SSE plc and innogy SE have appointed Dr. Martin Read CBE as Chairman Designate for the new independent British energy supply and services company they have agreed to form, subject to final regulatory approval. Martin will lead the Board of the new company, working closely with Chief Executive Designate Katie Bickerstaffe, Chief Financial Officer Designate, Gordon Boyd, and other recently appointed members of the Executive Committee Designate. He will take up his new role on 1 October 2018 and, working with an external executive search company, will lead on recruiting the Board for the new business.

Like Katie and Gordon, Martin will have no involvement in the leadership or management of either existing organisation. Both SSE and innogy consider Martin to be independent on appointment, as per the requirements of the UK Corporate Governance Code. in high-profile, consumer-facing sectors.

He is Chairman of Wincanton plc and the UK Government's Senior Salaries Review Body. Martin will be standing down as Chairman of the Low Carbon Contracts Company and of the Electricity Settlements Company on 30 September 2018, and will also step down as Chairman of the Remuneration Consultants Group in advance of the anticipated formation and listing of the new company. He is a former Chairman of Laird Plc and from 1993 to 2007 was Chief Executive of international IT services company Logica.

He has served as a Non-Executive Director on the boards of Lloyd's, Invensys, Aegis Group, British Airways, Boots, Asda and the UK Government Efficiency and Reform Board.