Energy leader Jenny Moten elected to North West CBI regional council

Date published: 21 January 2020


One of the leading figures in the North West energy sector has been elected to the regional council of business organisation, the CBI.

Jenny Moten, Director of Cadent’s North West network, begins a three-year term this month (January) as a member of the North West CBI Regional Council.

The forum of around 50 top businessmen and women are elected by peers to champion North West business and inform CBI policy and direction.

Jenny joined Cadent in June 2019 and heads the North West network responsible for safely distributing gas to millions of homes, industry and HGV fuel stations in Cumbria, Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire.

Cadent is a driving force behind UK-leading projects, such as HyNet North West, to provide – by 2024 – zero-carbon hydrogen to energy-intensive heavy industries in the North West and to help heat around two million homes in the region.

Jenny’s election is timely, with business leaders facing the challenge to grow the local and UK economy, yet reduce carbon emissions and wider impacts on the environment.

“There is no one-size-fits-all answer to that,” explained Jenny. “The energy industry is helping to inform big decisions being taken now at local level.

"Our future energy needs must be met by a range of solutions, including electrification and zero-carbon gas like hydrogen. It’s not a choice between electric and gas – to be realistic and sustainable, the future will need both to get us to net-zero.”

Jenny added: “I’m looking forward to working with the CBI and my fellow councillors to achieve the best outcome for North West businesses and help this region thrive.

“This is a fantastic place to do business and always has been. We lead the way in many areas, and there is just so much opportunity here.

"I know the collective experience and expertise that’s clearly evident in the CBI’s regional council will help the North West realise its potential.”

Jenny brings considerable business experience to the regional council, having previously held senior roles across a range of industries, from food to highways.

As Director for Cadent’s North West network, Jenny is in charge of safe distribution of gas through 21,000 miles of underground mains to 2.7 million properties.

"If placed end to end, that amount of pipes would stretch from Manchester to Sydney, Australia, and come all the way back again.

Across the UK, the CBI speaks on behalf of 190,000 businesses of all sizes and sectors. Its corporate members together employ nearly seven million people, or about one-third of private sector employees.

With offices in the UK, and representation in Brussels, Washington, Beijing and Delhi, the CBI is a respected voice for British business around the globe.

What are CBI Regional Councils?

The CBI’s 12 Regional and National Councils, and 16 sector-based Standing Committees, are the forum for business leaders to play a leading role in influencing the policy landscape at a local and national level.

They are vital in ensuring the CBI maintains a strong mandate, with members having a direct say in what the organisation does and how it does it.

There are over 500 senior business leaders from 400 companies in the CBI’s Regional Council network.


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