Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) is pleased to announce the appointment of Eliane Algaard as the new Operations Director of its southern Distribution network.
Eliane, joins SSEN on 3 August and will report to SSEN Distribution MD Colin Nicol. She will play an integral role in the Distribution leadership team and as member of the SSEPD Board, will be responsible for the network operations, strategic investment and contact centre for SSEN's southern distribution licence area, which serves over three million customers. Leading a team of over 1,500, her working base will be Reading.
In commencing her new role Eliane has set out her commitment to drive service reliability standards and ease of access for all SSEN customers. "It is critical that we put customers at the heart of how we think, and what we do", says Algaard, "Central to our thinking must be doing safely and efficiently what is right for all customers, and the environment. To get there we will listen carefully to what our customers and regional stakeholders are saying to ensure we deliver on regional needs and expectations."
Prior to joining SSEN, Eliane held positions as Water Director at Northumbrian Water, responsible for the reliable supply of both raw and high quality potable water to over 4.5 million customers in the north east of England as well as in Essex and Suffolk, and Network Rail where she was Director Route Asset Management, responsible for overseeing all asset management activities throughout the Anglia region. She is a chartered civil engineer with an MSc and PhD in civil engineering from Glasgow University and is a fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers.
She succeeds Stuart Hogarth who retires from SSE later this summer after 40 years' service.
Colin Nicol, Managing Director, Distribution, said:
"I'm delighted to secure someone of Eliane's calibre in what is a critical role for our business. Eliane has a strong leadership background in asset-based organisations and this experience and insight will be invaluable as we look to modernise our business, meet operational challenges and maximise opportunities to deliver for our customers and shareholders."
"Delivering efficiency in network operations is key to our strategy and I have every confidence Eliane will build on the work already underway to drive performance improvements in RIIO-ED1 and give us the best possible platform to succeed in RIIO-ED2 and beyond."