Britishvolt Announces Management Changes; Orral Nadjari Steps down
August 22, 2022
- Battery technology pioneer Britishvolt announces founder Orral Nadjari to step down as CEO, having driven company from vision to reality
- Nadjari passes baton to Dr Graham Hoare OBE as Acting CEO
- News follows successful completion of ATF Grant Application: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/final-grant-offer-provided-tobritishvolt
LONDON, United Kingdom, 20/08/2022:
Battery technology pioneer Britishvolt today announces a transition within its management team, aligned to the company’s growth plans and 2050 vision. Founder and Chief Executive Officer Orral Nadjari is to step down, with Dr Graham Hoare OBE appointed as Acting CEO.
Dr Graham Hoare OBE, currently Britishvolt’s Deputy CEO/President Global Operations, and Chair of the UK Automotive Council, will utilize his 20+ year experience of delivering innovation, transformation, and change management in the automotive industry to lead the company as it reaches the next level of growth.
Following confirmation of UK Government support from its Advanced Propulsion Centre Automotive Transformation Fund*, these announcements position the company for continued excellence as it rapidly moves towards full operational execution. In line with plans, its first cell samples will be sent to customers this summer; testing indicates these will surpass quality and performance expectations.
“I am extremely proud of what Britishvolt has achieved since the business was founded in 2019, exceeding all expectations and bringing my vision to life. My vision was only possible because of all of the foresight of UK Government in creating a world-class battery cell ecosystem. In less than three years, we have created an enduring and sustainable organisation and remain focused to hit our mid-decade strategy of Phase One production at our UK Gigaplant.
Although it was a difficult decision for me to step away from the operational management of the company, now is the right time for me to pass the reins, after laying the foundations, to our hugely talented, world-leading team, who will drive the business forwards as it enters the execution phase. They have my complete trust to take Britishvolt to the next level.”
Orral Nadjari, Founder, Britishvolt
“On behalf of the Britishvolt board of directors, I want to thank Orral for his contribution to the company as our founder and CEO. His vision and leadership have been instrumental in ensuring that Britishvolt has reached the point today where we can look with great confidence to a highly successful future.”
Peter Rolton, Executive Chairman, Britishvolt
“I express my thanks to Orral for his leadership during the embryonic stages of this amazing company. Orral provided powerful insights, and a tenacious approach, that ensured the early ideas for the company were brought to fruition. I thank him for his huge commitment, energy and contributions. I’m honoured to take the company forward, in the next chapter of our growth and industrialisation.”
Dr Graham Hoare OBE, Acting CEO, Britishvolt
“I would like to personally thank Orral for building a world class team that are passionate about providing clean energy battery storage solutions as the world transitions to net zero. He has given us the vision and belief in ourselves to deliver the next chapter of the exciting Britishvolt story.”
Isobel Sheldon OBE, Chief Strategy Officer, Britishvolt
“Orral’s energy and passion for results has been a driving force for Britishvolt since the company’s inception in 2019. It is because of Orral’s vision and spirit that we have got to where we are, as a team, and it is that team that will accelerate the business to the next level. I wish Orral every success in the future.”
Joe Bakaj, Executive Vice Chairman, Britishvolt
Notes to Editors
* The ATF is a funding programme with the aim of creating a sustainable, zero emission automotive supply chain in the UK. The fund is an important mechanism to deliver the UK Government’s 10-point plan for a green industrial revolution and its recent Transport Decarbonisation Plans.
For more information please contact:
Ben Kilbey, Britishvolt’s Chief Communications Officer
[email protected] +44 7305 032904
About Britishvolt
Battery pioneer and technology innovator, Britishvolt, is focused on development of next-generation battery cell technologies and associated research and development. It is dedicated to developing the future of electrified transportation and sustainable energy storage, producing best-in-class, low-carbon, sustainable, responsibly manufactured lithium-ion battery solutions. Not all batteries are created equal.
Her Majesty’s UK Government announced on January 21, 2022, its support for Britishvolt from its Automotive Transformation Fund delivered by the Advanced Propulsion Centre. Britishvolt acquired battery cell developer and manufacturer, EAS, in May 2022, that will allow it to develop and scale up its larger 46xx high-performance cell formats and get them to customers quicker and more efficiently. The deal is subject to completion and any regulatory approvals.
Britishvolt believes that low carbon, sustainable, responsibly manufactured battery cells can help positively change the planet. The time has come to transition from fossil fuels to clean, renewable, low carbon electricity. The world deserves a clean air future for all.
Safe Harbour.
Certain statements in this press release concerning our future growth prospects are forward-looking statements regarding our future business expectation intended to qualify for the ‘safe harbor’ under the U.S. Private Securities Reform Act of 1995, which involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements.
The risks and uncertainties relating to these statements include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties regarding fluctuations in earnings, fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, our ability to manage growth, competition including those factors which may affect our cost advantage, equipment procurement, wage increases, our ability to attract and retain highly skilled professionals, time and cost overruns on fixed-price, fixed-time contracts or time and material construction contracts, customer concentration, restrictions on immigration, industry segment concentration, our ability to manage international operations, reduced demand, disruptions in telecommunication networks or system failures, our ability to successfully complete and integrate potential acquisitions, liability for damages related to battery service agreements, the success of the companies in which Britishvolt has made strategic partnerships, withdrawal or expiration of governmental fiscal incentives, political instability and regional conflicts, legal restrictions on raising capital or acquiring companies and unauthorised use of our intellectual property and general economic conditions affecting our industry. In addition, please note any forward-looking statements contained herein are based on assumptions we believe to be reasonable as of the date of this press release.
