23rd January by Jane Goult
px Group, the operator of several key UK infrastructure sites, owner of Saltend Chemicals Park, and company responsible for processing up to 30% of the UK’s gas supply, has appointed a new Chief Operating Officer (COO), David Thompson.
As part of his role, David will also join px Group’s Executive Committee.
David joins px Group from Sembcorp, where he was UK Operations Director, leading substantial teams and safely running large scale assets in highly regulated, high hazard environments such as petrochemical, energy and industrial parks. At Sembcorp, David was responsible for the operational turnaround and integration of the 800MW decentralised energy UK Power Reserve acquisition, has built and operated one of the UK’s largest battery storage portfolios, and has led extensive safety improvement programs and asset management transformation projects with a focus on decarbonisation technologies.
David will be responsible for development of the asset management teams to meet the businesses growth strategy and the safe, efficient and reliable operation of the sites it owns, such as Saltend Chemicals Park, and the assets it runs on behalf of owners, such as St Fergus Gas Plant and the Teesside Gas Processing Plant.
px Group says David’s broad expertise of local and international projects, such as those in Hydrogen, energy from waste, and long-term energy storage will help it to continue to support its clients’ and its own decarbonisation ambitions.
David has a particular expertise in digitalisation and automation, which are key components of energy efficiency. The International Energy Agency says energy efficiency represents more than 40% of the emissions abatement needed by 2040*.
Geoff Holmes, CEO of px Group, adds: “David is an engineer by trade, has a detailed knowledge of UK energy and infrastructure, and his ambitions match ours. He is also local to our headquarters in Stockton, having spent the last fifteen years in and around the North East with Sembcorp at Wilton.”
“He will be instrumental in driving our ambitions of growth internationally and domestically, whilst ensuring our sites and assets are operating safely and as efficiently as possible.”
David Thompson comments: “I am delighted to have started with px Group, a company playing a crucial role in UK energy supply, security and decarbonisation, with an exciting ambition to grow. We are responsible for several of the UK’s most important energy assets, and that’s a huge challenge as we continue to focus on efficiency and decarbonisation, while keeping safety and our people at the heart of everything we do.”
David replaces Trevor High, who has spent more than 30 years with px Group in various positions including Director of Site Operations and MD of Industrial Parks, Power and Renewables. He spent the last two years as COO.Trevor will move into a part-time strategic role with px Group.
Geoff Holmes adds: “I would also like to pay a special thanks to Trevor High, who has been a key driver of the company’s growth since its inception more than 20 years ago. I am grateful to have had his support and guidance in the four and a half years I have been here.”
“I am delighted that Trevor has agreed to stay on in a part-time role, continuing to offer his expertise and know-how to our people.”
px Group is backed by Ara Partners, a private equity company specialising in decarbonisation investments.
