Carlisle-headquartered Stobart Energy has appointed a new chief executive.

Part of Stobart Group, the biomass fuel supplier has also made a number of board changes.

Richard Jenkins will join the firm on June 1 as chief executive, replacing Ben Whawell.

Mr Jenkins has spent the last three years managing the Greater Manchester Waste contract, one of the largest in the UK.

He is joined by a new finance director, Gareth Aylward, who has worked in a number of senior finance roles in its Irish, China and UK businesses.

Most recently Gareth was finance director of FJ Need (Foods) Ltd, part of Ornua’s European operations and has mergers and acquisitions experience to support the businesses’ growth aspirations.

Alan Whitrow, who joined the business in June 2016, will formally be appointed to the Stobart Energy board as operations director, while Gareth Vaughan continues in the role of supply chain director.

Neil Spencer will also be appointed to the executive board as commercial director.

Gareth, Alan and Neil will work together on a daily basis to drive performance across Stobart Energy, from initial waste sourcing and management to fuel sales into customer’s power plants, the firm said.

Mr Whawell, outgoing chief executive of Stobart Energy, said: “It has been a pleasure to be involved in the significant success of Stobart Group since 2004 and to have had the opportunity to run the energy division for the last four years.

"I am very proud of what we have achieved.

“The next phase of growth is extremely exciting and a real opportunity for Richard and his new team to develop and fulfil their ambitions.

"I wish him and everyone else at Stobart Energy all the very best for the future.”