SSE plc, the Perth-based energy infrastructure giant, announced the appointment of Finlay McCutcheon as the new managing director of its SSE Thermal business, starting in May.

SSE announced in December that Catherine Raw, current managing director of SSE Thermal business, will leave on April 12, 2024, to become chief development officer at global mining company BHP in Australia.

SSE is the biggest listed company run from Scotland.

“Finlay will be responsible for driving the strategy, performance and development of the company’s flexible power generation and energy storage activities in the UK and Ireland, including the delivery of SSE’s new low-carbon hydrogen and carbon capture projects,” said SSE.

“Finlay will commence his new role in May 2024 and will become part of the group executive committee during the course of the summer.

“He will report to Martin Pibworth, SSE’s chief commercial officer and board member.

“Finlay is currently Director of Onshore Renewables (Europe) at SSE Renewables, where he has been responsible for the development, construction, and operation of all of SSE’s Onshore Wind, Hydro, Pumped Storage, and Solar and Battery investments across Europe.

“Prior to that he has held several senior roles within SSE, including as Managing Director of SSE’s Energy Portfolio Management division (now Energy Markets) and as Director of SSE Business Energy.

“After graduating from the University of Edinburgh, Finlay worked as a Corporate & Commercial lawyer, before joining SSE in 2010.

“Finlay joins SSE Thermal following a period of strong performance with the company’s existing assets playing a key role in recent years supporting the electricity systems in both the UK and Ireland.

“SSE Thermal has a growing portfolio of low-carbon growth options, with development work progressing on carbon capture projects at Keadby and Peterhead, sustainable biofuels in Ireland and hydrogen projects across the value chain of production, storage and power generation.

“The company has recently announced plans for a new hydrogen-ready power station at Keadby.”

SSE chief commercial officer Martin Pibworth said: “SSE’s Thermal business is essential to providing the critical flexibility needed for delivering an affordable, secure and low carbon electricity system.

“Finlay is a proven leader with outstanding experience of managing the development, construction and operation of generation and storage assets alongside a deep understanding of energy markets.

“I am confident he can build on the strong foundations already there in SSE Thermal and help take the business on to the next level, delivering for our stakeholders and shareholders, and making a positive contribution to our net zero journey.”

McCutcheon said: “I’m proud to be taking on this new role within SSE Thermal, which boasts world-class assets, a growing low-carbon portfolio and an exceptional team who are at the forefront of some of the most pressing and compelling challenges in the energy transition.

“Delivering new flexible power generation while ensuring a just transition to net zero is crucial if we’re to meet the capacity challenge while rising to the low-carbon opportunity.

“I am hugely excited to be joining an outstanding team and getting to work on the exciting opportunities that lie ahead of us to contribute to the energy transition.”