoing structural or other change.
Hannah demonstrated a good understanding of RECCo, its evolution, its current position in the energy market, and the wider context, including the need for a reliable and affordable energy transition. The Board considers Hannah very well suited to lead the Board and RECCo during its next evolution phase and is pleased to recommend her appointment to REC Parties.
Re-appointment of three Non-Executive Directors
The Board also seeks approval for the reappointment of the following NEDs:
- Paul Hallas: Reappointment for a second and final three-year term.
Paul has been a member of the RECCo Board since March 1, 2022, bringing considerable energy industry knowledge, relevant insight, and experience to Board discussions. He currently chairs the Risk Committee and is a member of the Nominations and Governance Committees. Previously, he chaired the Remuneration Committee and was a member of the Risk Committee.
- Roshan Awatar: Reappointment for a third and final two-year term as a Non-Executive Director of RECCo
Roshan has been a Non-executive Director of RECCo since 1st of May 2021, bringing up-to-date data, digital expertise and experience to the Board. He has worked diligently and consistently with the executive team, particularly in relation to RECCo’s evolving Digital Strategy. He is a Risk and Finance and Audit (F&A) Committees member. Previously, he was a member of the Ethics Committee and the F&A Committee.
- Helen Charlton: Reappointment for a third and final two-year term as a Non-Executive Director of RECCo
Helen has been a member of the RECCo Board since 1st May 2021, bringing consumer advocacy and insights on consumer issues to the Board. She has supported the Executive team with its work programmes to ensure that consumer benefit remains at the centre of RECCo activities. She chairs the Nominations Committee and is a member of the Ethics and Governance Committees. Previously, she chaired the Ethics Committee and was a member of the Nominations Committee.
A message from Dr Chris Anastasi, Chair of RECCo
“I am delighted the Nominations Committee, supported by the RECCo Board, has come forward with an excellent candidate as the next Chair of RECCo and now seek approval of their recommendation by the Parties. Hannah is an experienced Chair and Board Director, and I believe is very well-placed to lead the organisation through the next stage of its development in a changing context as both the retail energy market and code governance evolve over the next few years.
I am also delighted that the Nominations Committee and the Board have invited Paul, Roshan and Helen to continue in their role as NEDs for further terms of office. It is important that there is continuity in the organisation over the crucial next few years, and the re-appointment of these three experienced NEDs for a second term will help provide this.
I am pleased to recommend Hannah, Paul, Roshan and Helen to you.”
The Voting Process
You can vote using this link.
Voting is undertaken in accordance with the REC on a simple majority basis of all REC Parties and will close at 5pm on 31st January 2025.
The results of the vote will subsequently be communicated to all REC Parties.
