Greg Jackson, founder of Octopus Energy, has been appointed by Prime Minister Keir Starmer to the Cabinet Office board, where he will serve a three-year term as a non-executive adviser.
Jackson, who built Octopus into a £9bn global clean energy supplier in less than a decade, is expected to use the role to press government on modernisation and sustainability.
He has consistently argued for reforms to ensure the UK’s energy system reflects the realities of a net zero transition.
His controversial proposal to split the national energy market into regional zones was rejected by ministers earlier this summer, as it would have meant higher prices in the south-east and lower in Scotland.
Jackson argued that zonal pricing would “encourage heavy electricity users to relocate to areas that have more renewable energy generation such as Scotland and encourage renewables developers to base their projects closer to where their energy was needed.”
Despite this setback, his appointment underlines the government’s intention to bring in expertise from industry to shape policy.
Speaking to The Guardian, Jackson said: “Having been brought up with a sense of civic duty, I’m really proud to have the chance to contribute to public service.”
Octopus Energy founder joins Cabinet Office to drive modernisation appeared first on Energy Live News.