Former SSE boss joins board of Edinburgh hydrogen pioneer with global ambitions

Edinburgh-based Logan Energy has appointed former SSE boss Ian Marchant to its board as it looks to create a UK powerhouse within the green hydrogen sector.

Marchant is one of three high-profile board hires as the clean energy pioneer eyes international expansion.

The former chief executive of Perth-based utility giant SSE is to take up the role of chairman. He is being joined by non-executive directors Bob MacDonald, former CEO of specialist technical solutions at Wood, and Derek Mathieson, former chief marketing and technology officer at Baker Hughes.

Marchant, who is the current chairman of Thames Water, has more than 30 years of industry experience driving companies at the forefront of the private utility, power generation and clean energy markets.

Ian Marchant, who becomes chairman of Logan Energy, has more than 30 years of industry experience driving companies at the forefront of the private utility, power generation and clean energy markets.

He said: “I have felt for some time that hydrogen has the potential to be one of the transforming technologies of the 21st century and its deployment will be key to achieving a net zero carbon society as soon as possible, particularly in the fields of transport and urban heat.

“This will require expertise in developing and deploying technologies and projects that are transformational at local, regional and international levels. Logan Energy has the track record, knowledge, and knowhow to lead these initiatives.

“It is exciting to get involved in an established business that’s part of a growing industry and I believe that hydrogen can have as big an impact as North Sea oil and gas had in the 1970s or the wind industry had in the early 2000s. I look forward to playing my part.”

MacDonald most recently led the consultancy division of multinational energy and engineering services business Wood, focusing on the clean energy, automation, nuclear, oil and gas, mining and digital markets. He said: “The speed of change in the hydrogen market is massive and will continue to grow exponentially as we decarbonise our industries and services in line with net zero objectives.

“Logan Energy have been in this market for quarter of a century and are now an exemplar within the energy transition sector with a proven track record for delivering cutting-edge projects and solutions in the low carbon and hydrogen sectors both in the UK and Europe.

“The business finds itself at a pivotal moment and has ambitions to build on this success internationally. I believe that this is where my experience can make a difference and I’m excited to get started.”

Mathieson, who has held a diverse range of C-level roles and brings 25 years of energy supply chain experience, said: “Logan Energy has been blazing a trail for nearly three decades, kickstarting some of the UK’s first connected hydrogen ecosystems which are thriving today.

“I believe that the company is extremely well positioned for growth and that there is a critical opportunity to create a UK powerhouse within the green hydrogen sector.”

Bill Ireland, chief executive of Logan Energy, added: “These appointments represent a significant reinforcement of our executive team across a breadth of sectors and specialisms.

“Their industry expertise will play an invaluable role in Logan Energy’s growth plans as we scale our operation internationally and cement hydrogen’s role at the forefront of the energy transition.”

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this article. We’re more reliant on your support than ever as the shift in consumer habits brought about by coronavirus impacts our advertisers. If you haven’t already, please consider supporting our trusted, fact-checked journalism by taking out a digital subscription: www.scotsman.com/subscriptions