750 business leaders call on Labour to locate Great British Energy in Aberdeen – Aberdeen Business News

RENOWNED Scottish business figures have endorsed a movement to establish Great British Energy in Aberdeen. Leaders such as Sir Ian Wood, Martin Gilbert, and Douglas Craig are among the 750 business moguls who have signed an open letter to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, urging his government to establish a new state-owned energy company in the North-east.

More than 200 companies, including Wood Group (FTSE-listed), SCF Partners, and Piper Sander, have also lent their support to the initiative, which has been kick-started by the Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber Commerce (AGCC).

The number of signatures covers not just the energy sector but the entire economic landscape of the North-east, featuring names from professional services (Gilson Gray, TMM Recruitment, Raeburn Christie Clark & Wallace), commercial property (CBRE, Ryden & Savills), housebuilding (Scotia Homes, Kirkwood Homes), transportation (Firstbus Scotland), and hospitality (Malmaison Hotels, Aberdeen City & Shire Hotels Association).

The formation of Great British Energy is anticipated to be a component of the Energy Independence Bill, scheduled for announcement in the King’s Speech on Wednesday as Labour unveils its legislative agenda.

The state energy entity will have its headquarters in Scotland, though the exact location remains undisclosed, with Glasgow, Aberdeen, and Edinburgh being considered.

The Chamber contends that Aberdeen’s unique blend of industry know-how, strategic position, and public backing positions it as the perfect location for the new state-backed energy company.

It emphasises that Great British Energy must be co-created with the energy sector to ensure its success.

“That industry is largely based here in the North-east of Scotland,” the letter states, adding: “we have the largest cluster of energy supply chain companies anywhere in the UK, harbouring one of the largest concentrations of subsea engineering capabilities anywhere in the world.”

AGCC Chief Executive, Russell Borthwick, said: “On Tuesday morning, this letter will land on ministerial desks with a clear message from the North-east of Scotland; work with us to make the UK a clean energy superpower.

“Headquartering Great British Energy in Aberdeen will send a clear message that the city region will remain, for many years to come, a globally recognised energy hub and the engine room for a green transition.

“The business community of Aberdeen and Grampian is calling on Labour to recognise our strengths, to put their faith in us, and to locate Great British Energy in Aberdeen.”

Aberdeen City Council co-leaders Christian Allard and Ian Yuill have also penned a letter to the prime minister, advocating for the city. They argue that supporting the region will ensure that Aberdeen, rather than a city in mainland Europe, becomes the leading city in Europe for Net Zero energy.

Click here to visit AGCC and sign the open letter.