An energy sector executive who is responsible for one of the largest electric transmission networks in the northeast of the US has joined the board of Ascendant Group Limited, the parent company of Belco.

Rudolph Wynter is one of two new appointments to the board, the other is Anne Cleary who has experience of mergers and acquisitions, and led all aspects of the integration of NRG and GenOn Energy to create one of the largest power generation and retail electricity companies in the US, serving more than two million customers.

They have joined the board following the retirement of David Dodwell and Edward Williams. In a statement, Ascendant thanked Mr Dodwell and Mr Williams for their insight and support during their time on the board.

Mrs Cleary is a senior executive with more than 30 years of management and technical experience. She has developed and commercialised large capital power projects and served as the business unit president for over 6,000MW of fossil generation.

Her experience spans business unit P&L, M&A, business development, engineering, capital expenditure analysis, business strategy development and execution, risk management, regulatory, federal and state legislative affairs, line and engineering operations, environmental compliance and human resources.

She is currently an electric industry consultant, advising on the technical integration, commercialisation and regulation of energy storage and renewables. She serves as both a senior advisor in the Taffrail Group, an international strategic-advisory firm, and as a principal at Modern Grid Solutions, an international consulting firm, focusing on smart grid and distributed energy resource deployment.

Mr Wynter directs National Grid’s energy procurement activities and the development of National Grid’s regulated energy storage assets and opportunities. He oversees National Grid’s 4,000MW generation fleet on Long Island, New York, and its liquefied natural gas storage facility in Providence, Rhode Island. Previously he was senior vice-president of US Shared Services, and during his 30 year career in the energy industry, has held positions of responsibility in customer operations, strategic planning, engineering and operations.