Esberger given role in RWE branding team

Simon Esberger, the commercial director of utility company npower whose role was axed last month, has been promoted to a new position at German parent company the RWE Group.

He will be part of the global branding team at RWE. It is not clear to whom he will report within npower’s parent company. Esberger has been with the company for three years.

A former BT Cellnet marketer, Esberger’s role was axed following a restructure (MW January 16). The restructure planned to focus on developing the company’s core electricity and gas customer base.

Npower is ditching its plans to be a home services brand and reverting to the aim of becoming a leading player in the gas and electricity market.

As part of the restructure, marketing director David Andrew has been given the role of director of brand development. In his new role, Andrew is responsible for both residential and business sectors.

Npower also appointed Thames Water customer services director Chris Johnson to its board as director of operations.

The water company is a subsidiary of the RWE group.

Meanwhile, npower has announced an increase in gas prices of 4.3 per cent, effective from April 1.

The move follows last week’s announcement by rival company Powergen, which increased its gas prices by 6.2 per cent (MW last week).