Energy operator and developer SIMEC Uskmouth Power has appointed Paul Llewellyn as head of finance, as it steps up its UK expansion programme.

The move reflects the robust strategy by the global SIMEC Group to grow its British energy assets, including the establishment of an international centre of excellence for renewable and other emerging energy technologies at Newport.

Cardiff-born Mr Llewellyn, 45, who is a fellow of the Association of Chartered and Certified Accountants, has nearly 30 years’ experience in financial roles, most of them at senior level in the energy sector.

He comes to SIMEC from energy operator and developer, RWE Innogy UK, where, as finance manager, he was responsible for the accounting team on the £2bn Gwynt Y Mor wind farm project off the North Wales coast.

Prior to that Mr Llewellyn held key financial positions with Dong Energy, Severn Power, Carron Energy, Uskmouth Power, Hyder and Swalec. He also served as business support manager for the University of South Wales.

SIMEC chief executive, Jay Hambro, said: "Paul brings a wealth of valuable experience to us at this exciting time in our development, when we have many ambitious and innovative projects in the pipeline.

"His impressive work with many respected energy businesses, during times of change and growth, has given him skills and insights that will be an asset to our management team at Uskmouth," he said.

Mr Hambro said the creation of the new role of 'head of finance' at SIMEC Uskmouth Power underlined the business' emergence as a pivotal enterprise within the wider SIMEC Group.