24 June 2026
London
Meeting purpose: This inaugural meeting provided an opportunity to introduce Advisory Group Members, the GBE Supply Chains Directorate and the Ethical Supply Chains Programme, to establish ways of working and to initiate long-term discussion points on shared challenges and opportunities for ethical supply chains in clean energy sectors.
Attendees:
- Baroness Frances O’Grady (Chair and GBE Non-Executive Director),
- Juergen Maier (GBE Chair),
- Rob Gilbert (Supply Chains Director, GBE),
- Lucy Shearer (Head of Ethical Supply Chains, GBE),
- Martha Selwyn (Head of Social Sustainability, GBE),
- Rachel Brittain (Supply Chains Policy Advisor, GBE),
- Melissa Murray (Ethical Investment & Partnerships Manager, GBE),
- George Foster (Deputy Director, DBT),
- Baroness Lola Young of Hornsey OBE,
- Sarah Champion MP (Labour MP for Rotherham),
- Merlin Hyman (Chief Executive, Regen),
- Gemma Grimes (Policy Director, Solar Energy UK),
- Gemma Freedman (International Officer, UNISON),
- Patricia Carrier (Interim Business and Human Rights Manager, Anti-Slavery International),
- Stephen Russell (International Labour Standards Lead, TUC),
- Danny Miles (Head of Collective Action, Ethical Trading Initiative)
Apologies:
- Chris Hewett (Chief Executive, Solar Energy UK),
- Rachel McEwen (Sustainability Advisory Committee, Royal Asset Management London)
Welcome by GBE
GBE’s Chair opened the meeting and welcomed participants. The discussion was framed around the opportunities and challenges facing UK clean energy supply chain sectors, including the role of industry, public finance and investment in supporting responsible growth.
It was acknowledged that GBE is building on the shoulders of what has already been achieved by members of the Ethical Supply Chains Advisory Group. GBE is committed to becoming a leader in ethical supply chains, using the advice and experience of the Group.
Member introductions and Purpose of the Group
Participants introduced themselves and noted their respective areas of expertise. The Group considered the Terms of Reference, including the purpose of the Group, expected ways of working, meeting frequency, and the importance of ensuring discussions are focused on practical recommendations so that the Group adds value.
The Chair noted that the Group has been established to help identify risks, strengthen due diligence, and improve transparency across all geographies and clean energy sectors.
Introduction to Great British Energy Supply Chains Directorate
GBE provided an overview of its flagship £1 billion supply chain investment programme, Energy, Engineered in the UK (EEUK), and its long-term strategy to grow UK supply chains and production domestically to support sustainable economic growth, diversification and circularity. GBE’s primary market influence will be exercised through its investments and business activities, rather than through direct purchasing decisions.
GBE representatives introduced the organisation’s role and the wider policy context for ethical supply chains. The Group discussed how UK industrial development can both advance living standards and human rights over time and build resilient clean energy supply chains.
GBE Ethical Supply Chains Approach
GBE introduced the four objectives of the Ethical Supply Chains Programme: Seeing Clearly, Collaboration & Collective Action, Shifting the System, and Shared Understanding. There was an emphasis on building GBE’s programme beyond due diligence, developing levers to support diversification, circularity, and re-manufacturing within the UK context as a key avenue to mitigate risk in the long term and boost domestic industry.
GBE’s approach is intended to align with the UK’s domestic legislation, in addition to international guidance such as UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, OECD Guidelines on Responsible Business Conduct, and ILO Guidelines on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, with the aim of developing a best-in-field approach that can evolve over time in partnership with industry and trade unions.
The Group discussed:
- The importance of transparency as a key tool and GBE’s role in demonstrating positive examples of good practice.
- Ensuring long-term industry buy-in and proportionate expectations.
- The levels of maturity in the energy sector and GBE’s role in promoting and requiring good practice.
- The value of engaging in/with multi-stakeholder initiatives, including worker-driven partnerships, and external experts whilst developing GBE’s own approach to ethical supply chains.
The discussion concluded with the offer to review GBE’s draft Code of Conduct ahead of its future publication.
Domestic and Global Regulation and Frameworks
GBE is developing its approach to due diligence in the context of significant international regulatory practices in relation to overseas domestic and international regulatory practices.
The Group discussed:
- The evolving and increasingly complex international landscape, with different legislative approaches to human rights, due diligence and supply chain transparency creating practical challenges and opportunities for industry, e.g. Chinese Supply Chain Security Regulations, the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA), the EU Battery Regulation, the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (EUCSDDD), and the UK Responsible Business Conduct Review.
- The role of diversification of global supply chains, and how GBE can intervene within the UK market to support this goal.
- How GBE can work with external initiatives and organisations to draw on global expertise, support harmonised business practice and continue driving higher standards and better visibility across supply chains.
Solar Partnership Scheme
GBE introduced the solar partnership scheme and recent public interest in procurement associated with the scheme.
The Group discussed:
- Utilising guidance to support responsible procurement for future schemes. It was raised that any guidance should be proportionate and consider impacts on SMEs and the wider community energy workforce.
- Challenges around procurement in smaller-scale projects, and GBE’s long-term procurement ambitions.
- The importance of local SME capacity and capability, and how GBE could look to support local public procurers and promote routes to alternative sources of supply.
- The value of visibility on ethical standards, whilst creating a safe, open environment for companies to improve transparency across complex supply chains.
Administration
The Chair set out proposals for the following meeting to take place before December and suggested a final meeting before the end of the financial year.
GBE will work with the Group and Chair to agree sub-groups to support delivery and report findings in the upcoming meetings, including a sub-group review of GBE’s draft Code of Conduct.
Chair's closing remarks
The Chair thanked the Group for their contributions and reiterated the importance of maintaining a practical, collaborative focus. The Chair noted that the Group’s input would support the continued development of GBE’s ethical supply chain approach and inform further work ahead of future meetings.