The British Gas boss, Chris Weston, will leave to take the top job at temporary power provider Aggreko (LSE: AGK), at a time when parent company Centrica (LSE: CNA) (NASDAQOTH: CPYYY.US) is facing mounting political pressure over high energy prices.
Aggreko expect that Mr Weston, who has been described by his new company as having “consistently succeeded in driving performance in his career”, will take up the role in 2015.
Until that point Aggreko’s interim chief executive, Angus Cockburn, will continue in his post.
There has been media speculation that Sam Laidlaw, the Centrica chief executive who announced his intention to step down later this year, could also imminently leave the company.
Sky News reported late on Wednesday evening that Ian Conn, a senior BP executive, had been offered the outgoing Laidlaw’s job, but the move could cause political controversy.
The negotiations hinge on whether Centrica would compensate Mr Conn for his BP shareholding, thought to be worth £3m, and an additional £16m worth of additional performance-related share awards. Mr Laidlaw gave up his bonus at Centrica this year amid widespread anger over rising energy costs.
Shares in Centrica were up 1% at 335p during early trade this morning, while Aggreko shares fell 3% to 1,700p.