Meet the Board

Career and experience

Sir John has wide-ranging experience across the energy industry and private and public sectors. Through a 24-year career at BP he held a number of senior roles including Chief Executive, Refining and Marketing and 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 was 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 relevant to the SSE Board

• Dynamic and engaging leader with diverse perspectives from multiple sectors, organisational settings and geographies.
• Experienced in the governance of large-scale business operations, leading reform, the management of complex projects and driving business performance.
• Strong communicator with insight into the management and development of stakeholder relations.
• Working knowledge of energy regulation, government and policy considerations which underpin achieving net zero.
• Brings sharp focus to people leadership, succession planning and inclusion and diversity.

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 his appointment as Deputy Chief Executive in 2012 then Chief Executive in 2013. Alistair is Chair of the SSEN Distribution Board, a fellow of the Energy Institute and a chartered accountant.

Skills relevant to the SSE Board

• Sound executive leadership and a considered approach to strategy; central to the delivery of the Net Zero Acceleration Programme Plus and SSE’s sustainability plans and targets.
• Broad knowledge of the energy markets in Great Britain and Ireland and across Europe.
• Proactive understanding of SSE’s stakeholder priorities.
• Detailed understanding of policy, politics, and regulation, enabling constructive engagement in these areas.
• Focused on people development to support culture and capabilities for future growth.

Career and experience

Barry joined SSE in 2008 and became Chief Financial Officer in December 2023. Prior to becoming Chief Financial Officer, Barry was Finance Director for SSE Renewables as well as having responsibility for corporate finance across the whole of the SSE Group. In his previous role of Director of Treasury and Corporate Finance he oversaw group funding and treasury operations. He is a chartered accountant and trained with PwC in Dublin before joining Airtricity in 2005.

Skills relevant to the SSE Board

• Financial expert with 19 years of energy value chain knowledge, driving the disciplined delivery of SSE’s capital investment and growth plans.
• Skilled in the development of financial strategy, which has been integral to the reshaping of SSE over the last decade.
• Experienced in leading corporate financial projects and teams, covering corporate modelling, funding strategy and debt issuance.
• Active understanding of investment community views.
• Supports SSE’s approach to partnering, having served on joint venture boards.

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, this was expanded to Group Energy and Commercial Director in November 2020, and re-titled Chief Commercial Officer in March 2022.

Skills relevant to the SSE Board

• Literacy in complex energy and commodity markets, supported by technical and operational expertise.
• End-to-end experience in large capital projects including joint venture engagement and governance, integral to the development of SSE’s diverse and flexible generation portfolio.
• Commercially minded in seeking future growth within SSE’s market-based businesses, including internationally, having supported key capital recycling opportunities and transactions.
• Understanding of change management and sources of commercial risk.

Career and experience

Helen is a former Company Secretary and General Counsel of National Grid plc. She is an experienced non-Executive Director with previous directorships at Bonheur ASA, Aga Rangemaster plc, Stagecoach Group plc, SVG Capital plc, Chair of MedicX Fund Limited, Deputy Chair and Senior Independent Director of Primary Health Properties PLC, and Chair of The Renewables Infrastructure Group Limited. She was a member of the Parker Review steering committee and is a patron of the Social Mobility Business Partnership.

Skills relevant to the SSE Board

• Long-standing energy and regulatory expertise, spanning legal, compliance, governance and risk frameworks, with over a decade of experience overseeing renewables infrastructure investment.
• Extensive insight into investor and stakeholder perspectives and trends from cross-sectoral, international and external Board interests that enable wider discussion and debate.
• A balanced sounding board and advocate of a strong safety and employee wellbeing culture, extensive knowledge of sustainability, and applies focus to social equity, inclusion and diversity.
  
  

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. She has carried out independent public inquiries and reviews for the UK and Scottish Governments and held positions in academia, serving as Principal of St Hugh’s College Oxford since 2012. She is a Pro-Vice Chancellor of Oxford University, previous Chancellor of the University of West of Scotland and Chair of the Board of Trustees for the legal action non-governmental group Reprieve.

Skills relevant to the SSE Board

• Significant understanding of UK and Scottish governance and practical experience of working with government through independent public reviews, whilst maintaining no political affiliation.
• Strong ambassadorial skills acquired through an international stakeholder network in judicial, governmental, diplomatic, and academic fields.
• Exercises a strong sense of social purpose and adds depth of perspective to Board considerations, including being an advocate for employee views.

Career and experience

Tony possesses detailed knowledge of the energy sector through a 20-year career with E.ON SE and Powergen plc, encompassing responsibility for: thermal generation; onshore and offshore wind (including Scroby Sands and the London Array, 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. Previous roles include CEO of E.ON Energy Trading SE and Managing Director of E.ON UK Energy Wholesale. He has served on the Board of Energy UK.

Skills relevant to the SSE Board

• Extensive CEO and MD experience across renewables, generation, commodity portfolio management and energy trading.
• Wide-ranging technical and operational insight, surrounding energy infrastructure and assets including the delivery of major thermal and renewable energy projects.
• UK and European energy industry and non-Executive experience enhances understanding of trends relevant to SSE’s operations and of utilities regulation.
• Experience in strategic consultancy and energy and utility stakeholder management.

