Powergen picks md for retail arm

Powergen has appointed the managing director of its energy trading business, Nick Horler, as managing director for its retail business. Horler replaces Mike Wagner, who has left to become managing director of NTL’s business division.

Horler joined Powergen in 1996 as sales and marketing director of the industrial and commercial division. His position has been filled by Tony Cocker, the managing director of Powergen’s European generation and asset management business.

The utility company recently launched GreenPlan – a “green” electricity tariff, in partnership with the World Wildlife Fund (MW August 2). GreenPlan promises that for every unit of electricity a customer uses, Powergen will buy or generate the equivalent amount from renewable sources. The package will cost 3.5 per cent more than normal Powergen electricity.

Creative work for Powergen’s high-profile sponsorship of all of ITV’s national weather bulletins, worth an estimated &£35m, was recently awarded to creative agency Soul. The account covers sponsorship credits for a year. The ITV deal has been running since 1998.

Earlier this year, Powergen was acquired by German utility company Eon, in a deal worth &£9.6bn. (MW April 12).