Leadership

Our board

We're overseen by an experienced independent board of industry and trade union experts. They bring knowledge on workplace rights, building UK supply chains, and driving investment in clean energy.

They will set our strategy for how we'll work with the energy sector and local communities. 

They will be responsible for:

  • providing leadership
  • setting strategic direction
  • reviewing the performance of management
  • meeting our obligations to our stakeholders and the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero as shareholders

Juergen Maier CBE, FRS, FREng, Start Up Chair 

 

 

Juergen was appointed Chair of Great British Energy on 25 July 2024. He is the former Chief Executive of Siemens UK, and prior to that held a number of senior roles in Siemens in the UK and Germany, including industry sector lead for the UK and Ireland and Manufacturing Director of the Drives Factory in Congleton, Cheshire. He has also served as a Non-Executive board member of the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) and co-founded the social enterprise vocL.

Frances O’Grady, Start Up Non-Executive Director

 

 

Frances was General Secretary for the TUC between 2013 and 2022, as well as former Deputy General Secretary from 2003. She is a member of the House of Lords and has previously held positions at the Transport and General Workers Union where she worked on successful campaigns to introduce a national minimum wage and equal pay for women. She has also served on the Resolution Foundation's Commission on Living Standards and has been a member of the Low Pay and High Pay Commissions.

Frank Mitchell, Start Up Non-Executive Director

 

 

  Frank is the former CEO for SP Energy Networks (2009 to 2022), Chair of Skills Development Scotland and NED of Scottish Rugby Ltd, as well as a member of the Scottish Energy Advisory Board. He has worked internationally in the energy sector for 35 years, including senior roles in the UK, Europe and USA covering generation, transmission and distribution networks, and retail.

Kate Gilmartin, Start Up Non-Executive Director

 

 

Kate is the CEO of the British Hydropower Association, and has a background in renewable energy and low carbon project development. She was also a founding member and is now a Director of the trade body Community Energy England, as well as board member for Rossendale Valley Energy, a Community Benefit Society and also a member of Greater Manchester Community Renewables.

Dr Nina Skorupska CBE FEI, Start Up Non-Executive Director

 

 

Dr Skorupska is the former Chief Executive of the Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology (REA). As a chemist by training, with over 40 years’ experience in the energy industry, she has worked in a range of senior executive and board roles at National Power, RWE, Npower and Essent NV. She is a former board member of Transport for London and a supervisory board member of the Dutch engineering and construction company, Royal BAM NV.

Valerie Todd CBE, Start Up Non-Executive Director

 

 

Valerie is an HR professional with extensive experience across the private, public and third sectors. Previously, she was Director of People and Organisation at Siemens plc, and a former Talent and Resources Director at Crossrail and Managing Director at Transport for London. She is also currently a Non-Executive Director at Digital Catapult.

Our executive committee

Our executive committee will:

  • set our direction as a company
  • allocate resources
  • track performance

We're continuing to recruit for these positions and will announce new committee members when they are appointed.

Dan McGrail, interim Chief Executive Officer 

 

 

Dan McGrail took up his post as Chief Executive at RenewableUK in May 2021, and was previously CEO of Siemens Engines. He joined Siemens UK in 2004 and worked in a variety of roles across the energy industry, becoming CEO in 2017.

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