Chairman appointed to Energy Systems Catapult
Energy industry professional Nick Winser has been appointed as Chairman of the Energy Systems Catapult, one of the latest technology and innovation centres set to open this year.
Nick Winser is currently Chair of National Grid Gas and National Grid Electricity Transmission – he plans to leave these positions in the summer of 2015. He is President of the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity. Prior to this Nick served 11 years on the board of National Grid.
The Energy Systems Catapult will be focused on exploiting the commercial opportunities for new technology-based products and services created by the transformation and improvement of energy networks – electricity, combustible gases and heat.
It is one of two new Catapults set to open from April 2015, alongside the Precision Medicine Catapult. There are currently seven Catapults up and running – High Value Manufacturing, Cell Therapy, Satellite Applications, Future Cities, Digital, Offshore Renewable Energy and Transport Systems.
Universities, Science and Cities Minister Greg Clark said:
“Nick Winser has been a leading figure in the UK energy sector for many years now, and I’m delighted that he is taking up the post as Chairman of the new Energy Systems Catapult. The expertise that he will bring to the post will be invaluable in driving the success of this important new centre.”
Welcoming the appointment Simon Edmonds, Catapult Programme Director at Innovate UK, said: “Nick Winser is a first-class choice to be chairman of the new Energy Systems Catapult. His wealth of experience and expertise in the energy sector will be invaluable to the Catapult’s goal of making the UK the leading place worldwide to develop new products and services for energy systems.”
Nick Winser said:
"I am very excited to be joining the Catapult. Our energy systems are entering a period of huge change as we decarbonise the economy and take advantage of the new technology that is now available. The Energy System Catapult will enable Britain to become a world leader in this transformation."
Innovate UK and Nick Winser can now move ahead with the final selection of a location for the Catapult – an announcement is expected in the next month or two. The Chairman will also start recruitment for a Chief Executive for the new organisation.
