1 April 2026
April Meeting, W01 Building, Energy Transition Zone
The meeting reviewed GBE’s organisational progress, investment strategy and Taskforce workstreams. GBE outlined its focus on priority technologies, a growing investment pipeline and supply chain regional engagement.
Updates were provided on GBE’s recruitment ramp-up and HQ/office plans in Marischal square GBE also provided an update on its regional engagement to date, including joining the Aberdeen Grampian Chamber of Commerce and supporting the Aberdeen marathon.
Progress was made on key Taskforce workstreams:
- GBE will lead targeted supply chain engagement in the North-East of Scotland to improve project visibility and develop a shortlist of priority opportunities.
- Progress is ongoing for the Good Jobs & Skills Action Plan, with early initiatives like a school Hackathon in Aberdeen city centre this June.
- The establishment of a Local Community Energy Delivery Group to support the delivery of GBE’s Local Power Plan in the North-East
Attendees
- Alison Stuart – CEO, Nescan (AS)
- Allan Pirie – CEO, Ashtead Technology (AP)
- Bob Keiller – Chair of Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce and Our Union Street (BK) Online
- Bob Ruddiman – Co-Head of Energy, Burness Paull (BR)
- Dan McGrail – Chief Executive Officer, GBE (DMcG)
- David Whitehouse – CEO, OEUK (DW)
- Donella Beaton – Vice Principal, RGU (DB) Online
- Graeme Sword – Co-Chair of Taskforce (GS)
- Iain Anderson – Co-Chair of Taskforce (IA)
- Juergen Maier – Chair, GBE (JM)
- Maggie McGinlay – CEO, ETZ (MM)
- Michael Love – Head of Policy, Opito (ML)
- Myrtle Dawes – CEO, Net Zero Technology Centre (MD)
- Neil McCulloch – CEO, Adura (NMcC)
- Nicola McLeod – Director of Corporate Affairs, D2Zero (NMacL)
- Nick Dalgarno – Managing Director, Energy, Power & Infrastructure, Piper Sandler (ND) Online
- Reuben Aitken – Managing Director, Energy Transition and International Operations, Scottish Enterprise (RA)
- Roy MacGregor – Chairman, Global Energy Group (RM)
- Steve Gray – CEO, Ventex (SG) Online
Apologies
- Jeff Corray – CFO, D2Zero & Head of Energy Private Equity, Piper Sandler
Invited Participants
- Guy Arnold – Deputy Director Supply Chain, GBE (GA)
- Martha Selwyn – Head of Social Sustainability, GBE (MS)
- Tim Cullen – Director Business Development, GBE (TC)
Secretariat
- Megan-Rose Duffy - External Affairs Lead, GBE (MRD)
Observers
- Chris Nabney, Head of Media, GBE (CN)
- Hannah Watson, Visits and Events Manager, GBE (HW)
- Sharon Catterall, Market Engagement Officer, GBE (SC)
Welcome From Chairs
GS outlined recent Taskforce and GBE developments, noting the shift into a delivery phase. He highlighted evolving industry discussions on GBE’s role within the Aberdeen community and asked the Taskforce to help shape GBE’s future approach.
Welcome from GBE
DMcG – Highlighted strong momentum at GBE, with the headquarters secured and permanent recruitment now underway. This includes the appointment of three market-facing Managing Directors, with additional senior roles to follow. He invited the Taskforce to amplify and advertise this with its network.
He also outlined progress on strategy and investment, including the launch of the £300 million ‘Energy, Engineered in the UK’ (EEUK) Supply Chain Fund and the continued build-out of GBE’s investment activity. GBE is now operating across three core verticals - Local, Onshore and Offshore - underpinned by Supply Chain.
The Local Power Plan has been launched, with recent site visits, including to Orkney, demonstrating its potential in practice.
North Sea Transition
DW and JM – provided an update on engagement with stakeholders on the North Sea Transition, including discussion of the implications of the ongoing Middle East energy crisis. Taskforce members reflected on the wider energy transition, emphasising the importance of focusing on practical actions to support the supply chain and maintain a unified, coordinated approach across the sector.
