Energy giant OVO unveils new chief executive

Bristol energy firm OVO has confirmed David Buttress will be its new chief executive.

Buttress is known for his leadership at Just Eat, where he guided the company from its launch to joining the stock market.

He was also appointed as a cost of living adviser in Boris Johnson’s government.He will replace Raman Bhatia, whose appointment as chief executive of Starling Bank was announced earlier this month.

Buttress’s appointment comes in the wake of OVO’s acquisition of SSE’s retail arm which took place in 2020.

OVO has four million customers in the UK, placing it third in the market behind Centrica’s British Gas and Octopus Energy.

Under Stephen Fitzpatrick, OVO’s founder, the company positioned itself as a challenger brand offering superior service to the industry’s established players.

In recent weeks it has been at the centre of a public row over the sums it has taken out of customers’ accounts following public complaints made by Victoria Coren Mitchell, the writer and TV presenter.

David Buttress said: “OVO was energy’s first challenger brand and I want us to continue in that spirit, with a determination and passion to give customers a world class experience.

“Busy families need suppliers of all kinds to display a high degree of empathy and consideration for what they need in their lives. I believe we can provide the right service, products and experiences needed to meet that demand and more.”

Justin King , non-executive chair of the OVO Board, said: “David knows retail and he knows what consumers want. His instinct changed the food delivery market for the better. Now he has the opportunity to deliver for millions of UK households in energy, bringing compassion and collaboration, two of his hallmarks. He’s the perfect fit for OVO, leading our outstanding team as we enter our next chapter.”

Daniel Sasaki, managing partner at Mayfair Equity Partners, said: “David’s success at Just Eat and his other board roles has shown him to be a pioneer of digital disruption, something we are also proud of at OVO. His reputation for driving exceptional results through collaborative leadership is exactly what we need to fuel the next stage of OVO’s development, and we are pleased to welcome him as CEO.”

Earlier this month, outgoing CEO Raman Bhatia announced his departure from the company.