Grids to minerals: Key energy leadership moves from April

The last two weeks have seen a number of announcements for executive appointments, including a grid company in the Bahamas, DTEK in Ukraine and a critical minerals company supplying nuclear utilities in the US. 

In the Bahamas, a shift to fully domestic leadership marks a significant milestone for the country’s grid operator, while in Ukraine, advisory influence is being strengthened at a time of heightened focus on energy security and European integration. 

Meanwhile, in the US, a leadership transition at a critical materials company reflects both continuity and a focus on growth, particularly in uranium and rare earth development. 

Across the announcements, companies are aligning leadership changes with their strategic priorities, including expansion, energy security and system performance.

Bahamas Grid Company’s Dareo KcKenzie

Bahamas Grid Company (BGC) this week announced the appointment of Dareo McKenzie as Chief Executive Officer and Gladys Fernander as Chief Financial Officer, marking the company's transition to a fully independent, all-Bahamian-led operating model.

According to the company in a release, the leadership transition follows the conclusion of Island Grid Solutions' (IGS) management role on 20 April 2026, and the stepping down of Eric Pike and Mei Shibata from their positions at BGC.

McKenzie brings more than 30 years of leadership experience across the energy and infrastructure sectors, including senior operational roles at GE Vernova and Consolidated Edison of New York. 

He has led large-scale grid modernisation and construction programmes, managed billion dollar capital portfolios, and delivered complex energy projects focused on reliability, resilience, and operational performance. 

Fernander is a Certified Public Accountant with more than two decades of executive financial leadership in regulated environments. As former Chief Financial Officer of Commonwealth Bank, she oversaw enterprise-wide financial strategy, capital planning, treasury, and regulatory compliance, and brings deep expertise in governance, financial discipline, and institutional accountability. 

Commenting in a release was Anthony Ferguson, Chairman of BGC: "On behalf of the Board, I want to thank Eric, Mei, and the entire IGS team for their leadership and expertise in building BGC into a fully operational utility and strengthening New Providence's transmission and distribution system.

"We now move forward as a fully Bahamian-led organisation, focused on delivering long-term performance for our country, our children, and our grandchildren."

Over the past two years, BGC has made meaningful progress in strengthening New Providence's electricity network, improving reliability by almost 50% and updating its critical infrastructure through a $130 million grid upgrade project. 

With the transition to full independence, the company says it will now be focused on the disciplined management of the system to ensure its long-term system performance.

More energy sector leadership changes to keep an eye on:
OMV, Veolia and Egis announce new leadership roles
Ofgem, Terna Energy, Verlume and Eneco: Changes at the top across four European energy firms
Kaluza, TenneT, Topsoe and ACWA: Four leadership changes to watch in Europe's energy sector

DTEK’s Geoffrey Pyatt - former US Ambassador to Ukraine 

A week prior to the announcement from BGC, DTEK announced the appointment of Geoffrey Pyatt, former US Ambassador to Ukraine, as the new Chairman of its Advisory Council. 

The appointment, says the Ukrainian energy company in a release, will enhance the Council's mission as a forum for independent, high-level guidance to the Group on issues including energy security and resilience, long-term recovery and sustainability.

The DTEK Advisory Council brings together policymakers, experts, diplomats and civil society leaders for regular discussions on the strategic direction of the Group. Its work focuses principally on supporting Ukraine’s integration into Europe’s energy market, strengthening international energy connections and enhancing Europe’s overall energy security.

In his new role, Ambassador Pyatt will lead the Advisory Council’s work and externally he will advocate further for the major contribution Ukraine can make to Europe’s energy security and advise DTEK on ways it can accelerate the integration of Ukraine’s and the EU's energy systems.

Ambassador Pyatt brings over 35 years of expertise in diplomacy and energy policy. 

As the Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources from 2022 to 2025, he led US diplomacy to bolster Ukraine's energy resilience and counter Russia’s weaponisation of energy resources. Pyatt was instrumental in securing energy security partnerships and critical mineral agreements with allies, adds DTEK.

From 2013 to 2016, he served as the US Ambassador to Ukraine, working as America’s top diplomat in the country during the Revolution of Dignity (Maidan Revolution) and the subsequent Russian invasion in 2014. From 2016 to 2022, he served as US Ambassador to Greece.

Commenting on his appointment, Pyatt said, “The Advisory Council brings together exceptional global expertise at a pivotal moment for Ukraine and Europe’s energy future. 

“I am committed to ensuring the Council’s work delivers practical, high-impact insights that strengthen Ukraine’s energy resilience, advance its integration with Europe, and deepen cooperation between Ukraine, the US, and our international partners.”

Energy Fuels’ Ross Bhappu

Over in the US, and a day after DTEK’s announcement, Energy Fuels Inc. a US producer of uranium, rare earths, and critical materials, announced that Ross R. Bhappu has been appointed the company's CEO. 

Energy Fuels is a leading US critical materials company specialising in uranium, rare earth elements, heavy mineral sands, vanadium, and the development of medical isotopes. The company has several uranium projects in the western US, supplying nuclear utilities. 

Bhappu has served as President of Energy Fuels since August 2025 and brings more than three decades of leadership across mining, critical minerals, finance, and international resource development. He has held senior executive and board roles in the global mining sector, with extensive experience in project development, operations, government engagement, and capital markets. 

Bhappu succeeds Mark S. Chalmers, who is retiring after more than eight years as CEO and a distinguished career spanning five decades in the uranium and critical materials industry. Following his retirement, Chalmers has agreed to serve as an exclusive uranium and rare earth consultant to the company for a two-year period, providing continuity and strategic support as Energy Fuels advances its growth initiatives.

Said Bhappu in a release: "I am honoured to be appointed Chief Executive Officer of Energy Fuels and deeply appreciative of Mark's leadership and vision. Bhappu said that Chalmers’ work laid the groundwork for Energy Fuels' to become a diversified critical materials company.

He added that he takes on the new role as the company pursues a growth initiative, “including the permitting and construction of a number of new mines, the planned expansion of the White Mesa Mill and the addition of rare earth element metal and alloy making through the planned acquisition of Australian Strategic Materials Limited.  

“Energy Fuels has a talented team and Board of Directors, and I look forward to executing our strategic plan together."

Said Chalmers: "Serving as CEO and guiding Energy Fuels' development into the leading US critical materials company has been an honour, particularly considering my humble beginnings as a uranium miner in Colorado in the 1970s. I am confident that Ross will continue to inspire and lead our company to even greater heights."