Virgin Energy managing director takes over at London Electricity

Virgin Energy managing director Jon Kinsey has been promoted to managing director at the company’s parent, London Electricity (LE).

As the managing director of LE’s energy retail business, Kinsey will be responsible for the company’s three brands: LE, SWEB and Virgin Energy.

He replaces Martin Wenban, the former managing director and top retail supply marketer for LE, who left in June without a job to go to (MW June 14).

Kinsey will report to LE Group chairman and chief executive Bruno Lescoeur. In his previous position, Kinsey reported to Wenban.

Kinsey hints that LE and SWEB brands could be merged into one: “Operationally all three brands are functioning as one. Virgin has national recognition. I can’t see all the three being merged into one, but LE and SWEB might evolve at some stage.”

Virgin Energy was consolidated into LE after the company bought a 75 per cent controlling stake in Sir Richard Branson’s energy business in July (MW July 12).

LE had originally owned 25 per cent of the company and in July Virgin Energy sold a further 50 per cent stake to LE, which now plans to inject further capital into the brand.

Kinsey has been managing director of Virgin Energy since it was established 18 months ago.

He was formerly marketing boss at British Gas Trading, and before that was the marketing director at Camelot during the launch of the the National Lottery.

London Electricity Group, which supplies energy to 3 million customers, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Electricité de France (EdF).

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