London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Wednesday, Jul 09, 2025

Ministers spark energy regulator board overhaul amid prepayment meter scandal

Ministers spark energy regulator board overhaul amid prepayment meter scandal

Three members of Ofgem's six-strong board are likely to step down this year as Grant Shapps pushes for new blood at the under-fire energy regulator.

The government is preparing to replace a slate of Ofgem's directors this year as the energy regulator faces intense criticism over its handling of the prepayment meters scandal.

Sky News understands that the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (ESNZ) has begun recruiting a new chair for the watchdog, as well as four non-executive board members.

The Ofgem board currently comprises Professor Martin Cave, who will step down as chairman in October when his five-year term expires, a slate of independent directors and Jonathan Brearley, its chief executive.

Two non-executives who have already departed will be replaced, while two more - Lynne Embleton and John Crackett - have terms expiring later this year.

A further two board members are due to serve until 2025.

An Ofgem spokesperson said its chairman "will not be seeking reappointment for the role".

"The chair will be appointed by the Secretary of State for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero who are overseeing the selection process."

Insiders at the watchdog disputed the characterisation of the recruitment process as a clearout and insisted that it represented "business as usual appointments related to the natural expiry of contracts and standard procedure".

Jonathan Brearley is Ofgem's chief executive

They insisted that Ms Embleton and Mr Crackett could be reappointed to serve a further five-year term, while the non-executive contingent could swell to as many as eight directors before reducing as appointment terms come to an end.

Nevertheless, many industry executives have been pressing for an overhaul of the Ofgem board for some time.

Mr Brearley has also come under intense pressure, with former prime minister Gordon Brown saying he should consider resigning over the scandal which saw thousands of vulnerable households forced to install costlier prepayment meters.

Ofgem has since unveiled a series of measures to crack down on misconduct by energy suppliers.

The board recruitment process is being run by Audeliss Executive Search.

Potential candidates for the chair role have been given until the middle of next month to apply for the role, which pays up to £180,000-a-year for an average of about three days a week.

Ofgem's new non-executive directors will receive annual fees of £20,000.

A government spokesperson said: "Ofgem protects consumers and ensures effective energy regulation in Great Britain, and the roles of chair and board members of Ofgem are essential to that purpose.

"Audeliss are specialists in the recruitment of diverse executive and board level appointments.

"The recruitment process is in progress.

"The new Ofgem chair and non-executive directors will be announced in due course."

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
BRICS Expands Membership with Indonesia and Ten New Partner Countries
Weinstein Victim’s Lawyer Says MeToo Movement Still Strong
U.S. Enacts Sweeping Tax and Spending Legislation Amid Trade Policy Shifts
Football Mourns as Diogo Jota and Brother André Silva Laid to Rest in Portugal
Labour Expected to Withdraw Support for Special Needs Funding Model
Leaked Audio Reveals Tory Aide Defending DEI Record
Elon Musk Founds a Party Following a Poll on X: "You Wanted It – You Got It!"
London Stock Exchange Faces Historic Low in Initial Public Offerings
A new online platform has emerged in the United Kingdom, specifically targeting Muslim men seeking virgin brides
Trump Celebrates Independence Day with B-2 Flyover and Signs Controversial Legislation
Boris Johnson Urges Conservatives to Ignore Farage
SNP Ordered to Update Single-Sex Space Guidance Within Days
Starmer Set to Reject Calls for Wealth Taxes
Stolen Century-Old Rolls-Royce Recovered After Hotel Theft
Macron Presses Starmer to Recognise Palestinian State
Labour Delayed Palestine Action Ban Over Riot Concerns
Swinney’s Tax Comments ‘Offensive to Scots’, Say Tories
High Street Retailers to Enforce Bans on Serial Shoplifters
Music Banned by Henry VIII to Be Performed After 500 Years
Steve Coogan Says Working Class Is Being ‘Ethnically Cleansed’
Home Office Admits Uncertainty Over Visa Overstayer Numbers
JD Vance Questions Mandelson Over Reform Party’s Rising Popularity
Macron to Receive Windsor Carriage Ride in Royal Gesture
Labour Accused of ‘Hammering’ Scots During First Year in Power
BBC Head of Music Stood Down Amid Bob Vylan Controversy
Corbyn Eyes Hard-Left Challenge to Starmer’s Leadership
London Tube Trains Suspended After Major Fire Erupts Nearby
Richard Kemp: I Felt Safer in Israel Under Attack Than in the UK
Cyclist Says Police Cited Human Rights Act for Riding No-Handed
China’s Central Bank Consults European Peers on Low-Rate Strategies
AI Raises Alarms Over Long-Term Job Security
Saudi Arabia Maintains Ties with Iran Despite Israel Conflict
Musk Battles to Protect Tesla Amid Trump Policy Threats
Air France-KLM Acquires Majority Stake in Scandinavian Airlines
UK Educators Sound Alarm on Declining Child Literacy
Shein Fined €40 Million in France Over Misleading Discounts
Brazil’s Lula Visits Kirchner During Argentina House Arrest
Trump Scores Legislative Win as House Passes Tax Reform Bill
Keir Starmer Faces Criticism After Rocky First Year in Power
DJI Launches Heavy-Duty Coaxial Quadcopter with 80 kg Lift Capacity
U.S. Senate Approves Major Legislation Dubbed the 'Big Beautiful Bill'
Largest Healthcare Fraud Takedown in U.S. History Announced by DOJ
Poland Implements Border Checks Amid Growing Migration Tensions
Political Dispute Escalates Between Trump and Musk
Emirates Airline Expands Market Share with New $20 Million Campaign
Amazon Reaches Milestone with Deployment of One Millionth Robot
US Senate Votes to Remove AI Regulation Moratorium from Domestic Policy Bill
Yulia Putintseva Calls for Spectator Ejection at Wimbledon Over Safety Concerns
Jury Deliberations in Diddy Trial Yield Partial Verdict in Serious Criminal Charges
House Oversight Committee Subpoenas Former Jill Biden Aide Amid Investigation into Alleged Concealment of President Biden's Cognitive Health
×