The Board

Career and experience

Sir John has wide-ranging experience across the energy industry and both the private and public sectors. Through an executive career at BP which spanned 24 years, he held a number of senior roles including Chief Executive, Refining and Marketing in which he was a Main Board member. This was followed by President and Chief Executive Officer at Talisman Energy Inc before a move to UK Government where he spent six years as Chief Executive of the Civil Service and Permanent Secretary of the Cabinet Office. He has previously been a non-Executive Director of SABMiller plc and Chair of Leyshon Energy Limited.

Skills and attributes which support strategy and long-term success

• Dynamic and engaging leadership style with diverse perspectives gained across multiple sectors, organisational settings and geographies, which complement the responsibilities of SSE Chair.
• Experienced in the governance of large scale business operations, leading reform and the management of complex projects to drive commercial performance, skills key to the fulfilment of SSE’s vision and purpose.
• Strong communicator with insight into the management and development of stakeholder relations aligned with SSE’s approach to decision-making.
• Working knowledge of energy regulation, government and policy considerations which underpin the success of a net zero transition.

Career and experience

Alistair joined SSE in 1997 and possesses extensive knowledge of the Group having held senior roles across multiple business areas. Prior to joining the Board in 2002 as Energy Supply Director, Alistair was Director of Corporate Finance and Business Development. In 2010, he became Generation and Supply Director, before Deputy Chief Executive in 2012, then Chief Executive in 2013. Alistair is a fellow of the Energy Institute and a former Vice President of Eurelectric. He is a Chartered Accountant.

Skills and attributes which support strategy and long-term success

• Sound executive leadership and a considered approach to strategy which is evidenced through continued delivery under the Group operating model, SSE’s growth ambitions and progression of SSE’s sustainability plans and associated targets.
• Broad knowledge of the energy markets in Great Britain and Ireland and across Europe, which informs views of long-term direction.
• Detailed understanding of the external context including the climate transition, politics and regulation enabling constructive engagement in these areas.
• Proactive approach to understanding stakeholder priorities including the impact of the coronavirus pandemic and SSE’s societal response to the net zero transition.
• Focused on people development, culture and digital enablement in order to develop capabilities for future growth.

Career and experience

Gregor joined SSE in 1990 and has been Finance Director on the Board since 2002. Prior to Finance Director, Gregor worked in senior finance roles and led specialist teams including as Group Treasurer and Tax Manager. Gregor is Chair of the Scottish and Southern Energy Power Distribution Board. He is a Chartered Accountant and member of the Accounting for Sustainability (A4S) CFO Leadership Network.

Skills and attributes which support strategy and long-term success

• Extensive knowledge of financial markets as leader of SSE’s financial strategy, including the approach to sustainable financing and emerging practice in this area.
• Experienced in directing significant corporate projects and major transactions, including SSE’s approach to investments, divestments and partnering.
• Oversees appropriate governance in the management of the Group risk environment including those emerging from the evolving energy sector and the transition to net zero.
• Deep appreciation of shareholder views and related ESG matters including the continued commitment to lead on fair tax and fair work as part of SSE’s 2030 Goals.
• Practical regulatory insight and Board oversight of SSE’s networks businesses.

Career and experience

Martin joined SSE in 1998 as an energy trader, which was followed by a series of commercial roles before becoming Managing Director, Energy Portfolio Management, and a member of SSE’s then Management Board in 2012. In 2014, he was appointed Managing Director, Wholesale, and a member of SSE’s Group Executive Committee. In 2017 he joined the Board as Group Energy Director, a role which was expanded to Group Energy and Commercial Director in November 2020. This role was subsequently re-titled Chief Commercial Officer in March 2022, with no change in underlying responsibility or remit.

Skills and attributes which support strategy and long-term success

• Literacy in complex energy markets which is supported by technical and operational expertise.
• End-to-end experience in large capital projects including joint venture engagement and governance, which has been applied in the development of SSE’s diverse and flexible generation portfolio, including the renewables pipeline.
• Commercially minded in seeking future growth within SSE’s market-based businesses, and has overseen key capital recycling opportunities and transactions to refine SSE’s business mix and secure optimum value from investments.
• Understanding of change management and sources of commercial risk having led on SSE’s Brexit transition arrangements, and the impact of coronavirus on energy markets.

