This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2013/feb/10/sse-chief-executive-customer-relations

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
SSE boss wants the John Lewis effect SSE boss wants the John Lewis effect
(7 months later)
The newly appointed boss of SSE, one of the big six power suppliers, says he wants the company to become the John Lewis or Marks & Spencer of the energy world with a far better relationship with its customers.The newly appointed boss of SSE, one of the big six power suppliers, says he wants the company to become the John Lewis or Marks & Spencer of the energy world with a far better relationship with its customers.
Alistair Phillips-Davies, who takes over formally as chief executive of the business this summer, has already ditched his own access to a controversial staff subsidy on fuel and handed it over to charity.Alistair Phillips-Davies, who takes over formally as chief executive of the business this summer, has already ditched his own access to a controversial staff subsidy on fuel and handed it over to charity.
SSE, along with the other Big Six firms, is battling to regain trust after a long period when the industry has been attacked by the public, politicians and media for high fuel prices, soaring executive pay and questionable door-step selling practices.SSE, along with the other Big Six firms, is battling to regain trust after a long period when the industry has been attacked by the public, politicians and media for high fuel prices, soaring executive pay and questionable door-step selling practices.
The companies are themselves struggling with debt problems and are also being courted for more than £100bn of new investment as Britain tries to build a new lower carbon energy landscape.The companies are themselves struggling with debt problems and are also being courted for more than £100bn of new investment as Britain tries to build a new lower carbon energy landscape.
Phillips-Davies said he was fed up being tarred with some of the bad press that could legitimately go to others. "Some of them (our rivals) probably deserve it. I think we deserve it less," he told the Sunday Telegraph.Phillips-Davies said he was fed up being tarred with some of the bad press that could legitimately go to others. "Some of them (our rivals) probably deserve it. I think we deserve it less," he told the Sunday Telegraph.
"The way customers feel about M&S and John Lewis, both of these are good examples of the way we want customers to feel about us," added Phillips-Davies who is currently the deputy to outgoing boss Ian Marchant."The way customers feel about M&S and John Lewis, both of these are good examples of the way we want customers to feel about us," added Phillips-Davies who is currently the deputy to outgoing boss Ian Marchant.
Meanwhile, one of SSE's rivals, RWE has warned that its £3bn pipeline of investments over the past three years will not be continued in future unless the coalition government can come up with "desperately needed" clarity over future energy policy.Meanwhile, one of SSE's rivals, RWE has warned that its £3bn pipeline of investments over the past three years will not be continued in future unless the coalition government can come up with "desperately needed" clarity over future energy policy.
A new energy bill that addresses some of the issues is undergoing parliamentary scrutiny but the Big Six have increasingly complained the detail provided is still sadly lacking.A new energy bill that addresses some of the issues is undergoing parliamentary scrutiny but the Big Six have increasingly complained the detail provided is still sadly lacking.
Paul Massara, the UK boss of the German-owned utility, which has already dropped its nuclear ambitions in Britain, told the Telegraph: "I doubt that we will be investing the kind of money we have been investing unless there are propositions which attract not only us but also enable other capital lenders to come into the market place."Paul Massara, the UK boss of the German-owned utility, which has already dropped its nuclear ambitions in Britain, told the Telegraph: "I doubt that we will be investing the kind of money we have been investing unless there are propositions which attract not only us but also enable other capital lenders to come into the market place."
RWE and others are not considered to be good bets by the City. "RWE ultimately has too much debt and too little flexibility in a market where the outlook is dismal," said the latest equity analyst report on the German power business from the London office of the Berenberg Bank.RWE and others are not considered to be good bets by the City. "RWE ultimately has too much debt and too little flexibility in a market where the outlook is dismal," said the latest equity analyst report on the German power business from the London office of the Berenberg Bank.
Following the decision by British Gas-owner Centrica to withdraw from building new nuclear, the Danish utility, Dong Energy, is hoping it can offload half of the 50% stake it holds in the London Array wind farm to a Canadian pension fund.Following the decision by British Gas-owner Centrica to withdraw from building new nuclear, the Danish utility, Dong Energy, is hoping it can offload half of the 50% stake it holds in the London Array wind farm to a Canadian pension fund.
Last week the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills, announced plans to invest £50m in six onshore and offshore wind farms through a stake in a new fund, Greencoat UK Wind. Wind farms are being purchased by Greencoat from RWE and SSE at a time when backbench Conservative MPs continue to question whether there is any value in generating power from this kind of technology.Last week the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills, announced plans to invest £50m in six onshore and offshore wind farms through a stake in a new fund, Greencoat UK Wind. Wind farms are being purchased by Greencoat from RWE and SSE at a time when backbench Conservative MPs continue to question whether there is any value in generating power from this kind of technology.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.