(Alliance News) - SSE PLC on Tuesday said it has appointed former UK Civil Service chief John Manzoni as chair, a role he will take over on in April 2021.
The current board chair, Richard Gillingwater, agreed a time-limited extension on his tenure and so Manzoni will not take over as his replacement until April 2021.
However, Manzoni will join Perthshire-headquartered SSE's board on September 1 as a non-executive director and will work with Gillingwater "to ensure a smooth handover of responsibilities".
Manzoni was chief executive of the Civil Service and permanent secretary of the Cabinet Office for six years before leaving the civil service earlier in the summer.
At the Cabinet Office, Manzoni was "responsible for the administrative and commercial performance of government departments and oversaw preparations for a no-deal Brexit" according to FTSE 100-listed low-carbon energy company SSE.
Additionally, Manzoni is the former chair of Leyshon Energy Ltd, a role he held from 2013 from 2014. He was appointed to Diageo PLC's board in April, effective October 1.
SSE Chief Executive Alistair Phillips-Davies said: "On behalf of the board, and SSE as a whole, I'd like to thank Richard for the very substantial contribution he has made to the company over more than a decade, including as chair for the last five years. He will leave SSE in April in better shape than when he arrived and with our very best wishes. Meanwhile, we look forward to welcoming Sir John to the board in September and believe the company will benefit greatly from the breadth of his experience and expertise."
Shares in SSE were down 0.3% at 1,310.00 pence in London on Tuesday.
By Anna Farley; annafarley@alliancenews.com
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