Electricity North West appoints CFO

Electricity North West has appointed Chris Johns as chief financial officer. He will join the board in May.

Chris previously held the same role at Yorkshire Water, and has also been finance director of both Northumbrian Water Group and Northern Gas Networks. Before that, he worked in the regulated financial services industry.

Ian Smyth, Electricity North West’s chief executive officer, said: "Chris is a recognised CFO in the industry combining financial acumen with regulatory insight. Chris will contribute to our reputation as a leading regulated network.”

Alistair Buchanan, chairman, added: “Chris brings great financial experience from a number of regulated businesses and will be a great asset as the company enters its latest price control. Chris will help the business continue to deliver on our key commitments in safety, customer service, reliability, innovation and efficiency.”

Chris Johns said: “I’m delighted to be joining Electricity North West at such an important time given the challenges of ED2 that lie ahead. Electricity North West is a hugely respected and great company, and I'm excited to be joining the business and getting to know and work with all teams, both in finance as well as across the wider business.”

Chris replaces David Brocksom who is retiring from the board on 25 May having been with Electricity North West since 2013 and on the board since 2015.