“Drive positive impact in society, by influencing financial decisions that drive outstanding
outcomes.”
Brian McNeill is a seasoned CFO, trusted board member, and dynamic finance executive whose career spans over three decades of transforming financial performance and operational strategy across the international energy landscape. With a deep commitment to performance optimization, operational excellence, and accelerating the clean energy transition, Brian has shaped the financial direction and governance of some of the most complex and critical businesses within National Grid, a leading electricity, natural gas, and clean energy company serving more than 20 million customers across the US and UK.
Throughout his distinguished career, Brian has become widely respected for his ability to revitalize underperforming businesses, drive measurable financial results, and cultivate high-performing teams recognized for their expertise, ethics, and leadership. He is a “trusted advisor” to the leadership team and his strategic acumen and operational insights have helped to elevate National Grid’s standing as an industry leader navigating the evolving demands of a clean energy economy.
As CFO and board member for numerous National Grid businesses, Brian has guided critical decisions impacting multi-billion-dollar operations. As CFO of National Grid’s $14 billion Electric Business, he led a remarkable transformation that increased return on equity (ROE) from 6% to 8% within 18 months, implementing robust performance processes that aligned business operations with corporate strategy. He further accelerated innovation by integrating emerging technologies through partnerships with National Grid’s venture capital arm, driving operational efficiency, safety, and sustainability.
Brian’s financial leadership extends beyond profit and loss management — he has consistently demonstrated a talent for advancing governance, regulatory relationships, and operational strategy. In his role as CFO of the US Customer Business, he not only turned around financial performance but also strengthened internal partnerships and drove alignment between the electric and gas businesses, achieving performance targets in both New York and New England for the first time in over five years.
As a board member of key operating companies — including Boston Gas Co., Massachusetts Electric Co., The Narragansett Electric Company, and Nantucket Electric Company — Brian played a vital role in enhancing governance structures, improving strategic alignment, and ensuring accountability for operational performance and financial controls.
Brian’s expertise in leading transformational initiatives has also been evident in his prior roles across National Grid’s US and global operations. As Head of Global Financial Planning & Analysis for Group Functions, he oversaw a $2 billion portfolio, led the global implementation of SAP, and established enterprise-wide performance metrics that standardized operations across finance, HR, IT, and strategy teams worldwide. His ability to drive large-scale change has had a lasting impact on the organization’s agility and readiness for future challenges.
Earlier in his career, Brian was instrumental in designing rate cases and financial strategies that secured growth and investment returns for National Grid’s Gas Business, including pioneering the integration of incentive mechanisms that elevated ROE from 7% to approximately 9%. His financial stewardship extended to managing the financial response during significant operational events, including emergency response and labor negotiations, demonstrating his calm, collaborative leadership under pressure.
Beyond his financial expertise, Brian is widely known for his commitment to building diverse and talented teams, fostering a culture of mentorship and professional development. His teams have consistently been recognized for delivering trusted advisory services and driving ethical leadership, contributing to National Grid’s reputation as one of the world’s most ethical companies.
Brian holds both an MBA with a concentration in Finance and International Business and a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Fordham University. He has further sharpened his leadership capabilities through executive education programs at the University of Pennsylvania, Harvard University, the University of Chicago, and other leading institutions.
With a leadership style rooted in integrity, strategic foresight, and operational rigor, Brian McNeill continues to be a sought-after voice in boardrooms and executive leadership circles. His career reflects not only financial expertise but also a profound understanding of the energy sector’s evolution — from traditional utility operations to an innovative, customer-focused, and sustainable future.
Character
Brian McNeill is a values-driven leader known for his integrity, accountability, and unwavering commitment to ethical business practices, consistently fostering trust within his teams and across the broader energy industry.
Knowledge
With more than three decades of experience in finance, operations, energy, and governance, Brian brings deep expertise in performance transformation, regulatory strategy, and operational excellence across electric, gas, generation, and clean energy businesses.
Strategic
Brian excels at developing and executing high-impact financial and operational strategies, driving measurable performance improvement, business growth, and innovative solutions that position organizations for long-term success in a rapidly evolving energy landscape.
Communication
A collaborative and transparent communicator, Brian builds strong relationships with internal teams, board members, regulators, and external partners, ensuring alignment around complex strategies and fostering a culture of engagement, clarity, and shared purpose.
