Energy Systems Catapult has appointed Simon Virley CB as a Non-Executive Director to its Board, effective 1 October 2026.
Simon brings over 35 years’ experience advising on energy issues at the top table, in both Government and the private sector. For the past 12 years he has led KPMG’s Energy and Natural Resources practice in the UK and was made Vice Chair at KPMG in 2021. Before that, he spent 24 years in UK Government, latterly as Director General for Energy in the Department of Energy and Climate Change (now DESNZ). In total, he has worked in six different government departments, including the Treasury, No10, Cabinet Office and the Business and Transport departments.
Simon was recognised for his work on energy issues in 2014 as part of the Queen’s Birthday Honours. His other non-executive roles include Vice Chair and Fellow at the Energy Institute, Chair of UCL’s Centre for Net Zero Market Design, and Member of NESO’s Electricity Market Advisory Council.
Tony Cocker, Chair of the Energy Systems Catapult Board, said:
“Simon brings over 35 years’ experience of advising on energy issues, at the ‘top table’ in both government and the private sector. He is passionate about the energy transition and ‘making a difference’ in roles that have meaning and purpose, so I’m excited to have him supporting the work of Energy Systems Catapult as we help accelerate the scaling-up of high-potential innovators.”
Simon Virley said:
“I am passionate about accelerating the energy transition, something I have been involved with for over three decades through my roles in Government and at KPMG, advising companies, large and small. That is why I am delighted to be joining the Board of Energy Systems Catapult, which has a key role to play in supporting innovation in the energy sector and building a more secure, affordable and low carbon energy system.”
Enquiries
Adam Duckett
Communications Officer
Energy Systems Catapult
Email: Adam.Duckett@es.catapult.org.uk
About Energy Systems Catapult
Energy Systems Catapult is an independent research and technology organisation. The Catapult’s mission is to accelerate clean energy innovation.
Launched in 2015 by Innovate UK, the Catapult has built a team of more than 200 people, with a range of technical, engineering, consumer, commercial, incubation, digital, and policy expertise. The Catapult draws on sector-leading test facilities, modelling tools, and data collected from its back catalogue of more than 500 research projects.
The Catapult uses that ‘whole energy’ system capability to support innovative companies – small and large – to test, trial and scale new products and services. Impact comes when those innovators attract new customers, new investment, and new grants so they can thrive in the future energy system.
Based in Birmingham, Energy Systems Catapult is part of a network of nine world-leading technology and innovation centres, established by Innovate UK. The Catapult Network fosters collaboration between industry, government, research organisations, academia, and many others to transform great ideas into valuable products and services.