Archives: Management Profile

Paul Sheffield, Managing Director Customers

20 August 2019

Paul Sheffield, Managing Director Customers

He leads a customer-focused approach to the whole customer journey including the supply of 100% renewable power and the full mobilisation of the Drax Smart programme.

Under Paul’s leadership, Haven Power and Opus Energy have been more closely aligned. He has introduced new ways of working that have motivated colleagues to deliver higher performance throughout the business, from sales to operations and collections.

Paul joined Drax as Chief Operating Officer, Haven Power, in May 2017, bringing extensive experience of the retail energy sector, having previously and notably worked as Commercial Director for EDF Energy, the largest B2B energy supplier in the UK.

Appointment to the Executive Committee:

  • August 2019

Jason Shipstone, Chief Innovation Officer

10 June 2019

Jason Shipstone, Chief Innovation Officer

Jason has extensive experience of Drax, having been with the business for over 30 years.

He has held several roles at Drax Power Station, and in business development, before taking a lead role in the project to convert Drax to biomass. Most recently Jason has been Group Research & Innovation Director.

Appointment to the Executive Committee

  • May 2019

External appointments:

  • C-Capture Limited (Board member)

John Baxter CBE, Independent Non-Executive Director

17 April 2019

Contribution and Experience

John has over 45 years working across the nuclear, electricity, oil and gas sectors. John was previously at BP plc, most recently as Group Head of Engineering & Process Safety, prior to which he worked at the UK utility Powergen plc as Group Engineering Director, as well as roles as a UKAEA Board member and also as a nuclear submarine engineer officer. He is a non-executive Director of Sellafield Ltd and chairs the Sellafield Board Committees on Environment, Health, Safety & Security and also People & Remuneration

He is a Chartered Engineer, Fellow of both the Royal Academy of Engineering and the Royal Society of Edinburgh. John was President of both the Institution of Mechanical Engineers and The Welding Institute.

John had broad and expert level experience in engineering, health and safety, and energy generation experience. John is passionate about people development, particularly advancing the opportunities for young people in STEM careers, including via apprenticeships. His dedication to charity work and fundraising to support young people, provides a depth of understanding during Board discussions on stakeholder engagement and culture matters. Also, having been born and brought up in Scotland he brings important insights to Drax on the local environment and culture.

Appointment to the Board:

April 2019

External appointments:

  • Sellafield Ltd (Non-Executive Director)
  • Sellafield Board Committee on Environment, Health, Safety & Security (Chair)

Andy Skelton, Group Chief Financial Officer

2 January 2019

Contribution and Experience

Using his strong financial and commercial skills built over 25 years, Andy provides the financial oversight and controls that has supported the growth of Drax from a renewable energy company to an international company with a differentiated portfolio.

Highly values driven, with a personal commitment to Drax’s climate, nature and people positive ambitions, Andy represents Drax as a member of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, helping create more opportunities and a better economy for the people of the North of England, where he also lives.

Previously Andy was CFO at Fidessa Group plc and has held a number of senior finance positions at CSR plc, Ericsson and Marconi, including two years as CFO of Ericsson Nikola Tesla. Andy has a BA in accounting and finance and qualified as a chartered accountant in 1994.

Appointment to the Board:

January 2019

Penny Small, Chief Transformation Officer

5 November 2018

Penny Small, Group Generation Director

Penny has a wealth of experience in the energy industry, and has led major integration and transformation projects, including the integration of International Power and GDF Suez.

She was previously Director of Asset Optimisation and Digital at Engie and, prior to that, was Director of Strategy and Communications.

Appointment to the Executive Committee:

  • November 2018

Vanessa Simms, Independent Non-Executive Director

20 June 2018

Contribution and Experience

Vanessa has extensive experience in senior finance roles across several different, and capital intensive, industries, including real estate, medical devices and telecommunications.

Vanessa is CFO of Land Securities Group plc and has worked in finance for over 20 years. Prior to her role at Land Securities Group plc,  Vanessa was CFO of Grainger plc, held a number of senior positions within Unite Group plc, including Deputy Chief Financial Officer, and was UK finance director at SEGRO plc. Vanessa is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants and has an Executive MBA from Ashridge.

Vanessa has broad and expert level experience in strategic capital allocation, finance, risk and internal controls at highly successful companies in the UK which is invaluable in her role as Chair of the Audit Committee. She has a comprehensive understanding of large, listed companies’ requirements and brings a rich insight into a broad range of stakeholder perspectives.

Appointment to the Board:

June 2018

External appointments:

  • Land Securities Group plc (Chief Financial Officer)

Nicola Hodson, Independent Non-Executive Director

12 January 2018

Contribution and Experience

As Chair of the Remuneration Committee Nicola brings to the role a wide range of experience of international business, government organisations, and dealing with a variety of stakeholders.

Nicola is currently Chief Executive of IBM UK and Ireland and Deputy President of TechUK. Previously she was Vice-President, Global Sales and Marketing, Field Transformation at Microsoft, Chief Operating Officer of Microsoft UK and previously held P&L and sales roles at Siemens, CSC (now DXC) and EY. Nicola is a Non-Executive Director of Beazley plc.

Nicola brings expert level technology knowledge, with her current working experience at the forefront of global organisations. She is also skilled in business and digital transformation, and sales. Nicola is committed to inclusivity and enabling people to realise their full potential, irrespective of their background.

Appointment to the Board:

January 2018

External Appointments

  • TechUK (Member of the Board)
  • Beazley plc (Non-executive director)

David Nussbaum, Senior Independent Non-Executive Director

1 August 2017

Contribution and Experience

David holds a portfolio of other Board appointments, including Chair of International Alert and of the Joffe Trust.  He also serves as a member of the Board (‘Council’) of Chatham House, and of the International Budget Partnership; is President of the Advisory Council of Transparency International UK; and is a member of the Ethical Investment Advisory Group of the Church of England.

David’s executive career has included being the Chief Executive of The Elders, of WWF-UK, and of Transparency International.  He was previously Finance Director and Deputy CEO of Oxfam, and CFO of Field Group plc.  In a non-executive capacity, David has been Deputy Chair of the International Integrated Reporting Council, Deputy Chair of Shared Interest Society, a non-executive director of Low Carbon Accelerator Limited, and Chair of Traidcraft plc.

David is a chartered accountant, and has a Masters in Theology from both Cambridge and Edinburgh universities, and a Masters in Finance from London Business School.

David’s extensive experience in international development and environmental matters, in addition to his prior experience as CFO of a UK listed industrial company, is of significant value to Drax and contributes to the Board’s discussions and understanding of the perspectives of and engagement undertaken with stakeholders.

Appointment to the Board: 

August 2017

External appointments:

  • Chatham House (Member of the Board)
  • The International Budget Partnership (Member of the Board)
  • The Ethical Investment Advisory Group of the Church of England (Member)
  • Advisory Council of Transparency International UK (Chair)