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| From politics to business - Melanie Onn relishing the challenge |
Starting on March 9, Ms Onn will become deputy chief executive of RenewableUK - a consortium of some 400 businesses involved with generating energy from renewable sources such as wind and solar.
She will be giving presentations to audiences - large and small - of various types.
Another important aspect to her brief is to open up the sector so that more opportunities are created for women.
Ms Onn, who is married with a young son, was elected twice as Labour MP for Great Grimsby, serving from May 2015 to November 2019.
Although mostly confined to the back benches, she had brief spells as Shadow Minister for Housing, Communities and Local Government and Shadow Deputy Leader of the House of Commons.
However, she lost her seat to the Conservative candidate, Lia Nici, at the General Election of last December.
In her new role it is thought unlikely that she will retain any involvement in party politics.
This might weaken her position were she to seek to regain her parliamentary seat at the next election five years' hence.
RenewableUK’s chief executive, Hugh McNeal, is very pleased with the appointment.
“I’m absolutely delighted that a talented and passionate public servant of Melanie’s calibre has chosen this role as her next step after serving as an MP, "he says.
"She has already bee a powerful advocate for renewable energy and has been instrumental in the transformation of Grimsby, now a global hub for offshore wind."
Meanwhile, Ms Onn could scarcely be more upbeat about the new direction her career has taken and the challenges ahead.
“This is an incredibly exciting time to be joining this innovative sector," she enthuses.
"The public is demanding decisive action on climate change.
"What is more, the eyes of the world will be on the UK as we prepare to host the crucial climate change summit in Glasgow later this year.
"RenewableUK’s members are driving the changes the country needs if it is to reach net zero emissions as fast as possible.
“The transition to a net zero economy is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the UK to create new industries and jobs."
She continues: "I only need to look at my hometown, Grimsby, where investment in offshore wind is playing a major role in starting to revitalise the local economy.
"In my new role, I am determined to champion the wide range of clean technologies necessary to accelerate the country's successful transition to net zero”.
Details of Ms Onn's salary have not been released, but her initial appointment is on a 12-month contract.
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