SSE Thermal Executive Committee

Finlay McCutcheon has been Managing Director of SSE Thermal since May 2024 and is responsible for driving the strategy, performance and development of the company’s flexible power generation and energy storage activities in the UK and Ireland, including the delivery of SSE’s new low-carbon hydrogen and carbon capture projects.

He was previously Director of Onshore Renewables – Europe for SSE Renewables where he held responsibility for all of the company’s Onshore Wind, Hydro, Pumped Storage, and Solar and Battery investments across Europe. Prior to that, he held several other senior roles within SSE, including as Managing Director of SSE’s Energy Portfolio Management division (now Energy Markets) and as Director of SSE Business Energy.

After graduating from the University of Edinburgh, Finlay worked as a Corporate & Commercial lawyer, before joining SSE in 2010.

Martin Beattie is SSE Thermal’s Finance Director. Martin joined SSE in 2008 and has worked in a variety of finance roles across the company’s energy generation, trading and supply business units. He is a qualified Chartered Accountant having trained with KPMG.

Mark Hayward is Director of Operations and Maintenance at SSE Thermal, responsible for the company’s operational portfolio, including delivery of business strategy and ensuring compliance with all safety, health, and environmental standards. Mark has extensive experience in the energy industry and has held a number of leadership roles, including Station Manager at Fiddler’s Ferry and Ferrybridge ‘C’ Power Stations. He is a Chartered Engineer and a Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.

Marc Rudd is Director of Engineering and Asset Management at SSE Thermal. He was previously Station Manager at Fiddler’s Ferry Power Station, having working at the station in several management positions since 2000. Marc has over thirty years’ experience in maintenance, project, and asset management and is a Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. He holds a BEng in Mechanical Engineering and an MSc in Engineering Project Management.

Charlie Cryans is Director of Construction at SSE Thermal. He is responsible for ensuring all projects are consistently governed, executed, and delivered safely and on time. Charlie has over 40 years’ experience in the energy industry in areas including upstream oil and gas, power generation, energy-from-waste, carbon capture, and biomass. He is a qualified thermal, acoustics and cryogenic engineer. Prior to joining SSE, Charlie gained extensive experience working with companies including BP, Shell, Jacobs Engineering, G & H Montage, ABB, Rolls Royce, Andritz, DSL, and Interserve.

Mandy Mackay is Director of Commercial and Markets for SSE Thermal, leading on the optimisation and risk management of the business’ flexible generation and gas storage portfolio. Mandy has around three decades of experience in the energy industry, beginning her career with the UK Atomic Energy Authority before moving to Scottish Hydro Electric in 1997, which a year later merged with Southern Electric to form SSE. Mandy has held a variety of positions at SSE, including working in energy trading and business development, as well as playing a key role in major transactions. Before taking on her current role, Mandy was Director of Risk and Assurance within SSE’s Energy Markets business.

Helen is Head of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability for SSE Thermal, responsible for policy, advocacy, communications, stakeholder management and sustainability strategy. Helen has previously led policy and stakeholder engagement activity for SSE’s generation and GB retail businesses. This has included work on SSE’s flagship renewables projects and leading engagement for SSE’s first-of-a-kind low-carbon thermal technologies, including hydrogen production, storage and power generation. Before joining SSE, Helen worked at E.ON and in local government.

Zahida Zakir is SSE Thermal’s HR Business Partner, responsible for all people-related matters for employees. Zahida was previously HR Business Partner for the SSE Networks business. Prior to joining SSE, she gained experience working for Courtaulds, Reckitt Benckiser, Scottish and Newcastle, Scottish Power, and Peugeot Motors. Zahida is a Chartered Fellow of the CIPD and holds an MA in HR Management from the Warwick Business School.