Canadian energy company Northland Power has appointed Wendy Franks as executive vice president of strategy and investment management, effective from 29 June.
Franks will be based in the company’s Toronto office and will be responsible for leading Northland’s strategy and investment management functions.
These include the development of key strategic programmes intended to generate new areas of growth for the company, Northland said.
She will also be responsible for the management of Northland’s asset portfolio with a focus on enhancing economic contributions and returns from existing projects to create value for shareholders.
Franks brings more than 15 years of leadership in business strategy and investment management, as well as making strategic investments in transformative growth opportunities across multiple technologies and jurisdictions within the renewable energy and infrastructure asset sectors.
She was previously senior principal, relationship investments in the active equities department of the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB).
At CPPIB Franks led the group’s industry coverage of the financials and utilities, renewables and clean technology sectors in North America.
Prior to CPPIB, she was an associate principal at McKinsey & Co, where she served as a senior member of the risk practice and the corporate and investment banking practice.
Northland president and chief executive Mike Crawley said: “I am very excited to welcome Wendy to the Northland team.
“Wendy brings an extensive track record of developing investment theses and executing on strategic investment opportunities in renewable infrastructure.
“Her experience in sourcing and investing in renewable assets will be key to our strategy as Northland looks to capitalise on the next wave of global decarbonisation that is unfolding.”