ScottishPower insiders in frame as Horler quits after 2 years in top job

THE search for a new head of ScottishPower began in earnest yesterday following the sudden departure of Nick Horler, who had been in the post only two years.

Speculation immediately centred on possible internal candidates for the chief executive role and a company spokesman confirmed that insiders at the Spanish-owned firm were being considered.

Keith Anderson is currently head of ScottishPower Renewables and head of Iberdrola's international offshore wind farm development business. Renewables is increasingly important to parent Iberdrola's UK business and recently the firm announced it would invest 3 billion in its renewables operations in Scotland. Other possible candidates include John Campbell, the head of ScottishPower's wholesale business who joined the board last year. Another is Samantha Barber, who was the first non-Spaniard to join Iberdrola's main board in 2008.

ScottishPower announced on Tuesday evening Horler had resigned after a board meeting.