SSE’s Martin Pibworth Appointed CBI Scotland Chair to Lead Efforts on Sustainable Growth and Green Innovation

SSE’s Martin Pibworth Appointed CBI Scotland Chair to Lead Efforts on Sustainable Growth and Green Innovation

(IN BRIEF) Martin Pibworth, Chief Commercial Officer at SSE, has been appointed Chair of CBI Scotland, succeeding Jennifer Young. With extensive experience in sustainability and the net zero sector, Pibworth will focus on promoting long-term growth and addressing key issues such as skills shortages, the high cost of business, and opportunities in AI and innovation. He will work alongside CBI Scotland’s new Director, Michelle Ferguson, to engage with the Scottish and UK governments. Pibworth’s leadership is expected to foster collaboration between business and government, particularly in sectors like offshore wind and emerging technologies like data and AI. His appointment, effective January 2025, follows his long career at SSE and his recent role as Vice Chair of CBI Scotland.

(PRESS RELEASE) LONDON, 4-Mar-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — Martin Pibworth, Chief Commercial Officer at SSE, has been appointed as the new Chair of CBI Scotland, stepping into the role at a critical time for the business community in Scotland. His appointment aims to strengthen the business sector’s focus on sustainable growth, particularly in the net zero and green sectors. Pibworth takes over from Jennifer Young, Partner at Ledingham Chalmers, who previously held the position.

With a wealth of experience in sustainability and net zero initiatives, Martin is well-equipped to lead CBI Scotland’s efforts to unlock green growth opportunities. His leadership, alongside CBI Scotland’s new Director, Michelle Ferguson, will support ongoing discussions with the Scottish and UK governments on key issues including skills shortages, the high cost of doing business, and the expanding potential in AI and innovation.

Martin’s first official engagement as Chair will be at the CBI Scotland Q1 Council meeting on 5 March in Edinburgh. He will also attend the CBI Scotland Annual Lunch on 21 March, a prominent event in both the business and political circles.

Michelle Ferguson, Director of CBI Scotland, expressed her congratulations to Martin on his appointment, thanking Jennifer Young for her dedicated work. She highlighted that the current period is pivotal for the business community, with both the UK and Scottish governments focusing on driving investment in areas such as net zero, skills, and apprenticeships. She emphasized the need to address the high cost of business operations while capitalizing on opportunities in technology and green growth.

As the Scottish government passes its budget and with important national policy changes on the horizon, Ferguson emphasized the role of CBI Scotland in ensuring the voice of business is heard as these developments unfold.

In his statement, Martin Pibworth acknowledged the challenges facing Scotland’s business community but expressed optimism about the opportunities ahead. Drawing from his extensive experience in the energy sector, he stressed the importance of collaboration between businesses and governments to break down barriers to growth, investment, and job creation. He pointed to Scotland’s success in attracting investment in offshore wind as an example of what can be achieved when there is alignment between public and private sectors. Looking ahead, Pibworth highlighted emerging areas such as data and AI, where similar collaboration will be key to unlocking future economic potential.

Martin Pibworth’s extensive career at SSE, starting as an energy trader in 1998 and progressing through senior roles to Chief Commercial Officer in 2022, has provided him with the strategic and commercial expertise needed to lead CBI Scotland. He joined the CBI Scotland Council in 2022 and served as Vice Chair before stepping into the Chair role, effective from January 2025, where he will serve a two-year term.

About Martin Pibworth: Martin joined SSE in 1998 as an energy trader, which was followed by a series of commercial roles before becoming Managing Director, Energy Portfolio Management, and a member of SSE’s then Management Board in 2012. In 2014, he was appointed Managing Director, Wholesale, and a member of SSE’s Group Executive Committee. In 2017 he joined the Board as Group Energy Director, this was expanded to Group Energy and Commercial Director in November 2020, and re-titled Chief Commercial Officer in March 2022. He first joined the CBI Scotland Council in August 2022.

He became Vice Chair in January 2023. He will be in post as Chair for two years, effective 1 January 2025.

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SOURCE: The CBI