Inaugural Chair and Managing Director for the largest independent power network in the UK

Green Generation Energy Networks Cymru

Green GEN Cymru is a joint venture between Bute Energy and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, based in Wales. The parent company is Windward Energy Ltd, headquartered in Edinburgh.

When operational, Green GEN Cymru will be the largest independently owned power network in the UK and will be critically important to improving renewable energy infrastructure across Wales, building and operating a new 132kV distribution network to connect Welsh renewable energy projects to the grid. Once in receipt of its IDNO, the network will be fully operational by 2027.

We partnered with Bute Energy and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners to support them on the appointment of the Green GEN’s inaugural Chair. The Chair would have the autonomy to build the Board and Executive team, promote the business across Wales and support the business through its development and construction phase. Stakeholder relationship management was a key mandate for the successful candidate, they needed to bring an extensive network in Wales across the Welsh Government, Ofgem and the National Grid.

Diverse candidate pool and successful appointments

Our search was wide reaching across the energy sector and other regulated industries in Wales. We presented a diverse shortlist of candidates to consider, and, following an extensive interview process which included interface with government ministers, Bleddyn Phillips was appointed. Bleddyn was previously Global Head of Oil and Gas at Clifford Chance, and more recently Chair of Swansea University. Bleddyn brought high level networks to this role, as well as excellent governance experience to support the commercial growth and success of Green GEN Cymru.

Earlier this year, we worked with Bleddyn to appoint Green GEN Cymru’s Managing Director, and after a rigorous search process, Daryn Lucas was appointed. Daryn brought deep ties to Wales, a detailed understanding of the wider group through his role at Windward, and the technical know-how to ensure the success of the project. As a direct result of our search, Green GEN Cymru appointed an additional member to the executive team as Head of Regulation, who joins from the Port of Milford Haven.