• Dr Tony Cocker, former CEO and Chair of E.ON UK has been appointed Chair of Energy Systems Catapult
• Dr Cocker steps into the role following the departure of Nick Winser CBE who served nine years

Energy Systems Catapult is delighted to appoint Dr Tony Cocker, former CEO of E.ON UK, as its new Chair. Dr Cocker will step into the role previously held for nine years by Nick Winser CBE.

Tony is an experienced senior energy leader with 28 years’ experience in the sector, both with some of the UK’s largest energy companies and with innovators. He is currently chair of Future Biogas Ltd, a developer and operator of anaerobic digestion plants, and Infinis Energy management, the UK’s leading generator of low carbon power from captured methane. He is also a Non-Executive Director at SSE plc, the FTSE-100 renewables and networks business.

Dr Cocker brings a ‘whole systems’ perspective to the role of Chair of Energy Systems Catapult having also served as Chair of the Energy Innovation Centre (2018-2020) and Chair of the Energy & Utilities Industrial Partnership (2016-2017).

Dr Tony Cocker, Chair of Energy Systems Catapult, said:

“The Catapult has created an impressive track record helping promising clean technology businesses to bring innovative energy products and services to market.

“With just 26 years left to hit our Net Zero target, this is an incredibly important and exciting time to be joining the team. We are seeing companies aiming to transform the energy system, making the transition to a zero-carbon economy easier, cheaper, more accessible, and simpler for consumers.

“There are a host of economic opportunities that innovators – large and small – can seize as we make the move to Net Zero. I look forward to helping the Catapult team to support these talented innovators to reshape the sector.”

Guy Newey, Chief Executive Officer at Energy Systems Catapult, said:

“Tony will be a fantastic addition to Energy Systems Catapult. He brings a wealth of sector experience and expertise that will help bolster our mission to accelerate Net Zero energy innovation.

“We are delighted to have him on board as we move into our next phase of helping the innovators we work with create a clean, consumer-friendly energy system.”

Nick Winser, outgoing Chair of Energy Systems Catapult, said:

“Energy Systems Catapult has come so far in the nine years since it was founded. We have helped deliver economic growth and supported hundreds of companies to create new products and services that will be key to getting us to Net Zero. Whether it is our work on Local Area Energy Planning or Warm Home Prescription, we have ignited a spark in the innovation space to create a better approach that benefits both consumers and innovators.

“This work will continue under the leadership of Guy and Tony. No doubt we will see our Living Lab continue to grow in scale, and the SMEs we have supported – and will continue to support – will attract greater investment as they bring their clean tech innovations to market.”

Guy added:

“I want to thank Nick for his role championing energy systems innovation since the Catapult was founded back in 2015. He helped us establish the organisation as central to the debate about the future of the energy system, and to supporting the growing companies that will capture the economic opportunities of the transition.

“Nick’s recent work as Electricity Networks Commissioner is testament to his influence in the sector and with government. He will be missed by all at Energy Systems Catapult and should be proud of his legacy in helping create the success of this essential organisation.”