Denton Williams is the new chief executive of the Regulatory Authority of Bermuda.

The appointment comes three months after Mr Williams resigned as chief operating officer at Ascendant Group, parent company of Belco. The controversial departure of Mr Williams and three other non-unionised executives from Belco last October prompted a work-to-rule by unionised workers that continued for more than two weeks.

The RAB is in the process of developing the Integrated Resource Plan for the future of electricity supply in Bermuda.

It is considering a plan put forward by Belco, as well as eight alternative proposals.

Angie Berry, chairwoman of the Commission of the RAB, said: “The commissioners are pleased to welcome Mr Williams as the first Bermudian to be appointed to the chief executive position at the regulatory authority.

She added: “Mr Williams not only has the qualifications and experience to lead the authority, but also possesses the acumen to ensure that the duties of the authority are fulfilled in the best interest of the residents of Bermuda.”

Mr Williams had served as the COO at Ascendant since 2012, and worked for the company for 29 years.

He resigned early in October, along with Zehena Davis, vice-president of human resources. Michael Daniel, Ascendant’s chief strategic development officer, and Carol Ross-DeSilva, vice-president, organisational excellence, were made redundant.

Their departures came a month after three Ascendant marketing staffers lost their jobs when their work was outsourced.

That move drew criticism from Walton Brown, the Minister of Home Affairs, and a demonstration that involved about 100 workers.

Later industrial action which came after the departure of the four executives finally ended after David Burt, the Premier, called a meeting with union officials and Ascendant on October 20.

The RAB described Mr Williams as a “seasoned professional” with “29 years of industry experience in electrical engineering and information technology — of which eight were at the senior executive level”.

It added: “His related accomplishments include his active participation in the consultation process that resulted in the publication of the island’s energy green and white papers.

“These publications formed the basis for electricity regulatory reform in Bermuda and the creation of the Regulatory Authority.”

The statement said that Mr Williams also had an “in-depth knowledge of both the carbon and non-carbon energy markets”.

It added that he was hired after a “rigorous recruitment process”.

• To view the Regulatory Authority of Bermuda announcement in full, click on the PDF link under “Related Media”