McCann UK's Mark Lund Appointed Non-executive Chair of Smart Energy GB

Mark Lund, chief executive of McCann Worldgroup UK, has been appointed non-executive Chair of Smart Energy GB, the national campaign for Britain’s smart meter rollout.

Mark has over 30 years of experience in the communications and marketing industry, and is an expert in behaviour change campaigns. Prior to joining McCann, Mark helped co-found two independent advertising businesses, including Delaney Lund Knox Warren (DLKW). He was chief executive of the Central Office of Information (COI), the UK government’s marketing and communications arm and behaviour change centre. Mark has also held roles at the Advertising Association and the IPA.

Sacha Deshmukh, chief executive of Smart Energy GB, said: "Mark brings an enormous wealth of experience in consumer engagement and behaviour change to this role, and I’m thrilled at the opportunity to be working with him as our new Chair. Smart Energy GB’s task to engage the entire nation is already well underway and Mark’s expertise will ensure that we continue to deliver an engaging campaign in 2016 and beyond.”

Mark Lund said: “Smart Energy GB is engaged in a very significant piece of behaviour change communications and has already delivered some great activity. I’m excited to work with a highly talented team to help make sure that everyone in Great Britain can benefit from the transformation that smart meters will bring.”  

Lord Bourne, Energy and Climate Change Minister said: “I look forward to working closely with Mark and Smart Energy GB to ensure all bill payers experience the benefits of smart meters by the end of 2020.

“I am determined to put consumers in control of their energy use. The roll out of smart meters will put an end to estimated bills and help people become more energy efficient.”

Smart Energy GB’s role is to build consumer confidence, awareness, and understanding of smart meters, and to encourage consumers to change their behaviour for good so they can better manage their energy. It is one of the biggest behaviour change campaigns that Great Britain has ever seen, and the largest change to the energy sector since privatisation.

The rollout is already well underway. More than two million smart meters have been installed across England, Wales and Scotland, and by 2020 every household will have been offered an upgrade. Smart Energy GB has already delivered a wide range of creative and engaging communications such as Requiem for Meters, Office of Estimation and humorous content to highlight the absurdity of estimated energy bills and will continue to do so to ensure that everyone can benefit from the upgrade.