RenewableUK’s CEO Hugh McNeal and Board have agreed to begin the process of recruiting the organisation’s next Chief Executive. A new CEO is expected to be appointed next year and Hugh will continue to lead the team until his successor is in place.

Hugh joined RenewableUK in April 2016 at an uncertain time for the sector, with the Government’s support scheme for onshore wind closing and offshore wind yet to achieve the spectacular cost reductions which have put it at the heart of the UK’s net zero strategy.

Hugh’s time at RenewableUK has seen the industry go from strength to strength, and has been marked by a string of policy successes. The Government has changed its policy to support new onshore wind through Contracts for Difference auctions, the industry has secured a target of 40GW of offshore wind by 2030 and new policies are in development to support innovative technologies, like floating offshore wind and marine renewables.

Earlier this year RenewableUK launched its vision of the energy transition, setting out its ambition to see over 75% of UK power provided by renewables by 2050 and unveiling our green economic recovery plans to attract investment of over £20bn which will support 12,000 new highly skilled jobs.

RenewableUK’s Board is leading the recruitment process, advised by Taylor Hopkinson, and the advert is now live.

Hugh McNeal said:
“The time I’ve spent as CEO of RenewableUK has been the most enjoyable work I’ve done in my entire career. I’m immensely proud of the work our members are doing to transform the UK’s energy system, and our industry is leading the fastest low carbon transition of any major economy.

“We have a long way to go to achieve net zero but we’re making extraordinary progress, driven by a sector which is achieving breakthroughs that no one expected even a few years ago. My successor will have the support of a fantastic team and Board at RenewableUK to take us even further in making renewables the backbone of our future energy system”.

RenewableUK Chair Stephen Bull said:
“The Board and I are incredibly grateful to Hugh for his superb leadership through a period which has seen a real transformation in the industry. Hugh will leave a fantastic legacy to build on at RenewableUK, and the next CEO will be at the heart of industry’s efforts to shape the transition to net zero”.

“Our industry is at the forefront of the green recovery, delivering the world’s largest renewable energy projects, investing in green hydrogen technologies and creating jobs and capacity in the UK supply chain. It’s an incredibly exciting time for the sector as we scale up to meet the challenges of the 2020s”.

KeyFacts Energy Industry Directory: RenewableUK