GBE Investment Strategy
TC – Thanked members for their support and outlined GBE’s emerging investment strategy, aligned with the priorities in GBE’s Strategic Plan, including floating offshore wind, onshore wind, solar and long-duration energy storage. He highlighted the importance of balancing commercial returns with support for the domestic supply chain, noting opportunities in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.
TC – Reported a healthy pipeline of commercial discussions and reaffirmed GBE’scommitment to rapid, transparent decision-making.
DMcG – Reiterated GBE’s “no wrong door” approach and close working with other public finance institutions. Members noted the importance of aligning investments with existing UK capabilities.
GBE Updates
HQ and recruitment
DMcG – updated that GBE plans to move into its headquarters in the autumn, with recruitment remaining a priority and a ramp-up expected in May. Recruitment will begin with senior roles, followed by Heads of Function, investment leads and key junior posts. Taskforce members noted challenges around pay and organisational certainty with reiterated commitment to support in communicating GBE’s roles.
Regional engagement
MS – provided an update on GBE’s regional outreach, including its membership of AGCC and ongoing participation in regional forums. She noted that GBE will host a jobs fair in Aberdeen to support the recruitment drive on June 3, with Taskforce support encouraged.
MS – Noted GBE’s support for the Aberdeen Half Marathon. SG added that the event has seen strong uptake and will take place on Saturday 18 July, starting and finishing at Marischal Square.
Update on Taskforce Delivery Areas
a. Supply Chain
GA – Outlined GBE’s “Energy, Engineered in the UK” (EEUK) supply chain programme, focused on grants, supply chain interventions and equity investments. Part of the strategy development involves market engagement to improve GBE’s visibility ofpotential projects - including in the North-East of Scotland.
It was agreed this engagement will be supported by Task Force members ETZ and OEUK, who will work with GBE and other Task Force members to identify regional supply chain actors to engage with. Scottish Enterprise offered its support for this approach. Members emphasised the importance of regional supply chain engagement and were tasked with supporting the identification of companies for the engagement exercise.
b. Jobs and Skills
MS – Reported continued progress, noting that recruitment remains central to GBE’s strategic priorities.
MS, DB and ML – Outlined the proposed GBE Good Jobs & Skills Action Plan, covering organisational, regional and UK-wide activity. Early delivery includes an Energy Hackathon in late June involving Aberdeen city centre schools.
Members welcomed the continued integration of jobs and skills into GBE’s workplan. It was noted that engagement with additional partners, including NESA, is being considered, and that early engagement with colleges is underway. Members indicated their support for the workstream to proceed.
c. Community Energy
MS – Emphasised the need for stronger civic engagement to support effective Local Power delivery in the region. A Local Community Energy Delivery Group (LCDC) is being established as a Taskforce sub-group to identify potential projects suitable for possible GBE Local Power Plan support.
AS – Added that requirements for Taskforce support and advice will develop as work progresses. MM suggested involving NHS Grampian, which AS and MS agreed to take forward. BR requested examples of successful projects to clarify expectations. DMcG asked to ensure work aligns with the existing community energy ecosystem, which AS and MS confirmed it would. Members indicated their support for the workstream to proceed.
AOB and Action Log
- MRD to continue to provide Taskforce members with regular recruitment updates and role information.
- MRD and MS to supply Taskforce members with promotional materials and briefing information for the Jobs Fair on 3 June.
- MS and SG to share visibility plans and materials to enable Taskforce support for regional events, including the Aberdeen Half Marathon.
- GA to lead supply chain workstream with ETZ and OEUK and provide outputs back to the Taskforce (support from MRD and SC)
- All Members to input into a shortlist of 15–20 high-quality supply chain opportunities – MRD to coordinate with support from GA and SC
- MS to formally invite taskforce members to act as judges for the Energy Hackathon in late June and provide event details.
- MS and AS to establish the Local Community Energy Delivery Group (LCDC) and update the Taskforce on its work and emerging projects.
- MS and AS to provide the Taskforce with examples of successful community energy projects to illustrate the types of opportunities sought.