Salvesen brightens up Helius board

Alastair Salvesen yesterday joined the board of Aim-quoted Helius Energy, the firm building a power plant in Moray that will run off waste products from the whisky industry.

Salvesen, scion of the historic Christian Salvesen whaling and logistics group and one of Scotland’s richest men, owns a 22.4 per cent stake in the company.

He was made a non-executive director as part of a series of board appointments.

Former civil servant William Rickett was also made a non-executive director with immediate effect, while William Ingram Hill became chief operating officer.

Helius chairman John Seed said: “Willy’s extensive experience in energy and Alastair’s proven business acumen will be of great assistance to the team and the appointment of a senior non-executive director will strengthen Helius’ corporate governance position. Together with William’s appointment, this will enhance our ability to deliver our portfolio of projects.”

Helius’s £60 million plant at Rothes on Speyside will use waste from more than a dozen distilleries to produce enough power for up to 9,000 homes.

Solid residue, or “draff”, from local distilleries will be taken to the site and burned along with wood to provide up to 7.2 megawatts of electricity, which will be used to power local homes and to run an animal feed factory.

The scheme is backed by Lloyds Banking Group, Royal Bank of Scotland and Dutch lender Rabobank.

Salvesen already has a strong connection to the energy industry through his family’s major stake in Glasgow-based temporary power generator Aggreko.

A business graduate then chartered accountant by training, he has been a senior figure in the UK fish industry for 30 years, having been managing director and now chairman of Dawnfresh Seafoods.