Iain Cameron Conn held the position of chief executive officer at Centrica from 1 January 2015 until March 2020. During his five-year tenure, he navigated the company through a significant portfolio repositioning while addressing market shifts and the introduction of retail energy price caps in the United Kingdom.
Early Development and Education
Born in Musselburgh in 1962 and raised in Galashiels, Conn is the elder of two sons. His formative academic training took place at Loretto School before he moved to Imperial College London. He completed his graduation in 1985, specialising in chemical engineering and management. This technical and analytical background provided the foundation for his subsequent decades in the energy and industrial sectors.
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Conn spent 29 years at BP, accumulating extensive experience in oil trading, marketing, refining, and petrochemicals. From 2002 to 2004, he served as the chief executive of the petrochemical division. He joined the main board of directors in 2004, a position he held for a decade. Between 2007 and 2014, he acted as chief executive downstream, overseeing operations across more than 70 countries. In this capacity, he managed manufacturing and supply chains while holding regional responsibility for Europe, Asia, and Southern Africa. Earlier, from 2004 to 2007, he operated as the group executive officer for strategic resources, focusing on regional co-ordination and corporate functions.
Corporate Governance and Leadership
Outside of his primary executive roles, Conn maintained a presence on several boards. He served as a director of Rolls-Royce Holdings from 2005 to 2014, eventually becoming the senior independent director. He also performed duties as a non-executive director and senior independent director for BT. His academic and policy advisory roles included service on the Council of Imperial College from 2010 to 2019 and chairmanship of the Imperial College Business School advisory board from 2004 to 2020.
Energy Transition and Current Appointments
Following his departure from Centrica, Conn focused his career portfolio on engineering, technology, and the energy transition. He currently serves as a Senior Advisor to Blackstone and Chairman of EngineeringUK. He remains associated with various professional bodies, holding fellowships from the Royal Academy of Engineering, the Royal Society of Edinburgh, the Institution of Chemical Engineers, and the City and Guilds of London Institute. His commitment to public service includes his current membership on the STOP Multiple Sclerosis Appeal Board and his past role as a trustee of the Movement to Work.
Fast facts
- Born: 1962, Musselburgh
- Education: Imperial College London, Loretto School
- Centrica CEO: 2015-2020
- BP Tenure: 29 years
- Fellow: Royal Academy of Engineering
- Current Role: Senior Advisor to Blackstone
- Current Role: Chairman of EngineeringUK
Questions readers ask
What was Conn's primary objective at Centrica?
He led a repositioning of the company toward the customer and prepared the portfolio for the energy transition while managing costs.
Did Conn support the UK retail energy price cap?
No, he opposed the introduction of the price cap due to its perceived negative impact on market competition.
Achievements
- Educated at Imperial College London and Loretto School
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