RenewableUK has appointed Hugh McNeal as its new chief executive, who will take up his new post in April. He takes over from Maria McCaffery, who has headed the organisation since June 2006.

McNeal is currently director of change at the Department of Energy and Climate Change, where he is focussed on improving the department’s efficiency and delivering financial savings.

His other roles have included chief executive of the Office for Renewable Energy Deployment at DECC, and deputy director of Low Carbon Business at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

McNeal, the key player commented the announcement:

“It will be a privilege to represent an industry which is playing such a vital role in providing safe, secure power for our country’s homes and businesses, as well as tens of thousands of high quality jobs across the UK.”