On the move: David Smith steps down from ENA
In a round-up of sector job moves, Electricity North West has appointed its first female engineering director, Gillian Williamson, and David Smith is to step down from his role at the ENA.
Energy Networks Association
Smith will step down as Chief Executive of Energy Networks Association (ENA) at the end of the year after nearly two decades in the organisation.
David Smith said: “After nearly two decades at ENA, the time is right for a change, both for ENA and for me, and I have decided to step down at the end of the year.
“I am immensely proud of the team I have built up at ENA and the work we have achieved during my time here, taking the organisation from a small 17-person technical trade association to a globally respected industry association, launching our national single emergency number – Power Cut? Call 105 – to our most recent response to the global pandemic and the green recovery.
“I will be leaving ENA well placed to continue supporting its members meet the challenge of delivering energy to communities safely, sustainably and reliably – a challenge more important today than ever before.”
Electricity North West
Over at Electricity North West, chartered engineer, Gillian Williamson, has made the step up from the strategic planning team with the new role seeing her play a crucial role, as the company aims to deliver a £1.8bn investment plan to lead the North West to net zero.
The appointment also means Williamson is the only female engineering director out of all of the UK’s distribution network operators (DNOs).
Speaking about her appointment, she said: “I am delighted to become Electricity North West’s first female engineering director. I’ve taken up the role at a pivotal and exciting time for the industry as we drive the technological developments and commercial approaches necessary to efficiently manage the increases and new ways our customers are using electricity.”
“I am looking forward to collaborating with colleagues across the whole of the company responding to the needs of our customers’ who are making the changes on their way to net zero.
“Engineering is definitely a male-dominated industry, but my experience is that women can bring a different perspective and be just as successful. I’m proud that I can add my voice and show that so many different roles and career paths are open to women of all ages.”
Image: courtesy ENA / ENW
