Throughout his career, Chris has focused on helping industrial businesses to grow, through strong strategies, effective R&D, market expansion and acquisitions.
He is currently Non-Executive Chairman of 42 Technology, a UK based technology development consultancy, and a Non-Executive Director of British Engines Group, a UK based advanced engineering components group. From 2012-2021 he was a non-executive director of ComAp a.s., a Czech business producing control systems for renewable energy, micro-grid and diesel energy systems.
He also provides board level advisory services, focusing on developing value creation strategies and the commercialisation of new technologies, particularly in businesses involved in energy transition. Recent projects have included work on hydrogen as a renewable fuel vector, on new battery technologies, and on solar PV inverters.
Chris took early retirement from Rolls-Royce plc in 2012, where for thirteen years he was the Business Development Director. He had specific responsibility for the strategy and development of the group’s energy and marine businesses. These businesses include diesel, gas turbine and nuclear power and propulsion power systems, together with new ventures in fuel cells, tidal power, power electronics and control systems.
During this period, Chris was instrumental in the acquisition of Tognum to form Rolls-Royce Power Systems. He was also Chairman of Bergen Engines AS, Chairman of Tidal Generation Ltd., a Director of the Energy Technologies Institute, a non-executive director of Isentropic Ltd, a thermal energy storage start-up, and a non-executive director of the UK Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult.
Before joining Rolls-Royce, Chris spent eleven years with Arthur D Little, the strategy consultancy, where he was a European Director, focusing on technology commercialisation, innovation and growth strategies for a wide range of industrial and technology companies. His early career was in engineering research.
Chris has an MA degree in engineering from Trinity College, Cambridge, a doctorate in aeronautical engineering from the University of Bristol and an MBA from London Business School.
Outside work, Chris is a keen walker and wildlife photographer. He is also a classic car enthusiast, owning a fragile 1935 AC 16/66 and a slightly more robust 1968 Triumph TR5.