The chair of Labour’s new publicly owned energy firm, Juergen Maier, will not relocate to Aberdeen and will remain in Manchester, despite the company being headquartered in the north-east. According to leaked emails revealed by The Scottish Sun, Maier will primarily work from UK Government offices in Salford. However, officials emphasise that he will travel regularly to Scotland and other parts of Britain to meet businesses as part of his role.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer confirmed last month that GB Energy would be based in Aberdeen, following prolonged speculation. Maier has assured that the publicly owned company will create “hundreds” of jobs and “may eventually” reach 1,000 or more, providing a significant boost to the region amid the oil and gas sector’s decline.
Top businessman Maier was appointed to lead GB Energy in July and previously served as CEO for Siemens UK. Labour’s political rivals have criticised his decision to live over 300 miles away from the firm’s Aberdeen base.
SNP MP Dave Doogan remarked, “To be completely plain about it, this just sums up UK energy policy up – command and miscontrol of Scotland’s resources from hundreds of miles away.” North East Tory MSP Douglas Lumsden added, “It is an insult to the North East that the chair of GB Energy will be based hundreds of miles away.”
Maier has previously stated that Aberdeen will be at the “centre” of all GB Energy’s operations. The company is currently seeking office space in the city.
A UK Government energy spokesperson noted, “GB Energy will help make Britain a clean energy superpower, accelerating our journey to net zero through cheap, homegrown energy that will bring down bills and boost energy independence.”
The chair and board are also expected to spend regular time in Aberdeen, engaging with the local community and businesses.
