Top engineer to retire – Industry veteran predicts a bright future
Posted by: electime 25th November 2024
Serving the electricity industry for 110 years! From left, Barry’s great uncle Jack, was a linesman, Barry’s father Joe was a tower linesman and foreman with the CEGB and Barry joined Seeboard as a trainee engineer in 1981.
A prominent British power engineer is set to retire after a distinguished career in the electricity industry that has kept power flowing to millions of customers.
Barry Hatton will retire as UK Power Networks’ asset management director in March after 43 years bringing safe, reliable electricity supplies to 8.5 million homes and businesses.
His achievements have included steering multi-billion-pound network investment plans to upgrade the distribution network, connecting Shoreham Power Station, delivering projects that supported the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games power infrastructure, diversionary works for the Channel Tunnel Rail Link and leading network recoveries from major storms and flooding having been involved in the response to the 1987 hurricane.
His retirement marks the end of an era that has spanned a century for his family in the power distribution industry, inspired by his father’s work as a tower line engineer.
The 66-year-old said: “The electricity industry plays such a key role in people’s lives. It has been great to be part of this invisible service that helps to keep the country going.
“I have had the great privilege to work with great teams and great people over the years. You never stop learning in this industry, even at my age. Of late I have been signing off projects replacing assets that I was involved in installing and commissioning, and replacing assets younger than me.
“I retire at a time when the industry is booming, a far cry from when I joined. The future is incredibly exciting with new technologies being developed to meet the new challenges of rapid network and demand growth in the dash to decarbonise. This is a fantastic time for those in the industry and those joining. I will watch on with interest to see the company, and its great people, excel in its response to these challenges.
“It’s a great industry to be in and I think the future is so dazzling in terms of what there is to be done. In some respects, why would I be leaving, given the challenges that are coming up, but it’s time for others to take it forward.”
Basil Scarsella, chief executive of UK Power Networks, said Barry had been an ‘invaluable member’ of his management team. He said: “I’ve always described Barry as the best distribution engineer in the world, and I’ve yet to find any other distribution engineer that can challenge him.
“Barry has been instrumental in shaping the success we have delivered over the last 14 years at UK Power Networks. He is a great colleague, a fount of knowledge, exceptional engineer and loyal and supportive team player. We will miss him and I wish Barry and his family all the best for a long and happy retirement.”
His department manages a vast network of transformers, switchgear, cables and other equipment which maintain resilient power supplies for Britain’s largest Distribution Network Operator (DNO). The team plan asset investment, replacement and capacity, establish engineering standards and develop smarter grids to meet evolving customer needs.
A highly respected figure throughout the industry, Barry has contributed extensively to the industry. He was an inaugural member of the executive committee of the IET Power Academy Advisory Board, has been chair of advisory boards for the Energy Innovation Centre and Power Networks Demonstration Centre, an early board member of the Energy Networks Association, and member of the Independent Stakeholder Groups for both National Grid Transmission and the Energy System Operator.
Barry thanked his wife Tracey for her immense support over the years and shared his pride for his son, daughter and two grandchildren.
