John Pettigrew FEI FIET

Our Chief Executive is responsible for the executive leadership and day-to-day management of the Company, ensuring delivery of the strategy agreed by the Board. Through his leadership of the Group Executive Committee, he demonstrates commitment to safety, operational and financial performance.

Appointed: 1 April 2014 and Chief Executive with effect from 1 April 2016

Committee membership: Group Executive and Finance

Tenure: 9 years

Career: John joined National Grid as a graduate in 1991 and has progressed through many senior management roles, demonstrating a strong track record of developing and implementing global strategies for profitable growth. He is responsible for executive leadership and day-to-day management of the Company to ensure the delivery of the strategy agreed by the Board. John contributes widely to external industry discussions shaping energy policy and brings significant know-how and commerciality to his leadership of the executive team and management of the Company’s business.

Skills and competencies: John continues to lead the implementation of National Grid’s strategy. This year a new Group operating model was introduced under John’s leadership, in order to: improve customer and stakeholder relationships; evolve our ways of working and culture; and, ensure a step change in efficiency and effectiveness. Recently John progressed the Company’s strategic pivot, including the successful acquisition of the UK electricity distribution business (‘NGED’), the sale of a majority stake in our UK Gas Transmission and Metering business, and the sale of the Rhode Island business. These transactions will deliver strategic benefits to the Group including improving our long-term growth prospects which will deliver attractive returns for our shareholders. The Group’s target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050 is an example of John’s commitment and ambition to lead the Group in delivering a cleaner future.

External appointments:

• Senior Independent Director of Rentokil Initial plc
• Member of the Edison Electric Institute Executive Committee