OREANDA-NEWS. Richard Gillingwater CBE will be appointed Deputy Chairman of SSE plc on 1 January 2015. Subject to being re-elected to the Board at the Annual General Meeting in July 2015, he will be appointed Chairman in succession to Lord Smith of Kelvin, who will step down from the Board of SSE plc on 1 January 2016 after 13 years' service.

Richard joined the Board of SSE plc as a non-Executive Director in 2007 and became Senior Independent Director in 2012. Amongst other things, he has been Chairman of European Investment Banking at Credit Suisse First Boston, Chairman of the Shareholder Executive and Dean of the Cass Business School. He is currently Chairman of Henderson Group plc, in addition to carrying out a number of other appointments.

As Deputy Chairman, Richard's duties will include those normally required of a non-Executive Director. He will continue with his existing duties as Senior Independent Director, will chair the Remuneration Committee and will support the Chairman in ensuring that the Board operates effectively as it addresses the operational, market and financial issues that SSE will face in 2015 and beyond.

Robert joined the Board of SSE plc as a non-Executive Director in 2003 and became non-Executive Chairman in 2005. In that time, SSE has added significantly to its asset base in electricity generation and energy networks, increased its number of energy supply customers by around half and expanded to become a major energy provider in Ireland.

The process for identifying who should succeed Robert as non-Executive Chairman was led by independent non-Executive Director, Katie Bickerstaffe.

Robert said:

"I am delighted that Richard will become Deputy Chairman and, in due course, Chairman of SSE. He will bring to both roles extensive knowledge of the sector, outstanding experience of dealing with business issues in a FTSE 100 company and first class judgement in addressing the needs of all of SSE's stakeholders, from customers to investors."

Richard said:

"Robert is one of the outstanding business leaders of our time and has been a very successful Chairman of SSE, demonstrating all of the qualities needed of a FTSE 100 Chairman. I am looking forward to supporting him in the months ahead as we work together to ensure that SSE continues to fulfil its core purpose, of providing the energy people need in a reliable and sustainable way."