Energy & Utility Skills Group appoints new chair
The energy and utilities sector body for development of skills and training standards has appointed Jan Ward CBE as its new chair.
20th July 2016 by Networks
Ward replaces Dr Jack Carnell who has served as EU Skills chair for seven years.
Ward runs a successful UK-based manufacturing firm, Corrotherm International, producing specialist metals for the oil and gas industry. She has a strong history of promoting engineering skills needs and is an advocate for the progression of women in engineering roles. She has held a number of government advisory roles over the past 15 years.
Ward joins Energy & Utility Skills as it transitions to become a membership a membership-led organisation with a focus on the commercial delivery of support services across the power, gas, waste management, water, and wider infrastructure sectors.
On announcing Ward as Energy & Utility Skills’ new chair, chief executive Nick Ellins welcomes her and said: “It is a pivotal time to join the sector. We are engaged across the UK governments, regulators and key industry audiences to secure better understanding of the vital role of a sustainable sector workforce in delivering the needs of society and the economy.
“Supported by the major utilities, their delivery partners and supply chain, we will be collectively working to attract people to fulfilling careers in our industries, develop their abilities and assure their competence.”
Ellins also thanked Carnell for his services while in office. “I am personally grateful for the seven years Jack Carnell has dedicated to our organisation and the whole sector.” Said Ellins. “He has provided constant support and guidance across the entire business, and dedicated his time to nurturing the people and developing their capabilities.”
Speaking about her appointment, Jan said she is “bursting with enthusiasm”.
She added that a personal focus in her new role will be “working with our members and partners to change the perception of the sector”.
She added that: “The skills agenda is particularly important to me personally. Qualifications have had a big impact on my life and this post will give me the chance to make a difference to other people’s lives in the same positive way. Together we will demonstrate the vast range of opportunities on offer to the young people of today.”
Ward left school with no qualifications and experienced a period of homelessness before qualifying as a mechanical engineer and setting up her own business.
Comments
Login on register to comment
Related content
Gas
Cadent backs launch of major bio-CNG HGV refuelling station
Gas network’s £250,000 infrastructure investment ensures supplies to existing connected customers have not been impacted
Gas
Editor’s blog: The biggest tests of resilience are yet to come
Network content director Jane Gray reflects on the industry's coronavirus response to date and the challenges still to come.
Gas
From the front line: Chris Garside and Andy Simcoe, Northern Gas Networks
Key workers across the power and gas networks are playing a critical role in the national response to Coronavirus. Network has committed to profiling their stories.
Related supplier content
Power
Load patterns and lockdown: how Covid-19 is impacting electricity networks
Insights into dynamics on the low voltage network as the outbreak unfolds
Heat
How E.ON. is helping the City of London become a zero emissions city
Discover Citigen. Deep in the heart of our bustling capital
Power
The Innovation Factor: Managing the transition to smart communication technologies in the electricity distribution sector white paper
The transition from legacy communications systems to new technologies can seem daunting for organisations in the electricity sector. But with market dynamics changing rapidly