Thurso-based battery cell developer AMTE Power plc said on Tuesday that Alan Hollis has been appointed to its board and will become CEO “on or around” October 31, 2022, as the firm makes a transition from development into supply.

AMTE said Kevin Brundish, its CEO who founded the company in 2013, will remain as a board director in the capacity of strategy director “where he will focus on the continuing development of AMTE Power’s high performance battery cells, relationships with its customers, suppliers and Government entities, in addition to participating in the strategic direction of the company.”

On Monday, AMTE Power announced that its chief financial officer (CFO) James Hobson intends to leave the firm to take up the role of CFO at Clean Power Hydrogen Plc (CPH2). Hobson has worked at AMTE for less than a year.

AMTE announced in July it chose Dundee as the preferred site for its first MegaFactory. The development at Michelin Scotland Innovation Parc would create 215 highly skilled on-site jobs and 800 jobs in the wider supply chain during development.

AMTE said it signed a binding Letter of Intent with Michelin Scotland Innovation Parc for the reservation of the site, ahead of a formal lease agreement to be signed in Q4 of 2022.

“Alan Hollis has a 20 year public company track record of developing and executing profitable growth strategies within engineering and manufacturing businesses with turnovers ranging from £4m-£200m,” said AMTE.

“In his last two roles he was a Divisional CEO in Videndum (Vitec) Group plc (“Videndum”) from 2015 to 2021, and a Divisional President in the UK in NYSE listed Crane Co. from 2014 to 2015.

“In Videndum, one of Alan’s portfolio businesses was the market leading cine and broadcast battery design & manufacturer Anton Bauer.

“Previously, Alan held leadership roles within the automotive and aerospace component and system supply businesses Doncasters Group, Firth Rixson and the PFW Group, as well as in the materials businesses of Delloro Stellite and Weir plc.”

AMTE Power chairman David Morgan said: “I am delighted to welcome Alan to the board of AMTE Power.

“The business has reached a stage of maturity where we are transitioning from development to production, and as part of this transition we are executing our plan to broaden the executive team to enable the company to deliver its growth plans.

“Alan’s leadership skills and track record in building high performing teams within a publicly listed manufacturing group will allow him to steer AMTE Power through its next phase of the business growth.

“His extensive experience of developing, constructing, and commissioning new production facilities will complement our team as AMTE Power grows its manufacturing footprint and capabilities at Thurso and Dundee.

“We are also delighted to retain Kevin’s proven expertise and know-how in driving the strategic direction of the company, alongside his detailed knowledge of the product offerings and end-market applications which will fully complement Alan’s manufacturing experience.

“This appointment will enable Kevin to focus on the continued development of AMTE Power’s high performance cells and new product development, which will form a key part of the strategic direction of the company.

“I look forward to working with both of them, in delivering AMTE Power’s ambitious growth plans.”