Centrica plc, the owner of British Gas, has announced that, effective 16 December 2024, Kevin O’Byrne will succeed Scott Wheway when Wheway steps down after five years as chair.

O’Byrne has served as a non-executive director of the company since May 2019 and was chair of Centrica’s audit and risk committee from 2019 to 2023. He is currently the company’s senior independent director and a member of the nominations committee and audit and risk committee.

O’Byrne has held CFO and CEO roles in a number of leading UK and international retailers since 2004, including chief financial officer of J Sainsbury plc from 2017 to 2023, and CEO of Poundland before that.

He was previously an executive director of Kingfisher plc and Dixons Retail plc. From 2008 to 2017, at Land Securities plc, O’Byrne was a NED, chair of the audit committee and senior independent director.

O’Byrne is currently also a non-executive director of NYSE listed International Flavors & Fragrances Inc (IFF), a multinational supplier to the food, beverage, beauty, and household and personal care sectors.

In line with UK Corporate Governance Code recommendations, as the senior independent director was a candidate for the role of chair, non-executive director Amber Rudd led a search process that considered internal and external candidates.

Chris O’Shea, group chief executive, said: “On behalf of the board I would like to thank Scott for the contribution he has made to Centrica, chairing the board through a period of significant volatility and change for the company…

“…I’m delighted Kevin has agreed to become our next chair. I’m looking forward to working with Kevin and the Board to drive further growth as we work to capture the opportunities our uniquely integrated business model creates for us.”