Career and experience

Tony possesses highly detailed knowledge of the energy sector through a 20-year career with E.ON SE and Powergen plc, with at different times, responsibility for: thermal generation; onshore and offshore wind (including Scroby Sands and the London Array, which was the world’s largest offshore wind farm when built); commodity trading and risk management; and retail. Latterly, he held the position of CEO and Chair of E.ON UK plc, comprising the Company’s main businesses in the UK. Previous roles include CEO of E.ON Energy Trading SE, which managed E.ON SE’s commodity portfolio across Europe, and Managing Director of E.ON UK Energy Wholesale, which comprised E.ON UK’s renewable, generation, and trading businesses. He has served on the Board of Energy UK.

Skills and attributes which support strategy and long-term success

• Wide-ranging insight regarding technical and operational matters, including energy infrastructure and assets, commodity markets, energy trading and risk.
• Experience delivering major renewable energy projects.
• Combined energy industry and non-Executive experience enhances Board understanding of trends relevant to SSE’s operations and of utilities regulation.
• A balanced sounding board with additive experience in strategic consultancy and energy and utility stakeholder management.

Career and experience

Lady Elish has an extensive public sector legal career, serving as Lord Advocate of Scotland from 2006 to 2011, across two government administrations, having previously been Solicitor General for Scotland. Since then, she has carried out a number of independent public inquiries and reviews for both the UK and Scottish Governments and held positions in academia having served as Principal of St Hugh’s College Oxford since 2012. She is also currently a Pro-Vice Chancellor of Oxford University and previous Chancellor of the University of West of Scotland. Lady Elish is Chair of the Discipline Board of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS), Chair of the Board of trustees for the legal action non-governmental group Reprieve and a patron of several charities.

Skills and attributes which support strategy and long-term success

• Possesses significant understanding of Scottish governance and has practical experience of working with the UK and Scottish governments through involvement in independent public reviews, whilst maintaining no political affiliation.
• Strong ambassadorial skills developed through an international network of colleagues and contacts in judicial, governmental, diplomatic, and academic fields.
• Exercises a strong sense of social purpose and adds depth of perspective to Board considerations, reinforcing SSE’s approach to wider value creation.

Career and experience

John brings significant listed company, financial and international experience through a career in global businesses. He has been Finance Director of Associated British Foods plc (ABF) since joining the diverse food, ingredients and retail group in 1999. ABF employs 128,000 people and operates in 53 countries across Europe, Asia, the Americas, Australia and Africa. Prior to this, John was Finance Director of the international distribution and services group Bunzl plc. His non-Executive experience includes Senior Independent Director and Audit Committee Chair of Compass Group PLC. He is currently Chair of the charitable organisation FareShare and non-Executive Director of Bloomsbury Publishing Plc. John is a Chartered Accountant.

Skills and attributes which support strategy and long-term success

• Extensive leadership experience and international perspective, gained from global companies and complex operations, which will be invaluable to SSE’s growth and entry into new markets.
• A proven track record in developing financial and commercial strategy, including M&A, corporate transactions and large capital projects, which complements SSE’s Net Zero Acceleration Programme, and supports succession planning for the role of Audit Committee Chair.
• Understanding of the listed company context with practical experience of investor relations and ESG strategy, placing upmost importance on the role of sustainability.

Letters of appointment

Letter of appointment - June 2022

Career and experience

Debbie brings over 25 years of experience in financial services leadership, having recently been appointed as the first female Chief Executive of Nationwide Building Society. Prior to this appointment, Debbie served as CEO of TSB from May 2019 and was previously an Executive Director and Chief Operating Office of Clydesdale Bank, where she led preparations for its successful demerger and subsequent IPO. Debbie worked at National Australia Bank Group Europe for 22 years. Debbie is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers and a member of the Glasgow Economic Leadership Board and the Strathclyde University Business School Advisory Board.

Skills and attributes which support strategy and long-term success

• Extensive experience of the implementation of strategy including significant corporate transaction work and execution of far-reaching transformation projects, including the changing role of digital and data in the context of a large consumer-facing organisation.
• Understanding of capital allocation and investment appraisal frameworks central to the next phase of SSE’s growth.
• Knowledge of operating in a heavily regulated sector requiring a compliance-driven approach and proficiency in risk management and internal controls.

