The Department of Energy Security has appointed the chief executive of the UK’s innovation foundation, Nesta, as its new lead non-executive director.
Nesta chief Ravi Gurumurthy, a former civil servant who worked in the Department of Energy and Climate Change, has been appointed alongside new non-executive board member Sue Ferns, a Prospect union deputy general secretary.
Energy secretary Ed Miliband said: “Ravi and Sue are two of the foremost figures in the clean energy sector and their extensive knowledge and experience will be an invaluable asset to the department as we deliver our [clean power] mission as part of the Plan for Change, bringing energy security, lower bills and good jobs for the nation.”
Gurumurthy has led Nesta since 2019, having previously been responsible for the International Rescue Committee’s work in designing, testing and scaling products and services for people affected by crisis across the world.
Before joining the International Rescue Committee in 2013, Gurumurthy held a number of roles in the UK government, including director of strategy at the then-Department of Energy and Climate Change. He was also a strategic advisor to the foreign secretary, and led work on the world’s first legally binding climate legislation.
Gurumurthy said he is “delighted to join DESNZ at a critical time for the delivery of its mission”.
“We are seeing huge innovation in our energy system, with new technologies and business models emerging,” he added. “In the coming weeks, I look forward to working with colleagues across the department to reduce bills, improve energy security, and support economic growth as we make the transition to net zero.”
Ferns, who is the senior deputy general secretary at Prospect, leads on the union's work across the energy and defence sectors; science, climate and environment; and gender equality.
The union has members across many parts of government, including in the energy sector, and recently signed a recognition agreement with DESNZ-sponsored body Great British Energy – Nuclear.
Ferns said: “Clean power will bring thousands of good, long-term jobs, for a diverse and skilled workforce, so I am pleased to be able to join DESNZ at this crucial time to support the delivery of its mission.”
Gurumurthy and Ferns have been appointed for three years, beginning from 1 May 2025, although the appointments were announced yesterday. They join existing non-executive board member Vikas Shah, an entrepreneur, investor and philanthropist.
New FCDO non-exec donated to her new boss
In further NED news, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has appointed a new non-exec who made donations to the then-shadow foreign secretary David Lammy ahead of last year's general election.
Karen Blackett donated £5,000 to now-foreign secretary David Lammy, to support the office of the shadow foreign secretary in advance of the general election in July 2024. This was previously disclosed properly in the Register of Members’ Interests in line with requirements
A declaration of her political activity published on her profile on GOV.UK also notes that she interviewed the chancellor Rachel Reeves twice: onstage at The Business Engagement Day of The Labour Party Conference in September 2024, and in May 2025 for the Thirty Club of London. It says she also compered the DCMS Growth Summit in Gateshead in March 2025 and that she was a founding trustee of The Black Equity Organisation, alongside David Lammy.