Scottish Renewables, the industry body representing Scotland’s fast-growing clean energy sector, has appointed Angela Hepworth as its new chief executive officer following an extensive recruitment process. Hepworth will join the organisation on 20 July and formally take up the CEO role on 31 July, succeeding Claire Mack OBE, who has led Scottish Renewables since 2017.
With more than two decades of experience spanning the civil service and the energy industry, Hepworth is expected to play a central role in shaping Scotland’s path towards net-zero. Her appointment comes as Scotland continues to expand its renewable capacity, with recent figures pointing to record levels of green electricity generation and growing export potential. Scottish Renewables’ membership spans onshore and offshore wind, solar, hydro, tidal and emerging technologies, giving its new CEO a broad platform from which to influence policy, regulation and investment across the wider energy landscape.
Outgoing chief executive Claire Mack OBE announced earlier this year that she would step down to pursue the next stage of her career, remaining in post while the search for her successor was carried out. During her tenure, Mack helped establish Scottish Renewables as a leading voice in debates around planning, grid infrastructure and market reform, consistently championing the role of renewables within Scotland’s economy. Her departure marks the close of a significant chapter for the organisation, which has grown in prominence as renewable technologies have shifted from a marginal activity to a sector now generating more than the equivalent of Scotland’s annual electricity demand.
Hepworth’s arrival reflects the broader maturation of Scotland’s renewables industry, which has moved from a niche sector to a cornerstone of national infrastructure in little more than a decade. With major offshore wind projects in the pipeline, evolving UK and Scottish Government energy policies, and growing scrutiny on delivery, Scottish Renewables’ leadership will play a key role in ensuring the sector can meet its ambitious net-zero targets. Hepworth’s combination of policy expertise and industry experience is seen as essential to navigating these pressures while maintaining the confidence of government, investors and local communities.
Industry observers note that the leadership transition comes at a time of increasing focus on local supply chains, skills development and community benefit tied to renewable energy projects. As the organisation’s new CEO, Hepworth will be expected to deepen engagement with member companies and wider stakeholders, ranging from large utilities to smaller developers and specialist service providers. Her role will also involve articulating how Scotland’s renewable resources can support broader economic resilience, including opportunities across ports, manufacturing, tourism and rural economies connected to the green transition.
Susie Lind, chair of Scottish Renewables, said the organisation was delighted to welcome Hepworth as its new CEO, pointing to her proven track record in the energy sector and her strategic understanding of the challenges and opportunities presented by the energy transition as reasons she was the ideal choice to lead Scottish Renewables. Lind added that as the organisation works to deliver a sustainable, secure and affordable energy future for Scotland, Hepworth’s expertise would prove invaluable in representing members and driving the policy changes needed to unlock further investment and innovation.
For her part, Hepworth described herself as honoured to be joining Scottish Renewables at such a transformative moment for the energy sector. She acknowledged the remarkable progress Scotland has already made on its renewable energy journey, while noting there remains much more to do to fully realise the country’s potential. She said she was looking forward to working with the team at Scottish Renewables and its diverse membership to champion the sector, address barriers to growth, and ensure renewable energy remains central to Scotland’s economic and environmental future.
For Scotland’s hospitality and wider business communities, the continued growth of the renewables sector carries implications well beyond energy bills, touching on regional development, investment confidence, and Scotland’s broader identity as a sustainable destination. Hepworth’s leadership at Scottish Renewables is expected to help shape how that story is told, both within Scotland and to international partners, at a time when the country’s green credentials are increasingly central to its global reputation and appeal.
