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  • article read time 4 mins
  • calender 30.09.2026

DCC Enters new era with appointment of Independent Board

We have appointed a new majority independent Board to oversee the next chapter of Great Britain's smart meter network, as the organisation transitions to a not-for-profit model designed to maximise value for consumers, customers and the wider energy system.

Today, Wednesday 30th September 2026, the Data Communications Company (DCC) has appointed a new majority independent Board to oversee the next chapter of Great Britain's smart meter network, as the organisation transitions to a not-for-profit model designed to maximise value for consumers, customers and the wider energy system.

As Great Britain's energy system becomes increasingly reliant on digital infrastructure and trusted data sources, DCC will play an important role in helping to deliver a cleaner, more flexible and resilient system. DCC operates the secure digital infrastructure connecting more than 38 million smart meters across Great Britain, enabling the exchange of billions of messages each month.

Collectively, the new Board brings together expertise and experience from some of Britain’s leading organisations across energy, technology, telecommunications, digital infrastructure, consumer advocacy and corporate governance, reflecting DCC’s role at the intersection of these sectors. It will work alongside the existing DCC Board and leadership team ahead of Business Transfer on 2 November 2026, ensuring continuity of services, leadership and oversight throughout the transition.

The transition sharpens the organisation’s focus on delivering long-term public value while maintaining the security, reliability and resilience that customers and consumers depend on.

Colin Sempill, Interim Chair of the new Board, said:

“DCC is a trusted operator of essential digital energy infrastructure and plays a unique role within Britain’s energy system. The role of the new Board is to be responsible custodians, ensuring DCC continues to operate securely and reliably while supporting the evolving needs of consumers, customers and the wider energy system. I look forward to working with government, regulators, customers and wider industry partners as we enter this next phase.”

 Chris Lovatt, Chief Executive Officer, said:

 “The smart meter network is now an essential national asset. Our responsibility is not only to operate it securely and reliably, but to maximise the value it delivers to consumers and to the future energy system. The move to a not-for-profit model ensures that public value sits firmly at the heart of everything we do. The new Board brings exceptional expertise, and I look forward to working alongside them to deliver this vision."

 Richard McCarthy CBE, outgoing Chair of the DCC Board, said:

“It has been a privilege to Chair the DCC Board during its first 13 years and to see this organisation grow into a trusted operator of digital energy infrastructure. The foundations are strong with over 3m meters now operating across our networks and I am confident the new Board will build on this as they lead DCC into its next phase of development.”

The appointment forms part of the planned transition to the new Smart Meter Communication Licence. Existing governance arrangements remain in place until Business Transfer on 2 November 2026, after which responsibility for the authorised business will transfer to the new Board. A structured programme of knowledge transfer and handover is underway to ensure continuity of leadership, accountability and oversight throughout the transition period. 

Additional quotes from Independent and Non-Executive Directors

Dame Gillian Guy, Independent Director, said:

“Consumers ultimately depend on the secure and reliable operation of the smart meter network every day. I look forward to helping ensure the benefits of this national infrastructure continue to be realised for households across Great Britain.”

Angela Love, Non-Executive Director, said:

“This transition represents a significant milestone for DCC and the wider smart energy sector. The new Board brings together a breadth of expertise that will help ensure DCC continues to deliver trusted services while supporting the evolving needs of consumers, customers and industry.”

Professor David Flynn, Independent Director, said:

“As energy systems become increasingly digital, the role of trusted communications infrastructure becomes ever more important. DCC is well positioned to enable innovation and provide invaluable expertise to the broader sector while maintaining the highest standards of service and security.”

The Board will be formed by:

  • Colin Sempill, Chair and Non-Executive Director. Former CEO of Neos Networks and Managing Director of SSE Enterprise Telecoms, with more than 30 years' experience across energy, telecommunications and digital infrastructure.

  • Angela Love, Non-Executive Director. Chair of the Smart Energy Code Panel and SECCo Board, with more than 30 years' experience in the energy sector.

  • Catherine Colloms, Independent Director. Former Managing Director of Corporate Affairs and Brand at Openreach and a current Non-Executive Director of Gigaclear.

  • Sarah Eccleston, Independent Director. Former Global Vice President at Cisco with extensive experience in networking, software and digital infrastructure.

  • Dame Gillian Guy, Independent Director. Former Chief Executive of Citizens Advice and DCC's Consumer Advocacy Director.

  • Jonathan Lydiard-Wilson, Independent Director. Former Partner at Accenture with expertise in energy data, smart metering, sustainability and digital transformation.

  • Professor David Flynn, Independent Director. Internationally recognised expert in digital infrastructure, energy systems and critical national infrastructure.

  • George Pitt, Independent Director and Chief Financial Officer of Low Carbon Contracts Company, with extensive experience in energy markets and financial leadership.

  • Ros Singleton, Non-Executive Director. Technology leader and Director of Technology and Business Architecture at SECCo, with experience across fixed and mobile communications.

  • Chris Lovatt, Chief Executive Officer, and Gavin Robertson, Chief Financial Officer, both from DCC, will serve as Executive Directors on the Board.

ENDS

 

NOTES TO EDITOR

DCC2 Ltd was awarded the next Smart Meter Communication Licence following a competitive tender process and will assume responsibility for the authorised business on 2 November 2026.

DCC2 Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of Smart Energy Code Company (SECCo) Ltd and will operate under a not-for-profit, public interest model.

DCC operates the national smart meter communications network, connecting more than 38 million smart meters and securely enabling the exchange of billions of messages every month.

The smart meter network enables energy suppliers to provide accurate billing, smart prepayment services and innovative tariffs, empowering consumers to manage their energy use more effectively and unlock the benefits of clean power. The data from smart meters is helping Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) to more actively plan and manage their networks, as well as respond to outages more quickly.

DCC also operates the Central Switching Service, which enables consumers to switch energy supplier quickly and reliably. Since launch in 2022, the service has completed more than 54 million successful switches with a 100% success rate this year.