Letters of appointment:

• Letter of appointment - March 2018
• Letter of appointment - July 2019
• Letter of re-appointment - April 2021
• Letter of re-appointment - March 2024

Career and experience

John is a chartered accountant and brings significant listed company and international experience, through a career in global businesses. He was Finance Director of Associated British Foods plc (ABF) between 1999 and 2023 where its diverse businesses employed 128,000 people and operated in 53 countries worldwide. In 2023 he became Chair of Primark’s Strategic Advisory Board and Senior Advisor to the retail business. Prior to ABF, John was Finance Director of the international distribution and services group Bunzl plc. Prior non-Executive experience includes Senior Independent Director and Audit Committee Chair of Compass Group PLC.

Skills relevant to the SSE Board

• Recent and relevant financial experience, with a proven track record of developing financial and commercial strategy, including M&A, corporate transactions and large capital projects.
• Extensive leadership experience and international perspective, gained from global companies and complex operations.
• 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 financial services leadership and became the first female Chief Executive Officer of Nationwide Building Society in 2022. Prior to this, Debbie served as CEO of TSB and was previously
an Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of Clydesdale Bank, where she led preparations for its successful demerger from National Australia Bank and subsequent IPO. Debbie is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers.

Skills relevant to the SSE Board

• Experience of strategy implementation, including execution of transformation projects within large consumer-facing organisations, and the critical role of digital and data.
• Understanding of capital allocation, optimisation and investment appraisal.
• Responsible for efficient and effective operations in a heavily regulated sector, requiring a compliance-driven approach and proficiency in IT and cyber security, risk management and internal controls.
• Business leader with expert understanding of the wider organisational responsibilities to employees and society.

Career and experience

Melanie is the Chief Executive Officer of the NEC Group and a leading UK consumer retail executive. She brings over 20 years of strategy and transformation experience, with previous roles including CEO of Ocado Retail, the online grocer and retail company, and Strategy Director for Marks & Spencer where she had responsibility for group strategy, M&S Bank and M&S Services. Prior to this she held the positions of Global Strategy and Marketing Director at Bupa, Chief Operating Officer at TalkTalk and a Partner in McKinsey’s Consumer practice.

Skills relevant to the SSE Board

• Highly qualified to appraise strategy development and execution, having advised and led growth, brand and business transformation in the consumer and retail sectors worldwide.
• Deep commercial and digital experience across multiple goods and services categories, including insurance, telco and energy.
• Has a people centric style and wide- ranging experience in a global context including a strong cultural appreciation.
• An entrepreneurial organisational leader, actively engaging with stakeholder views to create high performing organisations.

Career and experience

Dame Angela has held a long-standing international career in energy, including 38 years’ service at BP. She was a member of the Executive Management team as BP Group Chief Scientist and Head of Downstream Technology. This followed international business and technical leadership roles spanning R&D, engineering, digital, product development and innovation, business development, finance and renewable energy. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society, the Royal Academy of Engineers, and an Honorary Fellow of the UK Energy Institute. Her DBE recognises services to the energy industry and pioneering STEM careers, especially
for women.

Skills relevant to the SSE Board

• Expert in technology and science within the broader energy and manufacturing industries.
• Knowledge of leading and collaborating on a large scale and with international outlook, having worked extensively in culturally diverse environments.
• Corporate social responsibility and sustainability experience through involvement in climate science research, the energy transition, reputation and safety management, and inclusion and diversity; having chaired the Corporate Sustainability Committee, and Safety, Ethics and Sustainability Committee in two FTSE 100 companies.

Career and experience

Maarten brings over 28 years’ experience in the energy sector and is currently Chief Executive Officer of CEPSA (Compania Espanola de Petroleos, S.A), the Spanish multinational energy company involved in oil, chemicals, biofuels and green hydrogen. Prior to his current role, Maarten spent over 26 years at Shell, where he held positions within general management, finance, strategy, and business development and led the establishment of the company’s renewables activities. His last six years at Shell were spent as a member of the Executive Committee in charge of the Integrated Gas and New Energies business.

Skills relevant to the SSE Board

• Wide-ranging and international experience in the energy industry, having lived and worked in South America, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.
• Energy transition leadership, supported by experience in renewable, low-carbon, and green hydrogen capital projects globally as well as developing, communicating and engaging in energy transition strategies.
• Extensive experience in commodity markets, particularly relating to liquefied natural gas.
• Working knowledge of the listed company context including capital markets and investor relations experience from previous executive committee and finance roles.

Letters of appointment

Letter of appointment - March 2023

Career and experience

Hixonia brings significant international experience at Board level, alongside a diverse and global perspective. She has served as Chair of Sasol, a global integrated chemicals and energy company operating in a large number of countries, and is currently a non-Executive Director of Anglo American plc and Olam Agri Holdings. She has also served as a non-executive Director of Unilever plc and Vivo Energy plc, where at the latter, she held the position of Senior Independent Director.

Skills relevant to the SSE Board

• Strategic Leadership & Governance: Extensive experience in shaping corporate strategy and ensuring strong governance frameworks, focusing on long-term value creation and stakeholder engagement.
• Risk Management & Sustainability: Deep expertise in identifying and managing risks, with a particular emphasis on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations to drive sustainable growth and mitigate challenges.
• Diversity & Inclusion Advocacy: Proven commitment to fostering diverse and inclusive leadership teams, enhancing organizational culture, and promoting equitable business practices across sectors.

Letters of appointment

Letter of appointment - October 2024