Meet the new guy: New head of gas operations for East region

Apr 6 2017 corporate

Chris Rison takes over as National Grid Gas Distribution’s Head of Operations in its East region
Predecessor James Harrison has left to head up National Grid Gas Distribution’s London Gas Network
The vast East region includes urban, rural and coastal locations

A new head of operations has taken over National Grid’s fast paced East region where he will work to ensure over four million customers keep on enjoying safe and reliable gas supplies.

This week Chris Rison, CEng. MSc. MIMechE*, took over the East network after predecessor James Harrison moved on to helm National Grid Gas Distribution’s London network.

Chris’ new job involves managing Emergency Response and Repair Operations which deals with reports of gas escapes across National Grid’s East region. The network includes East Anglia, and the East Midlands along with Northamptonshire, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire. A vast and varied patch the network supplies over four million customers in an area covering nearly fifteen thousand square miles which includes industrial towns and cities, seaside towns and national parks.

Chartered Engineer Chris was previously Network Manager, Emergency for London, where he covered National Grid’s Gas Distribution patch in the capital, serving a network of over two million customers and covering landmark locations such as Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament, Wembley and Canary Wharf.

Chris, 32, joined National Grid Gas Distribution as a Graduate Trainee back in 2009. He has held many roles in Gas Distribution and in London Operations where he has gained extensive operational and leadership experience.

He said: “I’m very happy to lead the team in East who deliver gas safely to such a huge part of the country. Gas is such an important thing in our lives, enabling us to enjoy warm houses and hot dinners. Gas matters and so our work matters.

“I’ve got a great team of engineers and support staff to work with and I’m excited to join East Network.”

Outside of work Chris enjoys days out with his young family, keeping active, the cinema and music.

This press release relates to Cadent work. It does not have Cadent branding on it, due to this press release being published prior to 1st May 2017, when this gas distribution business was part of National Grid’s group of businesses.

Cadent

Cadent is the UK’s largest gas distribution network with a 200-year legacy. We are in a unique position to build on strong foundations whilst encouraging the curiosity to think differently and the courage to embrace change. Day to day we continue to operate, maintain and innovate the UK’s largest gas network, transporting gas safely and protecting people in an emergency. Our skilled engineers and specialists remain committed to the communities we serve, working day and night to ensure gas reaches 11 million homes from Cumbria to North London and the Welsh Borders to East Anglia, to keep your energy flowing.

Future of Gas: Here at Cadent we support the Government’s plans to reach Net Zero by 2050. That means we’re backing the introduction of hydrogen as a low carbon alternative to natural gas for the future. We know people love the controllability of gas and, with our network already in place, it makes sense to switch to the lower carbon alternative offered by hydrogen, which we believe can keep homes and businesses warm for generations to come.

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