Great British Energy has appointed a new chief executive as the publicly owned energy company moves into its next phase of leadership and growth. Dan McGrail was confirmed as the permanent chief executive officer of Great British Energy in July 2025, after serving as the company’s interim CEO earlier in the year. Great British Energy was set up under the Great British Energy Act 2025 as a state owned investment vehicle tasked with accelerating clean energy deployment across the United Kingdom.

McGrail’s appointment followed a period during which he led the company on an interim basis beginning in March 2025. He had been seconded from his previous role as chief executive of RenewableUK, the trade association representing businesses involved in wind, wave, tidal, storage and green hydrogen technologies. Prior to that, he held senior positions in the energy sector, including roles at Siemens Engines.

Great British Energy is headquartered in Aberdeen and is designed to play a central role in the government’s Plan for Change, the strategy to make the UK a leader in clean power generation. The company has a mandate to invest in and co develop projects across the clean energy spectrum, from renewables to energy storage, with an aim to boost domestic energy independence and deliver economic benefits to communities.

On taking up the permanent role, McGrail secured significant …