Key Points
- Great British Energy (GBE) is actively recruiting for several high-level executive positions, including three Managing Directors for Onshore Energy, Offshore Energy, and Local Energy, Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Chief Corporate Officer (CCO), and Human Resources Director, all based in Aberdeen, Scotland.
- The recruitment coincides with GBE’s £1.7 million investment to refurbish its headquarters at Marischal Square in Aberdeen, aiming to create up to 300 jobs in the city centre.
- Managing Director – Onshore Energy role involves leading origination, development, construction, and ownership of renewable assets like wind, solar, and battery storage, shaping strategy and advocating for capital allocation.
- Managing Director – Offshore Energy focuses on minority investments in offshore technologies, particularly Deep-Water Offshore Wind (DWOW) including floating and hybrid tech, with emphasis on partnerships and investment management.
- Managing Director – Local Energy seeks a visionary leader for community energy schemes, acting as an “intelligent buyer” for installations, with expertise in financial structuring and data-driven business cases.
- Chief Financial Officer (CFO) will handle financial strategy, risk management, internal audit, controls, and support investment decisions, reporting to the CEO.
- Chief Corporate Officer (CCO) translates strategy into operations, implementing a digital-first model, driving productivity and public trust.
- Human Resources Director will develop the organisation’s people agenda, with experience in setting up new HR functions.
- Additional vacancies include Non-Executive Directors (NEDs) at £1,000 per day for 30 days per annum, with applications closing 1 May 2026, to guide GBE post-setup phase.
- Current careers page lists roles like Head of Procurement, Assistant Commercial Leads, Head of Communications, Finance Officer (deadline 3 February 2026), and Commercial Lead.
- GBE, headquartered in Aberdeen, aims to accelerate clean power deployment, create jobs, boost energy independence, with leadership including permanent CEO Dan McGrail.
Great British Energy (GBE), the UK’s publicly owned clean energy company, has launched a major recruitment drive for key executive roles as it expands operations from its Aberdeen headquarters, amid a £1.7 million refurbishment of Marischal Square. The positions, including Managing Directors for onshore, offshore, and local energy, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Corporate Officer, and Human Resources Director, underscore GBE’s push to build leadership capable of delivering the government’s clean energy mission. This development, reported across multiple outlets, signals accelerated growth for the firm established to drive the UK’s transition to net zero.
What Executive Roles is GB Energy Recruiting For?
As detailed on GBE’s official careers page and reported by Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce (AGCC), the company is seeking top talent for pivotal leadership positions.
Managing Director – Onshore Energy: According to the AGCC article, “The Onshore Energy Managing Director will lead GBE’s team responsible for the origination, development, construction, and ownership of a diverse portfolio of renewable assets, including wind, solar, and battery storage. The successful candidate will shape the team’s strategy, deliver complex projects, and build internal capability while advocating for capital allocation through compelling investment cases.”
Managing Director – Offshore Energy: The role, as described in the same report, entails that “The Offshore Energy Managing Director will lead GBE’s minority investment strategy in offshore technologies, with a particular focus on driving the commercialisation of Deep-Water Offshore Wind (DWOW) including floating and hybrid technologies. The successful candidate will focus on investment origination, strategic partnerships, and investment management to deliver long-term value and influence in key offshore projects.”
Managing Director – Local Energy: The AGCC notes, “GBE Local is central to our strategy. We believe that GB Energy can be a transformative actor in the world of local and community energy and our vision is to make hosting and owning a local energy scheme possible for every community across the country. The Local Energy Managing Director will be the visionary entrepreneur who brings this vision to life. The successful candidate will offer deep sector expertise, combining customer-centric delivery with efficient financial structuring and the ability to act as an “intelligent buyer” to oversee the installation and integration of solutions, advocating for capital allocation through compelling, data-driven business cases that deliver measurable social, environmental and financial returns.”
Chief Financial Officer (CFO): Per the AGCC coverage, “The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) will be accountable for the financial health, resilience and integrity of GBE. Reporting directly to the CEO, the CFO will set the financial strategy, lead enterprise risk management and internal audit, ensure robust controls and transparent reporting, and act as a key partner to the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) on investment and portfolio decisions.”
