Energy supplier announces appointment of new CEO

Centrica has announced the appointment of Richard Hookway as chief executive following the retirement of Mark Hanafin’s from the company at the end of March 2019.

Hookaway will join Centrica and the executive committee on 1 November, allowing him to work through a handover with Hanafin due to step down from the board on 30 November.

Having spent 35 years in the the energy sector at BP, Hookaway had a successful and varied career, most recently as group chief operating officer for Global Business Services and IT.

His career has given him very broad experience across a number of business disciplines including finance, marketing, business development, oil and gas trading and commodity risk management. He has also held positions in exploration and production, petrochemicals and in group functions.

Iain Conn, group chief executive, Centrica said: “I am delighted that Richard is joining Centrica as Chief Executive of Centrica Business.

“He brings with him a wealth of experience in customer-facing energy activities, including in energy marketing and trading and commodity risk management. He has spent much of his career in the UK and Europe, but has also lived in North America and knows that energy market well.

“I would also like to take this opportunity again to thank Mark Hanafin for his significant contribution to the business over the past 10 years and to wish him and his family all the very best for the future.”

Commenting on his appointment, Richard Hookway, incoming chief executive, Centrica Business added: “I am excited to be joining Centrica at this interesting time as the energy sector continues to transform. Centrica Business is focused on meeting the changing needs of business customers across the globe as energy becomes more decentralised, cleaner and technologically driven.

“I look forward to working with Iain, the board and the Centrica Business team to lead the business through the next phase of its transformation.”

The appointment follows on from the company recently expanding its combined heat and power production facility in Salford, Manchester. The opening of the factory, which builds CHP plants for a range of customers such as schools, hospitals and industrial facilities, will support the creation of 20 jobs and apprenticeships as the team looks to increase both the size and number of units built.