Centrica names new British Gas chief executive
Centrica has named the new chief executive of its British Gas arm: former Aviva boss Mark Hodges will take over at the beginning of June.
At a time when energy companies – particularly former state-owned ones – are at the centre of a political football game, few in the industry will envy Hodges' new role.
He'll replace interim managing director Ian Peters, who will take on the role of director of customer facing strategy.
In January the company bowed to political pressure to cut prices, slashing gas bills by five per cent. In February, it cut dividends by 30 per cent after it announced a full-year new loss of £1bn.
In a statement, Centrica chief executive Iain Conn said Hodges brings "substantial experience of running a major UK customer-facing business".
Hodges himself added:
It will be a great privilege to lead British Gas, which has a proud heritage, and I am excited by the great potential the company has to benefit customers through improved service and in developing new products.