Andy Koss admits that when he moved up from London to Yorkshire in 2000 he didn’t have a job to go to.

The 44-year-old chief executive of Drax Power, appointed earlier this year to lead the generation business running Drax Power Station within the Drax Group, has come a long way from those days of uncertainty.

A maths graduate and chartered accountant, he had left a career in investment banking. “Friends asked ‘why are you going north?’ and didn’t think it would last long,” he recalls.

Andy Koss joined Bradford-based financial services group Provident Financial, becoming deputy group treasurer before accepting a role at Drax in 2005.

As group treasurer he led the team completing refinancing work as part of Drax’s Stock Exchange listing in December that year. Since then he held a number of senior posts in the finance department until taking over as director of strategy, responsible for regulatory issues, environmental strategy and business development prior to his appointment as CEO.

Drax Power Station is on the verge of completing a major transformation to renewable power generation with biomass replacing coal. Already it’s the biggest renewable electricity generator in the UK, producing enough power for nearly three million homes. By 2016 half its output will be renewable electricity.

The power station has saved 20 million tonnes of carbon dioxide since switching to biomass, and with three of its six generating units fully converted it will save 12 million tonnes of carbon every year.

Andy Koss is clear about the challenge and opportunities: "We continue to talk with government about the benefits of converting a fourth unit at the power station,” he said.

"The output on converted units is matching that for coal which is really significant because it means we are maintaining the reliability and security of electricity supply Drax has always been recognised for,” he added.

"I am tremendously proud of what the engineers here have achieved. We stand ready to keep the lights on with low carbon, affordable power.”

What job would you like to have other than your own and why?

"I would probably be a maths teacher, having enjoyed doing some tutoring when I was at university. Helping children to understand and solve problems is always rewarding."

Greatest achievement?

"Working on Drax’s listing in 2005 whilst simultaneously getting the house ready for our first child."

Biggest mistake?

"Allowing my dad to persuade me to support Tottenham. A lifetime of disappointment since!"

"What makes you most angry?

"People who avoid taking personal responsibility. Craig Joubert sprinting off the rugby field after a terrible refereeing decision springs to mind."

"What do you need to make life complete?

"More time to spend with my family and another opportunity to travel the world."

Why do you make a difference?

"I have a great team around me. My job is to ensure they understand where we’re trying to take the business."

What would be your epitaph?

"He was always the optimist."