From GSK to National Grid: Claire Lund’s New CSO Position

After spending a 13-year tenure at GSK, Claire Lund has announced her appointment as Chief Sustainability Officer at National Grid.

Her position at GSK has been filled by Adele Cheli, who has taken over as Global VP Sustainability.

Claire’s new role builds upon her more than 20-year career in energy, procurement and sustainability.

Claire’s achievements at GSK

Claire leaves behind a legacy of success and innovation at GSK, including helping the company achieve A scores from CDP for Climate and Water – the highest possible rating.

At GSK, she worked across the company’s worldwide operations, medicines, vaccines, R&D and supply chains.

She worked on advancing planetary and human health mitigation, helping the sector adapt to climate change and nature loss.

She held the role of VP Sustainability for more than five years, with eight previous years as the company’s Head of Global Sustainability.

Claire contributed to GSK’s progress in transitioning to low carbon inhalers and embedding eco-design into its products in recent years.

During her time leading GSK’s Sustainability function, the company became the first pharmaceutical company to have its nature targets validated by the Science Based Targets Network.

Claire said on LinkedIn: “After an incredible chapter at GSK, I will soon be taking on a new challenge.

“I’m immensely proud of what we’ve achieved together. From embedding sustainability into our medicines and vaccines, to accelerating progress on climate and nature and decoupling growth and environmental impact, this has been a true team effort.

“I’m pleased to be handing the baton to Adele Cheli, who will take on the role of Global VP, Sustainability. She brings deep experience and strong strategic leadership and I know GSK will continue to deliver sustainability progress under her leadership.

“While I’m excited for what’s next for me, I’ll continue to celebrate the impact being made as GSK and the team drive towards a healthier, more sustainable future.”

Sustainability at National Grid

National Grid aims to deliver a clean energy future while enabling a fair and affordable energy transition.

Its target is to reduce absolute Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 60% by 2030/31 and reduce absolute Scope 3 emissions by 37.5% by 2033/34.

This is part of its commitment to achieving net zero by 2050 for Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions.

It plans to move to a 100% electric vehicle fleet by 2030 for its light-duty vehicles, as well as pursue replacements of its medium and heavy-duty vehicles with zero carbon alternatives.

National Grid has also set a target to restore the natural environment by 10% on the land it manages in the UK, through biodiversity conservation initiatives.

In her new role, Claire will be leading the implementation of National Grid’s sustainability and net zero strategy, while delivering the clean energy transition in the UK and beyond.

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About Claire’s new role

Claire is taking over the role at National Grid from Rhian Kelly, who is now Chief Sustainability Officer at SSE.

Upon her departure in October, Rhian said on LinkedIn: “Friday was my last day at National Grid. It is a wonderful place to work and I am very grateful to have had eight enjoyable years working across Corporate Affairs, National Grid Ventures and Sustainability.

“The one thing that stands out is the people, who are passionate about what they do and committed to supporting a secure, affordable and clean energy future.”

In her new position, Claire will build upon Rhian’s work at National Grid, focusing on innovations to drive decarbonisation through the energy sector.

She will lead the cross-functional sustainability strategy at the company, working on building clean energy infrastructure to support the energy transition.

Claire writes on LinkedIn: “I’m excited to be joining National Grid as the Chief Sustainability Officer.

“Secure, cleaner and more affordable energy is in sharp focus, with a once in a generation grid upgrade in the UK.

“I’m really looking forward to working with teams across National Grid, peers and partners to unlock these themes enabling a responsible and resilient system across the UK and NE USA.”