Great British Energy appoints five non-executive directors to its start-up board

Five non-executive directors have been appointed to the start-up board of Great British Energy, the new publicly owned company tasked with driving the UK’s transition to clean energy.

The appointees will help shape the company’s strategy, ensuring it supports energy independence, attracts investment, and creates skilled jobs across the UK. Their roles will be pivotal in delivering the government’s Plan for Change, which aims to make Britain a clean energy superpower.

The new board members bring a wealth of experience from various sectors, including energy, government, trade unions, and industry. The five are: Frances O’Grady, former general secretary of the TUC; Frank Mitchell, former CEO of SP Energy Networks; Kate Gilmartin, CEO of the British Hydropower Association; Dr. Nina Skorupska CBE, former CEO of the Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology; and Valerie Todd CBE, an HR expert with experience in both public and private sectors.

The board, chaired by Juergen Maier CBE, will focus on scaling up Great British Energy, building its organisational structure, and establishing its headquarters in Aberdeen. Backed by £8.3 billion in government funding, the company is central to the UK’s energy security strategy and aims to reduce energy bills by investing in clean, homegrown power.

The government has also secured partnerships with The Crown Estate and the Scottish Government to support clean energy supply chains and unlock investment. Great British Energy is expected to play a key role in delivering the government’s clean power goals for 2030.

The new directors will serve initial contracts of 18 months to two years, helping to guide the company’s early development. Their appointments come as the Great British Energy Bill progresses through Parliament, which will give the company the necessary powers to operate effectively.