Rogerson to head Viridian

PHILIP ROGERSON, (pictured, right) the former deputy chairman of British Gas, is to become the next chairman of Viridian, the parent company of Northern Ireland Electricity.

Mr Rogerson was the executive responsible for putting BG's case to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission during its long and bitter battle over prices with the gas industry regulator, Clare Spottiswoode of Ofgas.

He also helped to oversee the demerger of British Gas into the trading and supply business, Centrica, and the pipeline, storage and exploration arm, BG.

Mr Rogerson will take over from the current Viridian chairman, David Jefferies, on 1 January next year. Mr Jefferies, chairman of the National Grid, has held the Viridian post for the past four years.

Prior to joining British Gas, Mr Rogerson was general manager finance at ICI. His current boardroom posts include the deputy chairman's job at International Public Relations.