Mark McAllister set to become next Ofgem Chair
Mark McAllister is named as the government’s preferred candidate to be the next Chair of Ofgem, the energy regulator.
- Mark McAllister selected as preferred candidate for next Ofgem Chair
- Mark would bring 40 years of experience in the energy industry
- a hearing by the ESNZ Select Committee will be held to confirm the appointment
Mark McAllister is today (6 September 2023) named as the government’s preferred candidate to be the next Chair of Ofgem, the energy regulator.
Minister for Energy Consumers and Affordability Amanda Solloway said that Mark, currently Chair of the Office for Nuclear Regulation, will bring a “strong track record” in the industry to the role.
Mark would help ensure the energy market is fit for the future – from reforming the grid to supporting households in accessing smarter, more flexible energy.
Responsible for helping shape the regulator’s strategy and policy decisions, as Chair he will champion the interests of electricity and gas consumers. This involves working closely with government, which provided nearly £40 billion to cover around half a typical household’s energy bill last winter.
As we move to a more secure energy system, the Chair’s leadership will help us bring down household bills, protect vulnerable people and ensure the market is working for all consumers.
Minister for Energy Consumers and Affordability Amanda Solloway said:
We will always ensure the energy market is working for families to protect them from sky high bills, including by working closely with our partners at Ofgem.
Mark McAllister has a strong track record of advising governments and regulators on competition and regulation. His expertise will be vital in the years ahead, as we make sure more households have access to cheaper, cleaner energy.
I would also like to extend my warm thanks to Martin Cave for all of his work as Ofgem Chair since 2018.
An engineer by profession, Mark has served as Chair of the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) since April 2019, where he is charged with ensuring the ONR delivers efficient and effective regulation of the nuclear industry.
His selection follows a competitive recruitment process and will be scrutinised by the Energy Security and Net Zero (ESNZ) Select Committee at a forthcoming pre-appointment hearing.
The date of Mark’s pre-appointment hearing will be announced by the ESNZ Select Committee. If confirmed, he is expected to take up post in November.
Notes to editors
Mark McAllister has been Chair of the Office for Nuclear Regulation since April 2019 and serves on the Management Committee of the Public Chairs Forum.
During a 40-year executive career in the upstream energy industry Mark was on the executive board of 2 of the UK’s most successful independent companies, Monument and LASMO. He also founded and served as CEO of 2 North Sea start-up businesses, Acorn and Fairfield Energy, and was most recently CEO of PA Resources, listed on the Scandinavian NASDAQ.
Mark served as Chairman of OSPRAG (Oil Spill Prevention and Response Advisory Group) which formulated the joint response of the North Sea oil industry, trade unions and government to the Macondo blowout in the Gulf of Mexico. In 2009 he was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Technology from Robert Gordon’s University for services to the oil industry.
Over the last 20 years, Mark has held a number of non-executive roles in the charitable sector. He is currently Chair of Oasis Charitable Trust, who work across the UK to transform communities through a wide range of services including education and housing.