Non-Executive Director (representing the interests of energy suppliers)

SMART ENERGY GB; City Of London; On-site; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A not-for-profit energy organization in London is seeking a non-executive director to oversee governance and strategy related to smart meter implementation. The ideal candidate must be an employee of an energy supplier, possess strong communication skills, and have an understanding of governance arrangements. Responsibilities include preparing for Board meetings, ensuring compliance, and contributing to annual plans. This role aids in the roll-out of smart meters across the UK and supports operational excellence.

Qualifications

• Employee of an energy supplier or nominated by one.
• Commitment to the delivery of smart meters and their benefits.
• Appreciation of Smart Energy GB’s responsibilities and stakeholder engagement.

Responsibilities

• Prepare for Board meetings and participate in discussions.
• Scrutinize the annual business plan and budget.
• Ensure compliance with legal requirements.

Skills

Understanding of smart meters

Excellent communication skills

Experience in governance arrangements

Ability to provide oversight

Financial management skills

Job description

Please only apply for this position if you are an employee of an energy supplier or nominated by one, as this is a requirement for this role.

Smart Energy GB is a not-for-profit company, limited by guarantee and funded by energy suppliers. It was established by the government to support the smart meter implementation programme by encouraging domestic and non-domestic customers to get a smart meter and, in so doing, allow them to better manage their energy consumption.

Smart Energy GB is in an important phase of its life to support the roll out of smart meters to all homes and small businesses in the country. It is working to complete this goal by 2030. The Board oversees the development and implementation of the company’s strategy to meet this objective.

Smart Energy GB’s operations are focused on encouraging domestic consumers and microbusinesses to get a smart meter. It also has a responsibility to increase the willingness of consumers to change their behaviour to enable them to more effectively and efficiently manage their consumption of energy. There is also a requirement that we communicate with customers in vulnerable circumstances to ensure they are aware of and understand the benefits of smart meters while assisting them to realise the benefits of smart meters.

All non-executive directors serve as full directors of the company in an individual capacity. Consequently, they have a legal responsibility to exercise independent judgement and in all their actions as a non-executive director act in the best interests of Smart Energy GB and support the company in meeting its objectives.

Directors need to familiarise themselves with the full description of Smart Energy GB’s objectives, and the other requirements regarding the governance of the organisation which are set out in the supplier licences and in the company’s articles of association.

The role of the board is to oversee the direction and outputs of the organisation. It meets 6 times a year to oversee the development of the strategy and the in-year performance against it. It works closely with the executive team who manage the company’s day to day operations.

Key tasks/responsibilities:

• To prepare for Board meetings by reading papers provided in advance, and participate in discussions and decision making
• To participate in the Board’s scrutiny of the development of the annual business plan and budget
• Ensure that the company is using its reasonable endeavours to deliver on the results targeted in the Performance Management Framework (the document that details the metrics and targets that the organisation must meet) and doing so in a way that is most consistent with the objectives of the company as set out in the supplier licences and the company’s articles of association
• To be able to explain and support the Board’s collective decisions when discussing the activities of Smart Energy GB with stakeholders
• To attend the company’s annual general meeting (AGM) and, under instruction from the Chair of the Board, support the Chair of the Board and the Chair of Audit and Risk Committee (ARC) in their presentations to members
• To be responsible as a director to ensure that the Board meets all legal requirements of a limited company and is in full compliance with the company’s governing documents
• As a director to ensure the company has robust and reliable risk management and financial control processes in operation and is able to produce reliable audited annual accounts in a timely manner
• To participate in any Board sub-committees (e.g. remuneration committee, ARC committee), at the request of the Chair and/or the Board
• To be available to provide ad hoc advice to the management team, on request, between Board meetings
• To ensure at all times any conflict of interest is avoided and to act and advice in the best interests of the company.

If invited to be a member of the Audit and Risk Committee, you will be expected to:

• To familiarise yourself with the Audit and Risk Committee’s terms of reference which contains details on the proceedings of the committee
• Attend circa 4 meetings a year (held at Smart Energy GB’s offices in central London)
• Read papers in advance of each meeting and contribute to the proceedings of the meeting

In addition to the above, a non-executive director representing the interest of energy suppliers is required to Chair the two advisory sub-committees to the Board, which shall be tasked with developing the Performance Management Framework (one for domestic, one for non-domestic) as well as other duties as the Board sees fit. The chair of these subcommittees will receive additional remuneration for this responsibility.

Skills, experience and competencies:

• To be an employee of an energy supplier or nominated by one (required)
• A demonstrable understanding of, and commitment to, the delivery of smart meters and their benefits to British consumers
• An appreciation of Smart Energy GB’s role and responsibilities and its liaison with stakeholders across the smart meter implementation programme
• The ability to contribute to the Board’s oversight of for Smart Energy GB’s consumer engagement activities; probing and constructively challenging the executive management team on their reports to the board and in the performance of their responsibilities; and offering positive support where appropriate
• The ability to contribute constructively to the Board’s scrutiny and agreement of Smart Energy GB’s annual plans, and delivery against those plans
• It is expected that the ability to provide effective oversight of Smart Energy GB’s activities will include experience in some of the following areas of expertise: marketing and communication, smart metering (domestic and/or non-domestic), behaviour change, engagement with consumers in vulnerable circumstances and other areas relevant to overseeing the work of the company
• The ability to interrogate annual budgets and the ongoing financial management thereof to ensure good value for money is achieved across the organisation
• An active interest in, and knowledge of, good practice governance arrangements and the role of a non-executive Board
• Excellent communication skills (verbal/writing)
• A demonstrable commitment to supporting the delivery of our work to the full diversity of communities and people around Great Britain, including those in vulnerable circumstances
• Appreciation of the objectives and activities of Smart Energy GB.

Please note that Board meetings are currently scheduled for:

• 4th February 2026 (AM)
• 24th March 2026 (AM)
• 7th May 2026 (AM)
• 9th July 2025 (AM)
• 24th September 2025 (AM)
• 12th November 2025 (AM)

Diversity

Smart Energy GB is an equal opportunity employer and we value diversity. We use data to measure the effectiveness of our attraction and selection methods to ensure that they are fair and equitable and that opportunities at Smart Energy GB are accessible to people from all backgrounds.

We actively encourage applications from currently under-represented groups. We have identified ethnic minority, lower socio-economic background, disability and gender as the key areas we would like to focus our recruitment efforts in.

What do we do at Smart Energy GB to promote diversity and inclusion?

Every person who applies for a role at Smart Energy GB is asked to complete a diversity questionnaire and they are asked whether or not they consent to their diversity data being taken into consideration at the shortlisting stage.

1. Rooney Rule

We are building a team that is able to understand the needs of and effectively communicate with the whole of our diverse nation. We want our team to reflect the diversity of the wider population, in terms of the representation of people from ethnic minority and lower socioeconomic backgrounds.

If consent is given, of the candidates who meet the essential selection criteria for the role and who are from ethnic minority or lower socio‑economic backgrounds, at least one will be shortlisted for the next stage in the recruitment process, which is usually an interview.

2. Disability

All disabled applicants who meet the minimum requirements of the job as set out in the job description will be guaranteed an interview, if consent is given for this data to be taken into consideration at the shortlisting stage.

If there’s anything we can do to make our interview process or working environment more inclusive and to meet your particular needs please let us know. Our offices have full wheelchair access.

To apply for the role

Please click 'apply' and you will be redirected to our careers page to submit your application.

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email [e-mail]. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use. An audio/visual version is also available upon request.

The deadline for applications is Thursday 4th December 2025.