SSE appoints John Manzoni as chair

Energy company SSE has appointed Sir John Manzoni to succeed Richard Gillingwater as chair of the board with effect from 1 April 2021.

Manzoni - who has held senior roles at BP and Talisman Energy and spent six years as chief executive of the Civil Service and permanent secretary of the Cabinet Office - will initially join the board as a non-executive director on 1 September and work with Gillingwater to ensure a smooth handover.

Manzoni stepped down from the civil service earlier in the summer and in April he was appointed non-executive director at drinks company Diageo, effective 1 October.

Gillingwater said: "After a comprehensive and rigorous selection process, we are very pleased that Sir John has agreed to lead the board. As well as having had a very successful executive career in energy, his recent experience within the public sector will provide a hugely valuable perspective as SSE seeks to work with government, regulators and other stakeholders to deliver on the net zero transition."