Governance

Our journey so far

We're committed to ensuring that our governance mechanisms reflect our commitments and ensure that the principles of responsibility guide us in everything we do as a business.

From transparency and culture, to making sure we have a diverse leadership team, National Grid adheres to the highest standards of corporate governance and we continually apply best practices.

The role of the Board

The National Grid Board is collectively responsible for the effective oversight of the Company and its businesses. It determines the company’s strategic direction and objectives, business plan, viability and governance structure to help achieve long-term success and deliver sustainable shareholder value.

Embracing diversity and inclusion

Our approach to corporate governance plays an important role in helping us develop our culture, which embraces diversity and inclusion, and strives to create an environment where everyone can fulfil their potential.

Our Board will continue to play a vital role in setting the tone right from the top. We apply a robust framework to ensure we capture stakeholder considerations and strengthen their voice in the boardroom.

Our commitments and ambitions in our Responsible Business Charter are: 

Our commitments 

• Continue to review and adapt our governance policies to reflect and support our responsible business commitments and ambitions 

• Continually review the company culture to ensure it is inclusive 

• Listen to our people and ensure their voices are heard at Group Executive and Board level 

• Ensure the voices of all our stakeholders are heard and understood by the National Grid Board 

• Achieve 50% diversity in our Group Executive Committee 

Our ambitions 

• Aim for our responsible business actions and impact to differentiate us from our peer group, and to make us a clear choice for ESG-minded investors 

• Meet and ultimately exceed the Hampton-Alexander and Parker diversity review standards and achieve 50% diversity in our Board 

• Build a company where everybody can achieve their potential 

Our contribution to UN Sustainable Development Goals

We support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity.

Learn about what we’re doing to support governance

We're ensuring that our approach to corporate governance underpins everything we do, embracing diversity and building a positive environment for everyone. You can learn more by reading the Davies review of women on boards, by learning more about how we approach Inclusion and Diversity and by reading stories to illustrate how, from the top down, we embrace and support a constructive culture.

Focus areas where we can make an impact

We have identified the other key areas where we can really make a difference by ensuring responsibility is woven through everything we do.