About
Gridworks Development Partners LLP (Gridworks) is a development and investment platform dedicated to Africa’s electricity networks. Established in 2019, it is a pioneer in transmission, distribution and distributed renewable energy, sectors that have historically suffered from chronic underinvestment.
While significant investment has flowed into power generation, the networks needed to transmit and distribute that power remain a major bottleneck. Hundreds of billions of dollars in investments are needed for African countries to absorb current and planned generation. Wholly owned and funded by British International Investment (BII), Gridworks develops and invests in critical power infrastructure across the continent, with a portfolio spanning projects in development, construction and operations.
The challenge
As its portfolio grew, Gridworks was moving beyond project development into the construction and long-term operation of its assets. The business needed to bring new technical and construction expertise into the organisation.
Gridworks engaged Millar Cameron to find a Head of Engineering and Construction to replace an experienced executive approaching retirement. The brief called for proven experience building transmission infrastructure in Africa, where the pool of professionals with direct experience is particularly limited.
The successful candidate also needed to bring international best practice in procurement, EPC contracting, health and safety, and design and engineering, and to support Gridworks as it took on the construction and operation of transmission assets.
Our approach
We began with structured research to identify the businesses actively developing and constructing transmission infrastructure in Africa, and the individuals leading that work. Given the limited pool, we expanded the search to other emerging markets, ~including Latin America and Asia, where comparable projects and technical expertise could be found.
Alongside this research, we drew on our relationships across the power and infrastructure sectors to identify and engage people who matched the brief. Combining research with relationship-led sourcing let us look beyond the most obvious geographies while staying focused on the specific experience Gridworks required.
Supporting both the client and the candidates through the process was also key to our approach. In the words of the chosen individual:
I particularly appreciated your availability, the quality of your guidance before each step, and
the honest feedback provided throughout the process. The preparation and communication were excellent, and I always felt well supported without being over-managed.
The outcome
We identified a Kenya-based candidate who had led the construction of a transmission line in Mozambique, with further experience developing power infrastructure across Asia and North America. The appointment gives Gridworks a leader who combines African market knowledge, hands-on transmission delivery and international technical standards, well placed to guide the business as it moves from developing projects to building and operating them.
The appointment also demonstrated Millar Cameron’s ability to access a specialised international talent pool and identify a combination of African market knowledge, transmission experience and international technical expertise that is hard to find.
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