After nearly seven years at the helm of the Net Zero Technology Centre (NZTC), Colette Cohen is standing down as chief executive, with Myrtle Dawes announced as her replacement.
Cohen launched NZTC in 2017, created as part of the Aberdeen City Region Deal with £180m of UK and Scottish government funding.
The centre has gone on to co-invest more than £253m with industry in technologies, from well plugging and abandonment, to autonomous robotics and renewable power systems. It has screened more than 1,800 new technologies, progressed 175 field trials and helped over 33 technologies to commercialise.
Under her leadership, the centre also built a start-up eco system through its TechX Accelerator programme, with 45 businesses supported, while TechX Pioneers have raised more than £75m in equity since graduating the programme.
NZTC chair Martin Gilbert said: “In an industry that is traditionally slow to change and considerably risk averse when it comes to adopting new technology, Colette had a monumental task on her hands to shape an offering from the Net Zero Technology Centre that industry would buy-in to and advocate.
“A champion for diversity and inclusion, Colette is a formidable leader ensuring the centre remained relevant as the global focus increased on cutting emissions and low carbon technology.
“She continued to evolve the businesses strategy and position it for growth and is handing over the reins at an exciting time for the centre.”
Cohen said: “I have relished every minute of my nearly seven years at NZTC and am tremendously proud of the impact the centre has made, and continues to make, on the technology landscape in the north east of Scotland and throughout the UK.
“I have built a team focused on delivery and we’ve turned our technology vision into reality, propelling technologies from development to commercialisation and making a demonstrable impact in the offshore energy sector.
“It’s time for me to step back, enjoy some downtime with my family and focus on my work with other boards, accelerating the energy transition and building the next generation of female leaders.
“The energy transition and technology are two constantly moving targets and there is still so much untapped opportunity, this requires a strong proven leader and I am delighted to be handing the reins to Myrtle who will take the centre to its next level of success”.
Dawes will assume the position in July.
She joined NZTC in 2019 as solution centre director, leading the delivery of technology development and deployment, and project growth strategies.
“I am honoured to be appointed CEO at such a pivotal time for both the energy industry and NZTC, and excited to take the centre forward and achieve even more,” she commented.
Dawes is also a non-executive board member of FirstGroup, non-executive board member of the Centre for Process Innovation, an advisory board member for the Association of Black and Minority Engineers and sits on the technology leadership board.
A chartered chemical engineer, she has extensive experience in the energy sector, both in the UK and overseas. Dawes began her career 30 years ago as an offshore engineer for BP, before delivering on leadership roles in engineering, project management, technology and digital transformation.
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