| Media release
Jörg Spicker, Head of Market and member of the Executive Board, has decided to stand down from the Executive Board of Swissgrid with effect from the end of May 2017 for family reasons. He will take on new responsibilities as Senior Strategic Advisor and will continue to report directly to CEO Yves Zumwald. Until the nomination of his successor, the Market business unit will be managed by Yves Zumwald on an interim basis from 1 June 2017.
Following a long career in the energy industry, Jörg Spicker has decided to take on a bit less and spend more time with his family. He will stand down from the Executive Board of Swissgrid with effect from the end of May 2017 and will take care of strategic issues in connection with challenges relating to European grid network operations as Senior Strategic Advisor. He will also take on representative duties for Swissgrid in Switzerland and abroad. He will continue to report directly to CEO Yves Zumwald.
Jörg Spicker has been Head of Market at Swissgrid since October 2013 and has played a decisive role in establishing and developing the organisation. Among other things, the technical requirements for market coupling were fulfilled and a new balance group contract model was introduced under his leadership at Swissgrid. Moreover, the company was able to reduce costs for ancillary services substantially thanks to an increase in competition in the control power market. In addition the company was able to carry out important clarifications with respect to the understanding of roles in the industry following the tense energy and grid situation in the winter of 2015/2016.
«I would like to express my sincere thanks to Jörg for his commitment and outstanding work over the last few years and am delighted that he will continue to make use of his profound expertise and his large network of contacts in Switzerland and Europe in the interests of Swissgrid,» says Yves Zumwald, CEO of Swissgrid. Until a new Head of Market is appointed, Yves Zumwald will manage the unit on an interim basis from 1 June 2017.