Vincent de Rivaz is due to step down as chief executive of EDF Energy in October, following a successful campaign to ensure a deal for the construction of the Hinkley Point C nuclear power plant.
De Rivaz will be replaced by EDF Energy’s incumbent international head, Simone Rossi, on the 1st of November after a 15 year tenure – the longest of any Big Six boss. The reasons for his stepping down have not yet been made public, but it is understood that the decision was made a few months ago, but was delayed until a suitable successor could be selected.
It is also believed that his stepping down is related to satisfaction at having finally managed to secure a deal to build the Hinkley Point nuclear plant in Somerset. The campaign to get Hinkley secured was not a straightforward one, fraught as it was with controversies and criticism of everything from its environmental impact, its cost and potential security flaws related to Chinese involvement.
De Rivaz made it clear that he had no plans to retire completely, and said: “I feel a duty of care and a duty of passion for EDF Energy and for EDF. It is my privilege to be able to serve EDF Energy and EDF until the moment I leave”. He has been at the helm of the UK arm of the part state-owned French energy giant since it was formed through a large merger in 2002. He had spent a further 25 years within the EDF group before that.
His successor, Rossi, joined EDF back in 2011 as chief financial officer, before becoming head of the company’s international division. He will have his work cut out for him as Hinkley’s construction actually begins.
