Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) has launched an advisory panel to make sure stakeholders' interests influence the decisions made by the electricity distribution and transmission network company.
The Stakeholder Advisory Panel will influence the strategic direction of SSEN and its Board and it is made up of six external members, with a variety of experience and from a range of sectors. The panel is chaired by Rachel McEwen, non-executive member of the SSEN Board.
The group will meet at least three times a year to provide strategic advice to SSEN's Distribution and Transmission businesses. It will review SSEN's business commitments and the companies' performance against them. Finally, the panel is committed to being open and transparent, for the benefit of all stakeholders, of the results of its influence.
Colin Nicol, Managing Director of SSEN, said: "The panel has been assembled to give an external perspective on our business and to help shape our strategy in the years to come. It is important that we get the views of our stakeholders, principally our customers, to help shape future decisions."
Rachel McEwen, non- executive member of the SSEN Board and Director of Sustainability at SSE, said: "The panel represents a range of stakeholder interests from vulnerable customers through to small community level generators. Ensuring the stakeholders' voice is heard, action ensues and there is a transparent response to the panel's advice will help deliver a better service to all our customers."
Verity Murricane, Founder and a Trustee of Eight Bells for Mental Health, said "I am really excited to be involved in this initiative, which shows real commitment by SSEN to accepting challenge from stakeholders and working to ensure that they deliver a high quality service to all its customers. I'm looking forward to using my experience and knowledge of vulnerable customers and communities to help the SSEN board achieve this."
Mike Petter, Chairman of the Considerate Constructors Scheme's Service and Performance Committee, said: "Customer expectations have changed and the world of customer service is moving on at such a pace the role of the Advisory Panel will be to work closely with SSEN to anticipate what is coming next so it can manage and exceed the expectations of its stakeholders."
The Stakeholder Advisory Panel complements SSEN's Stakeholder Voice Groups, which take place in its Scottish and English regions and its regional stakeholder events which take place throughout year.