© Supplied by Wood In this week’s Power Moves, Darren Anderson has been promoted to senior vice-president of UK operations at Aberdeen-headquartered Wood.
Based in the Granite City, Anderson previously led Wood’s technical function in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, where he focused on strengthening technical governance, assurance and operational processes across the region.
He replaced current SVP of UK operations Martin Simmonite, who is relocating to Abu Dhabi to lead Wood’s Middle East, Africa and Caspian operations.
Before joining Wood in 2020, Anderson held senior positions at both Worley and Amec Foster Wheeler where he successfully led EPC delivery of a new 2,200-tonne topsides compression module for the Britannia long term compression project and the Buzzard Phase II project alliance for topsides EPC scope encompassing a new 600-tonne module on the platform.
He commented: “The UK energy industry is at a pivotal moment, navigating the complexities of the energy transition whilst ensuring domestic energy security. I am thrilled to step into this role at such a crucial time, supporting our clients to adapt to these changes, optimise their operations and capitalise on new opportunities.”
Wood president of operations, Europe Middle East and Africa Ellis Renforth added: “Darren has been an integral part of my leadership team for the past two years. His extensive operational leadership experience positions him well to lead our UK business.”
Wood has been at the centre of a long-running takeover attempt by Middle Eastern company Sidara, with a bid deadline having been pushed back four times.
© Supplied by COWIAndy Sloan has been appointed as executive vice-president of engineering consultancy COWI’s newly formed UK and international division.
The move marks a step in COWI’s global growth strategy as it reorganises its international operations to form the new division.
Sloan’s appointment underscores the strategic importance of the UK, Ireland, and other international markets—including Germany, Iceland, Oman, Singapore, and South Korea—where the company is poised for continued growth.
He currently serves as managing director of COWI in the UK and Ireland. As executive vice-president he will join the company’s executive leadership team and oversee delivery and development across multiple regions with a focus on infrastructure and the green energy transition.
“This is an exciting time for COWI,” said Sloan. “We are seeing strong momentum across our markets—from renewable energy and transportation to advanced infrastructure. I look forward to working with colleagues across geographies to harness our collective strengths and deliver innovative, sustainable solutions.”
© Supplied by Burness PaullNoel Jordan has become the first chief operating officer of law firm Burness Paull as it primes itself for its next phase of growth.
Jordan will have overall responsibility for the firm’s business services and legal operations functions, working closely with its practice areas to ensure a cohesive approach to providing excellent client service.
As a former chief technology officer at Ashurst, he brings considerable business acumen and technical expertise honed over a 20-year career in the professional services, financial, and utilities sectors.
Prior to that, he held senior IT roles with commercial and consumer lender GE Capital, including chief information officer for GE UK’s financial services business and latterly group IT director.
Burness Paull chairman Peter Lawson said: “Our business services and legal operations teams are vital parts of the firm that make a huge contribution, across a whole range of areas, in support of our lawyers and to the quality of our client offering.
“As we enter this next phase of our growth, building on the strong market position we have secured, we felt now was the right time to appoint a chief operating officer to help shape our strategy and assume overall responsibility for our business services and legal operations functions.”
As part of its growth plans, Burness Paull has made several key appointments, including a new director, and two partners, with Nicola Scott added to its energy team.
© Supplied by IberdrolaPedro Azagra has been promoted to group CEO of Spain’s Iberdrola, parent company of ScottishPower.
Azagra previously held the position of CEO at the group’s US subsidiary Avangrid Power and Avangrid Networks, a role he occupied for the past three years.
He has been with Iberdrola for 25 years, first as executive director of development with responsibility for the company’s international expansion.
He also serves on the board of directors and audit committee of Neoenergia, Iberdrola’s Brazilian subsidiary.
He replaces outgoing CEO Armando Martinez, with his role in the US to be filled by Jose Antonio Miranda.
Iberdrola has been pushing its expansion in the UK, having received permission this year to acquire a majority share in Electricity North West (ENW).
© Supplied by LinkedInMelissa Leung Pah Hang, climate tech lead at Capgemini Invent has been selected to join RenewableUK’s Shadow Board.
Writing on LinkedIn, Hang said: “I grew up in an area where blackouts were a common reality – a situation that still persists for many around the world. I was fortunate enough to come to the UK, and experience the privilege of studying at one of the world’s leading universities, working with a major utility, and now contributing to digital transformation in energy at Capgemini Invent.”
She said that her appointment gives her the opportunity to provide a voice for underrepresented communities, and focus on bringing engineering & business insights into the energy transition and the transformative power of digital in renewables
Power Moves, your weekly source of all the UK energy sector recruitment news you need to know, is kindly sponsored by Ramsay Black.
