The Energy Technologies Institute in Loughborough has appointed a new CEO following the death of Dr David Clarke at the beginning of February.
Jonathan Wills has been promoted to the role from his previous position as programme delivery director, with immediate effect.
The £400m industry- and Government-funded research institute in the East Midlands seeks to address UK energy and climate change targets through low carbon energy system planning and technology development.
“I am honoured to have been asked to undertake this role, albeit in such sad circumstances. David was an outstanding leader of the ETI,” Wills reflected.
“David has assembled an outstanding team to deliver evidence-based analysis, technology demonstration and insights, informing and enabling the transition to a low carbon UK energy future.
“My role is to lead the ETI team to continue to deliver a material impact in its remaining time, and to ensure the considerable capability and knowledge developed over the last 10 years is not lost to the UK energy innovation landscape when the ETI finishes operations at the end of 2019.”
Wills has worked for the ETI in a variety of roles since 2011.
Prior to joining the ETI, Jonathan worked for BAE Systems for 20 years. He is a chartered engineer, a fellow of the Institute of Engineering and Technology and has an MBA from INSEAD.
ETI chairman Sir Rob Margetts said: “We are delighted that Jonathan has accepted the board’s invitation to serve as the new chief executive officer of the ETI and that we have been able to appoint such a capable candidate from within.
“This appointment will allow the ETI to continue to deliver its objectives with minimal disruption following the very sad passing of Dr David Clarke who established and led the ETI so successfully from its creation in 2007.
“Jonathan brings a wealth of experience to the role across a range of disciplines gained both within the ETI and from his previous roles.”