New director to lead £2bn electricity investment programme

Electricity North West has appointed Ben Grunfeld to lead a £2bn investment programme which will take the region away from fossil fuels and towards net zero.

Ben will take up the role of asset and technology and strategy and growth director from 1 July. He replaces Steve Cox who retires from the business after 42 years.

Ben joins from consultancy Guidehouse, where he was a partner working with utilities in the UK, Europe, Middle East and Canada as the international energy sector lead.

He will lead the region’s £2bn electricity network investment programme over the next five years and lead the growth of the group’s commercial private network business, Electricity North West Construction and Maintenance Limited.

Ian Smyth, Electricity North West chief executive officer, said: "As people and businesses in the North West move away from fossil fuels towards green electricity for heating and transport, our network of 57,000km of overhead lines and underground cables has an important part to play to support this transition.

“As the North West progresses towards net zero, electrification of heat and transport is critical. Ben will be a great asset to the executive team and will help us to deliver our ambitious investments for the region."

Ben added: "It is an exciting time to join, at the start of a £2bn investment in the region, and I am thrilled to be part of this leading organisation and to deliver on our commitments to the five million people, and two hundred thousand businesses, that depend on our services.”