Graham Cooley
Graham Cooley | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 1964 |
| Nationality | British |
| Education | BSc (Hons), PhD, MBA |
| Alma mater | University of Wales Institute of Science and Technology, Brunel University, University of Bradford, University of Oxford |
| Occupation | Entrepreneur & Investor |
| Father | Mike Cooley |
Graham Cooley PhD (born 1964) is a British entrepreneur and investor, known for his contributions to energy storage and hydrogen technologies.[1][2] Over a career spanning more than 35 years serving as leader in notable British companies, Cooley continues to play a significant role in the advancement of sustainable energy technologies.[3]
Early life and education
[edit]Graham Cooley was born in Slough, England in 1964 to Mike Cooley, an engineer, writer, and trade union leader and Shirley Cooley, a physics teacher.[4] He studied physics at the University of Wales Institute of Science and Technology (now Cardiff University), earning a BSc (Hons) in 1985.[5] He completed his PhD in Materials Physics at Brunel University in 1989, where he currently holds an honorary professorship.[2] Cooley later pursued an MBA at the University of Bradford and a Diploma in Managing Innovation from the University of Oxford.[5]
Career
[edit]Cooley began his professional career at the Central Electricity Research Laboratory (CERL) in Leatherhead in 1989, working as an R&D Manager. [6] Following the privatisation of the Central Electricity Generating Board (CEGB) in 1990, he joined National Power PLC, where he contributed to the development of the Regenesys energy storage technology.[7] He later served as Business Development Manager at both National Power and International Power PLC.[7]
In 2000, Cooley was appointed CEO of Antenova.[8] During his leadership, Antenova secured £9.4 million in venture capital funding and expanded its wireless communication product offerings before it was later acquired by discoverIE in 2021.[9]
Cooley subsequently became CEO of Metalysis in 2003, a University of Cambridge spin-out company.[7] From 2007 to 2009, Cooley led Sensortec, Universal Sensors, and Cawood PLC, focusing on industrial diagnostics and biosensor technologies.[7]
In 2009, Cooley was appointed CEO of ITM Power PLC, a manufacturer of electrolysers for green hydrogen production.[10] Cooley served as a member of the UK Government’s Hydrogen Advisory Council and chaired the ESG Committee at RenewableUK.[2]
Since 2023, Cooley has held several non-executive roles, including Director at Cadent Gas and Board Member of the Cadent Foundation.[2] He currently works at Light Science Technologies Holdings Plc, as Non-Executive Chairman from 2024,[11] and CAP-XX Ltd., as Chairman from 2025.[12]
Academic and professional recognition
[edit]Cooley holds the title of Honorary Professor at Brunel University, London.[2] He is a Fellow of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (FIMMM), the Institution of Engineering and Technology (FIET), and the Energy Institute (FEI).[2] He received the Bessemer Society Lifetime Fellowship Award[2] and has been named multiple times in the GreenFleet 100 list recognising his contributions to the decarbonisation of transport.[13]
Personal life
[edit]Cooley divides his time between Yorkshire and Oxfordshire, where he lives with his wife and daughter.
References
[edit]- ^ Chris Baraniuk,"The global race to produce hydrogen offshore". bbc.com. 12 February 2021. Retrieved 27 April 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g Joe Buchanunn,"New honorary professor to deliver a 'power up' for the Brunel Hydrogen Group". brunel.ac.uk. 2 August 2024. Retrieved 27 April 2025.
- ^ Gayle Rouncivell,"New chairman takes helm at Lancaster-based NanoSUN Ltd". lancasterguardian.co.uk. 6 April 2023. Retrieved 27 April 2025.
- ^ "Mike Cooley obituary: Champion of human-centred innovation". irishtimes.com. 12 September 2020. Retrieved 27 April 2025.
- ^ a b "Speakers CEO, ITM Power - Dr Graham Cooley". climate-change-solutions.co.uk. Retrieved 27 April 2025.
- ^ "Pineapple Power Corp - Corporate Update". research-tree.com. 18 April 2024. Retrieved 27 April 2025.
- ^ a b c d "Dr Graham Cooley appointed Chairman of NanoSUN Ltd". hydrogen-central.com. 7 April 2023. Retrieved 27 April 2025.
- ^ "Appointment of Dr Graham Cooley to Chair H2 Green". markets.ft.com. 6 March 2023. Retrieved 27 April 2025.
- ^ "Antenova Grabs $9.4M". lightreading.com. 1 August 2002. Retrieved 27 April 2025.
- ^ Ed Wiseman,"Hydrogen mobility gets £8.8m boost". telegraph.co.uk. 26 March 2018. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
- ^ Jamie Ashcrof"Light Science Technologies appoints Graham Cooley as chair". proactiveinvestors.co.uk. 7 March 2024. Retrieved 27 April 2025.
- ^ "Graham Edward Cooley Chairman, CAP-XX Ltd". wsj.com. Retrieved 27 April 2025.
- ^ "Graham Cooley Strategy Consultant, ITM Power". gf100.greenfleet.net. 6 January 2025. Retrieved 27 April 2025.