Career and experience

Peter has over 30 years of business experience spanning all areas of finance. He retired from the role of Group Finance Director of BAE Systems plc in March 2020, prior to which he was Director, Financial Control, Reporting and Treasury. His early career involved roles within GEC Marconi, where he was appointed Finance Director of Marconi Electronic Systems before the completion of the British Aerospace/Marconi merger. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Association of Certified Accountants.

Skills and attributes which support strategy and long-term success

• Brings recent and relevant financial experience to the Board and strong direction to the Audit Committee, as Chair of which, he drives focus on the risk and control environment including Group resilience and the ethics and compliance culture.
• International business perspective and an applied understanding of long-term project management and delivery, including investment appraisal, contracting and supply chain experience.
• Up-to-date investor relations experience through his executive career at BAE and pensions insight having been Chair of the trustee Board of a major UK scheme.

Career and experience

Helen is a former Company Secretary and General Counsel of National Grid plc and an experienced non-Executive Director. Previous non-Executive roles include directorships at Bonheur ASA, Aga Rangemaster plc, Stagecoach Group plc, SVG Capital plc, Chair of MedicX Fund Limited and Deputy Chair and Senior Independent Director of Primary Health Properties PLC. Helen is currently Chair of The Renewables Infrastructure Group Limited, a member of the Parker Review steering committee into the Ethnic Diversity of UK Boards, a patron of the charity Social Mobility Business Partnership, Co-chair of the Employers Social Mobility Alliance and an Equality and Human Rights Commissioner.

Skills and attributes which support strategy and long-term success

• Long-standing energy, regulatory and renewables experience, underpinned by a comprehensive understanding of the listed company context including the applicable legal, compliance, governance and risk frameworks in which SSE’s businesses operate.
• Insight into a broad range of investor and stakeholder perspectives and trends from cross-sectoral, international and external Board interests that enable wider discussion and debate.
• A decade of experience overseeing renewables infrastructure investment.
• An advocate of SSE’s safety culture, inclusion and diversity, and employee wellbeing; with extensive knowledge of people matters and a focus on sustainability.

Career and experience

Melanie has over 20 years of in-depth strategy experience and is currently CEO of Ocado Retail, the world’s largest pureplay online grocer and the UK’s fastest growing grocer. Prior to this she was Strategy Director for Marks & Spencer with responsibility for group strategy, M&S Bank and M&S Services. Earlier roles include Global Strategy and Marketing Director at Bupa, Chief Operating Officer at TalkTalk and a Partner in McKinsey’s Consumer practice.

Skills and attributes which support strategy and long-term success

• Highly qualified to appraise strategy development and execution, having advised and led both growth and performance transformation in the consumer and retail sectors worldwide.
• Deep commercial and digital experience across multiple goods and services categories, including insurance, telco and energy that furthers Board understanding of the customer.
• Has a people centric style as an executive and organisational leader, and brings knowledge of operational efficiency and change management.

Career and experience

Dame Angela brings depth of executive experience from a long-standing international career in the energy sector, which included 38 years’ service at BP. Prior to retirement in December 2020, she was a member of BP’s Executive Management team as BP Group Chief Scientist and Head of Downstream Technology. This followed international business and technical leadership positions spanning technology and digital, innovation, engineering and renewable energy. Angela is a Fellow of the Royal Society, the Royal Academy of Engineers, and the UK Energy Institute. She was awarded a DBE for long-standing services to the energy industry and pioneering STEM careers, especially for women.

Skills and attributes which support strategy and long-term success

• Expert understanding of the current and future role of technology and science within the broader energy industry, including the impact of disruptive trends and resultant transformation.
• Knowledge of leading and collaborating on a large scale and with international outlook, having worked in culturally diverse environments in the Middle East, Europe, the Far East, Africa and America.
• Corporate social responsibility and sustainability experience through active involvement in climate science research, embracing the energy transition, reputation and safety management, pioneering women in STEM careers, and as a champion of inclusion and diversity; chairing the Corporate Sustainability Committee, and Safety, Ethics and Sustainability Committee in two FTSE 100 companies.