Honorary DegreesJohn Pettigrew
Meet John
John Pettigrew is a passionate advocate for a clean, fair, and affordable energy future. He's spent more than three decades of his life at National Grid and is committed to sustainability, innovation, and leadership within the global energy sector. John has made significant contributions to the energy industry, particularly in steering one of the world’s largest utility companies towards a sustainable and resilient energy future.
Graduate trainee
In 1991, John joined National Grid as a graduate trainee and quickly distinguished himself by holding various key roles across the organisation. His academic background in economics, coupled with advanced management training at Harvard Business School, laid the foundation for his successful career in the energy sector. Over the years, he has served as UK Director of Engineering, Chief Operating Officer, and Executive Vice President for the US Electricity Distribution & Generation business, showcasing his versatility and deep understanding of both the UK and US energy markets.
New era of strategic leadership
In 2016, John Pettigrew was appointed CEO of National Grid, marking a new era of strategic leadership for the company.
Under his guidance, National Grid has undergone a transformative shift towards a more sustainable and future-focused business model. His leadership has been pivotal in the company’s strategic repositioning towards electricity in the UK, playing a crucial role in advancing the country’s journey towards net-zero emissions.
Heavy investment
John’s vision has driven National Grid to invest heavily in critical energy infrastructure, enabling the significant expansion of clean energy, including offshore wind capacity.
He has also championed the integration of innovative technologies, such as carbon capture and storage (CCUS) and the decarbonisation of heat through electrification and hydrogen solutions, positioning National Grid at the forefront of the global energy transition.
Future workforce
Moreover, John has been instrumental in advocating for a skilled workforce capable of meeting the challenges of a net-zero future, contributing to determining an unprecedented growth in UK sector need of around 400,000 positions by 2050. Under his leadership, National Grid has launched initiatives to bridge the skills gap in the energy sector, ensuring that the next generation of engineers is well-equipped to drive the energy transition forward.
Watch
Watch John as he delivers his speech and hear what he had to say to our students at their graduation ceremony.
We caught up with John ahead of receiving his Honorary Degree.
Congratulations! How do you feel about receiving your Honorary Degree from the University of Strathclyde today?
I am hugely honoured to receive an honorary doctorate from the University of Strathclyde. To be recognised by an institution so globally renowned for technological innovation and engineering excellence is a true privilege. Strathclyde’s commitment to developing graduates that can help solve some of the biggest challenges society faces resonates deeply with me, and I'm accepting the honour not for myself, but on behalf of all the mentors, colleagues, and partners who have helped over my career.
What’s the most important life lesson you’ve learned that helped you get to where you are today?
Throughout my career, I have faced countless moments where things went completely wrong. In the heat of those crises, the stress often felt overwhelming, and it sometimes felt like the end of the world. Yet, looking back now, it was precisely those painful, high-stakes failures that taught me the most. They forced me to adapt, built my resilience, and ultimately shaped the person and leader I am today, far more than any success ever could.
What advice do you have for our graduates?
First, be restless and never accept the status quo. True innovation and change only happens when people question existing processes and push boundaries. Second, let your values drive you. The values I lived by when I was the CEO of National Grid were "do the right thing", "find a better way" and "make it happen" - they were my compass for every decision I made. Finally, be courageous. Do not fear the moments when things go wrong or feel overwhelming; have the bravery to face failures, learn from them, and stand firmly by your convictions.
What’s the most important thing you do daily for yourself?
Every day I try to carve out time to exercise - it keeps my mind and body happy!
