Management Team
The Energy That Drives Us
Our people are our greatest asset; our management team, our employees, our customers and our eco system of partners.
Every member of our management team has an exemplary biography, a wealth of experience in the energy sector and one common goal: To be an exemplar and modern customer centric energy utility with a pin sharp focus on innovation and growth within the areas of Renewable Technologies, Flexible Generation and Customer Solutions.
Ian Thom
Chief Executive Officer
Ian has held the role of Chief Executive Officer since 2011. He joined the Group in 2001 as Company Secretary and General Counsel and was appointed to the Executive Committee in 2003. Prior to joining the Group, he served as the European Legal Director of OSI International Foods. He is a barrister by profession.
Siobhan Bailey
Chief Financial Officer
Siobhan has held the role of Chief Financial Officer since 2011. She joined the Group in 1999 and has held a number of roles, including Energia Finance Director from 2006 to 2011 and Group Treasury Manager from 2003 to 2006. She qualified as a Chartered Accountant with EY.
Louise Patterson
Chief Financial Officer Designate
Louise was appointed Vice Chief Financial Officer in 2023 and Chief Financial Officer Designate in 2024. She joined the Group in 2005 and qualified as a Chartered Management Accountant in 2007 and has held a number of senior roles within the Group including Energia Finance Director from 2018 to 2022.
Tom Gillen
Chief Operating Officer
Tom has held his current role since 2011. He joined the Group in 2000 and has held a number of roles including Chief Operating Officer of Viridian Power and Energy from 2009 to 2011, Managing Director of Energia Supply from 2007 to 2009 and Trading Director from 2000 to 2007. Prior to this, Tom worked at ESB and Northern Electric, where he held various senior positions.
Garrett Donnellan
Chief Development Officer
Garrett was appointed Chief Development Officer in May 2024 having been Managing Director, Corporate Development since 2012. Prior to this, Garrett held various senior management positions within the Group, including Renewables Finance Director and Generation Finance Director. He qualified as a Chartered Accountant with PricewaterhouseCoopers.
Gary Ryan
Managing Director, Customer Solutions
Gary was appointed Managing Director, Customer Solutions in 2020. He joined the Group in 2000 and has held a number of senior roles within Energia including Managing Director, Sales and Marketing Director and Head of Sales. Prior to joining the Group, Gary held senior finance, marketing and management consultancy roles at Tedcastle Oil Group. He qualified as a Chartered Accountant with PricewaterhouseCoopers.
John Newman
Managing Director, Flexible Generation, Trading and Regulation
John was appointed Managing Director, Flexible Generation, Trading and Regulation in 2020. He joined the Group in 2002 and has held a number of senior roles within Energia, most recently Director of Trading and Regulation since 2008. Prior to this, John worked at Northern Electric where he held a number of senior roles.
Peter Baillie
Managing Director, Renewables
Peter was appointed Managing Director, Renewables in 2008. Prior to this, Peter was Finance Director for Energia and has also held several other senior management positions within the Group since joining in 1989. He qualified as a Chartered Accountant with PricewaterhouseCoopers.
Catherine Gardiner
Chief Operating Officer, Customer Solutions & Technology
Catherine was appointed Chief Operating Officer, Customer Solutions & Technology in 2023 assuming operational responsibility for the Power NI and Energia Customer Solutions businesses. Prior to this, Catherine was Chief Information Officer from 2011 with responsibility for technology, data and digital across the Energia Group from a strategy, delivery and run perspective. Catherine has held several other management positions, including Head of Operations for Energia.
Roy Foreman
Managing Director, Power Procurement Business
Roy was appointed Managing Director, Power Procurement Business in 2002. He joined the Group in 1986 and has held a number of senior positions including Manager of Power Planning Economics from 1992 to 2002.
Michele Hanley
Director of Human Resources
Michele was appointed Group HR Director in 2015. Prior to this, Michele was Organisational Development Manager and HR Business Partner with Translink (NI’s public transport provider). She has experience in senior HR roles across various sectors, including FMCG, IT and Construction. She is a member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.
Anita Pollen
General Counsel
Anita was appointed General Counsel in 2020. She joined the Group in 2014 and has held the roles of Group Head of Legal and Governance from 2017 to 2020 and Head of Legal, Energia from 2014 to 2017. Prior to this, Anita held legal roles at NI Water and McGrigors
Alwyn Whitford
Company Secretary
Alwyn was appointed Company Secretary of the Group in 2011. Prior to this, Alwyn was Group Corporate Finance Manager and has held several other senior management positions within the Group since joining in 2000. He qualified as a Chartered Accountant with EY.
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