New boss at Jersey Gas

Wednesday 08 July 2020

Jersey Gas's parent company has appointed a new CEO after the previous boss stepped down following a row over pandemic funding with the government.

David Cruddace has taken up the role at Islands Energy Group (IEG) in succession to Ian Plenderleith, who led a battle against the Government of Jersey to get the company's workers access to the co-funded payroll scheme amid a reported 50% drop in sales over lockdown.

The government offered alternatives such as the covid-19 business loan scheme, but, to access that, Jersey Gas would have to provide not only its own accounts but also those of parent company IEG - something it refused to do.

The company argued it was only seeking short-term funding and had provided “the same detailed financial information, including all historic financial information and forward-looking forecasts, that is required of any business”.

With neither party budging, Jersey Gas eventually announced it had “no choice” but to raise prices by 6.5% for customers. 

Just weeks later, Mr Plenderleith amended his LinkedIn profile to state that his employment with IEG had come to an end. Contacted by Express, IEG confirmed that he had left the company.

Pictured: Mr Plenderleith's Linkedin profile.

IEG announced his replacement in a statement this morning: "Islands Energy Group, the company which owns Manx Gas, Guernsey Gas and Jersey Gas has announced the appointment of a new Chief Executive Officer. 

"Mr David Cruddace has taken up the role in succession to Mr Ian Plenderleith, previously Group Managing Director of IEG, who has recently left the business. 

"Mr Cruddace has extensive experience having held senior management positions in a number of businesses."