Taking gas forward
firmus energy has ambitious growth plans for Northern Ireland under its new owners.
The addition of firmus energy to the natural gas market in Northern Ireland a decade ago has been instrumental in making natural gas available to thousands more homes and businesses across the province. Antrim-based firmus energy has grown steadily and now has around 75,000 residential and commercial customers across Northern Ireland; 25,000 of which are in towns and cities new to natural gas. The progressive company has laid 900km of new gas pipelines and has invested more than £90 million to date.
firmus energy was bought by iCON Infrastructure in July 2014, an independent investment group focusing on acquiring and operating infrastructure assets in Europe and North America. Since its establishment in 2004, iCON’s team has been responsible for the deployment of over €2.5 billion of capital into infrastructure enterprises with a total capitalisation of €10 billion.
iCON has a wealth of experience in owning and managing infrastructure businesses, including energy, railways, oil storage and transportation and ports.
Paul Malan, Senior Partner of iCON Infrastructure, said: “Over the last ten years, the team at firmus energy has built a dynamic and reliable gas utility business that emphasises efficiency and quality of service to its customers and provides exciting career opportunities for its employees. We are delighted to be able to support the continued growth of the business and the energy industry in Northern Ireland.”
Michael Scott, Managing Director of firmus energy, explained: “Right from the outset, iCON made a commitment which provided job stability for our employees and suppliers. There is a continued focus on investing in the growth of both the natural gas network in Northern Ireland and the firmus energy business in general.”
firmus is now managed by a statutory board made up of highly experienced personnel. Deryk King, who is Chairman of firmus energy, has over 20 years of CEO and board level experience. He is joined on the board by Paul Malan, the Senior Partner of iCON, who has an extensive track record of successful execution and management of infrastructure investments. The remainder of the board includes Peter Moore and Martin Parkes from iCON, who have a combined experience of over 30 years in the utilities and infrastructure sector.
From firmus energy, Managing Director Michael Scott has 20 years’ experience in the natural gas industry and is joined by Finance Director, Greg Bell. The board is completed by non-executive members Michael O’Sullivan, who has spent more than 30 years with Bord Gáis Éireann, and Angela Reavey, who has more than 20 years’ experience working at senior executive level in both the public and private sectors.
Each year, the company has connected over 4,000 new commercial and domestic customers as the firmus network has continued to grow, bringing natural gas to many towns for the first time. firmus energy intends to continue growing at this rate in the future.
Michael concluded: “As we celebrate our 10th anniversary this year, we remain committed to continuing investment in the Northern Ireland economy. This will allow us to expand the natural gas network into new areas, and create employment opportunities for hundreds of local contractors, installers and support agencies.”
firmus energy
A4-A5 Fergusons Way
Kilbegs Road, Antrim, BT41 4LZ
Tel: 0800 032 4567
Email: furtherinfo@firmusenergy.co.uk
Web: www.firmusenergy.co.uk
