Guernsey Electricity appoints new Chair

Monday 20 June 2022

Guernsey Electricity has appointed Peter Shaefer as Chair of its Board of Directors following the retirement of Ian Hardman.

Mr Shaefer, a current Board member at the utility, is to take on his new role in July as Mr Hardman stands down after 11 years as part of the executive team. The company continues to be led by Chief Executive Alan Bates.

Mr Hardman said: “It has been a privilege to serve the people of Guernsey over the past decade. We have ensured that we kept the lights on through many challenges including subsea cable breakages that were repaired in record time and, of course, more recently, by providing a critical service for the island during the pandemic.

“I have worked alongside some superb and talented people at Guernsey Electricity, benefitting from their wealth of expertise and industry experience, so am confident I am leaving the company under the excellent leadership of Alan, Peter, and the Board of Directors." 

Mr Shaefer has a degree in geology and is a chartered accountant. He has substantial business and commercial experience, having held a number of senior positions in both energy and consumer products industries, including as a member of the executive committee of the US-listed company Coty Inc. He joined Guernsey Electricity as a non-executive director in 2018.

Commenting on his new role, Mr Shaefer said: "I am really looking forward to the challenge. As an island, and as a company, we are at a pivotal time as we set out to deliver on the energy policy and ensure we pursue the right electricity strategy in a fair and equitable way." 

Pictured (top): L-R, Ian Hardman, retiring Chair of Guernsey Electricity, and Peter Shaefer, who takes on the role in July.