Chief Corporate Officer (CCO): The report states, “The Chief Corporate Officer (CCO) will translate GBE’s strategic vision into operational excellence, ensuring the organisation is equipped to deliver on its growth and public value objectives. This includes designing and implementing a digital‑first operating model, driving productivity, resilience, and public trust, and embedding a culture of continuous improvement.”
Human Resources Director: As per AGCC, “The HR Director will be responsible for developing the new organisation and delivering across all aspects of its people agenda. The role requires an individual who has experience in setting up new HR functions and/or organisations, developing a workforce and culture to best enable a new organisation to deliver.”
GBE’s careers page further lists supporting executive-level roles such as Head of Procurement, Sourcing and Delivery Function (deadline 2 February 2026), requiring Government Commercial Function accreditation; two Assistant Commercial Leads; Head of Communications to shape GBE’s narrative; Finance Officer (qualified/part-qualified accountant, deadline 3 February 2026); and Commercial Lead for GBE Local.
Why is GB Energy Expanding its Leadership Team Now?
The recruitment aligns with significant infrastructure upgrades. As reported by AGCC, “As Great British Energy invests £1.7million in sprucing up its new headquarters in Marischal Square, the publicly-owned company is recruiting for a number of executive roles. It comes as GB Energy prepares to establish itself in Aberdeen and create up to 300 jobs in the city centre.”
This follows GBE’s establishment phase. Government sources via apply-for-public-appointment.service.gov.uk state, “Great British Energy is 1 year into its journey. We are recruiting three Non-Executive Directors to join the Board of Great British Energy at an exciting time for the company, following its initial ‘set-up’ period. A key focus for GBE will be maturing its organisational capabilities as it moves out of this set-up phase, whilst continuing to deliver at pace in line with its mandate set by government.”
FWB, the recruitment firm, echoes, “We are recruiting three Non-Executive Directors (NEDs) to join the Board of GBE at an exciting time for the company, following its initial ‘set-up’ period… These NED roles will be crucial in guiding GBE through that next phase.”
Who Leads GB Energy Currently?
Dan McGrail serves as permanent CEO. As per GOV.UK on 7 July 2025, “Dan McGrail has been appointed as the permanent Chief Executive Officer of Great British Energy, a company owned by the British people… Dan McGrail’s appointment brings world-class private sector experience to publicly-owned clean power company.”
Earlier, DESNZ announced on 20 February 2025, “Dan McGrail has been appointed as the interim Chief Executive Officer of Great British Energy… He joins start-up Great British Energy chair Juergen Maier.” McGrail, formerly of RenewableUK, took the permanent role after his interim stint.
The leadership page lists Tim Cullen as Director of Business Development and Partnerships, and Alison Presly as interim General Counsel.
What is the Background of GB Energy’s Recruitment Efforts?
GBE’s hiring began in 2024-2025. Yahoo UK News on 9 February 2025 reported, “GB Energy is facing a ‘challenging’ task to secure a chief executive for its Aberdeen headquarters… the new publicly-owned energy company is looking to begin recruiting for its Granite City base this month.”
LinkedIn postings in April 2025 sought a permanent CEO, closing 20 April 2025: “We are delighted to be working with Great British Energy to appoint their permanent Chief Executive… headquartered and run from Aberdeen.”
AGCC in August 2024 noted early roles like Engagement Lead and Policy Advisor in Aberdeen.
NED roles emphasise public service: “We are looking for individuals who are motivated by public service and committed to Great British Energy’s mission to accelerate clean power deployment to create jobs, boost energy independence and secure the benefit of clean, secure homegrown energy for the UK.”
Where are These Roles Based and What do They Offer?
All executive roles are in Aberdeen, Scotland, honouring the region’s clean energy role. NEDs commit 30 days per annum at £1,000 per day for 3 years.
GBE’s mission: “Deliver returns and long-term value: GBE will build a portfolio which is generating income by 2030 and be on a pathway to company-wide profitability.”
How Does This Fit GB Energy’s Broader Mission?
GBE aims to be a “transformative actor” in clean energy, per job descriptions. Managing Directors will establish governance from origination to operations, collaborating on supply chains and UK jobs.
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