Meet our leadership team

Ian Smyth has been Group CEO of Electricity North West since 2022.

Prior to Electricity North West Limited, Ian was a Director of UK Power Networks, a Managing Director of Navigant a global advisory and dispute resolution consultancy and the lead partner of the Utilities and Regulated Industries practice for LCP. He has been a consultant for Ernst & Young. Ian has worked internationally for governments, regulators and utilities across electricity, gas and water.

Ian has a BA(Hons) in philosophy, psychology and artificial intelligence from Manchester Metropolitan University and an MSc in Cognitive Science from the University of Birmingham.

Chris has been Group CFO of Electricity North West since 2023 and is responsible for our overall financial management, including the company’s financial planning and reporting.

Before joining Electricity North West Chris was CFO of Yorkshire Water, a role he held from June 2020. He has also previously held the roles of finance director of both Northumbrian Water Group and Northern Gas Networks, and before that worked in the regulated financial services industry.

Chris' focus is the core finance, financing and legal requirements of the Group to support the challenges of the latest price control period.

Stephanie joined Electricity North West in 2008 and has more than 20 years’ experience in customer roles within the utilities industry.

Stephanie ensures that customers are at the heart of the business by bringing to the life the customer voice, driving the continuous improvement of our customer’s experience.

In her time with the business, Stephanie and the team have claimed several customer awards, Stephanie also leads the team in delivering an inclusive approach that supports our customers when the circumstances create a vulnerability and need for some extra care.

Rachael joined Electricity North West in 2016 and has extensive experience of working in HR roles across a number of sectors including oil, gas and financial services. 

Rachael is responsible for our HR teams as well as training, accommodation and communications. In 2020, Rachael led Electricity North West to become one of the first members of Greater Manchester Combined Authority's Good Employment Charter.

A member of the Energy Networks Association’s Diversity and Inclusion committee, Rachael ensures that this is a significant area of focus on Electricity North West’s people agenda as we aim to attract, develop and retain the best people to help us deliver our £1.7bn business plan.

Ben is responsible for our strategy, innovation, and corporate development functions as well as driving our regulatory, distribution system operator, and stakeholder programs regionally and nationally.  Ben and his team play a critical role in shaping the future of the electricity landscape in the North West.

Ben is also the managing Director of the grid-edge electricity services and solutions businesses within the Electricity North West group of companies.

Ben boasts a wealth of experience in both the UK and global utilities sector, having worked for the past 15 years at the consultancy Guidehouse (formerly Navigant) where he was partner and international energy sector lead.

Paul leads our asset management and investment teams and has more than 30 years’ experience across electricity networks and major contracting companies in the energy sector. 

Paul and his team play a key role in the planning and delivery of our £2billion network investment plan from 2023-2028, ensuring that our investments are fit for now as well as the future clean growth of our region.

He is a chartered engineer and Fellow of the Institution of Engineering and Technology.

Paul has a Batchelor’s degree in electrical and electronic engineering and Master’s degree in business administration.

David joined the business in December 2023 from UK Power Networks as our new Digital & Technology Director. 

Mark joined Electricity North West in 2004 and has more than 19 years’ experience in a variety of roles across the business.

As Network Operations Director, Mark focuses on improving the reliability and overall health of the network.

Mark led our network control room for five years and as well as delivering industry-leading reliability performance, Mark also oversaw the implementation and embedding of our advanced control room management system.