The founder and CEO of the company leading plans to launch a £3.8bn battery gigafactory has announced he is stepping down.
Orral Nadjari says “now is the right time” to leave Britishvolt, having received confirmation of Government funding that will help it build a 3,000-job electric vehicle battery plant on the Northumberland coast at Blyth. Graham Hoare has now been appointed acting CEO at the business, amid news that construction will be limited for the next six months.
Mr Hoare, currently Britishvolt’s deputy CEO, president of global operations and chair of the UK Automotive Council, said he will use his 20-plus years of experience to lead the company. Revealing the management shake-up, Britishvolt said the announcements “position the company for continued excellence as it rapidly moves towards full operational execution”.
It also said that, in line with its plans, its first cell samples will be sent to customers this summer, with testing indicating they will surpass quality and performance expectations.
Mr Nadjari said: “I am extremely proud of what Britishvolt has achieved since the business was founded in 2019, exceeding all expectations and bringing my vision to life. My vision was only possible because of all of the foresight of UK Government in creating a world-class battery cell ecosystem.
“In less than three years, we have created an enduring and sustainable organisation and remain focused to hit our mid-decade strategy of Phase One production at our UK Gigaplant. Although it was a difficult decision for me to step away from the operational management of the company, now is the right time for me to pass the reins, after laying the foundations, to our hugely talented, world-leading team, who will drive the business forwards as it enters the execution phase. They have my complete trust to take Britishvolt to the next level.”
Peter Rolton, executive chairman, said: “On behalf of the Britishvolt board of directors, I want to thank Orral for his contribution to the company as our founder and CEO. His vision and leadership have been instrumental in ensuring that Britishvolt has reached the point today where we can look with great confidence to a highly successful future.”
Graham Hoare said: “I express my thanks to Orral for his leadership during the embryonic stages of this amazing company. Orral provided powerful insights, and a tenacious approach, that ensured the early ideas for the company were brought to fruition. I thank him for his huge commitment, energy and contributions. I’m honoured to take the company forward, in the next chapter of our growth and industrialisation.”
Britishvolt hopes to produce more than 300,000 lithium-ion batteries a year at the Blyth site, making it the second gigafactory in the North East after the Envision AESC plant at Sunderland. The factory aims to create 3,000 direct and 5,000 indirect jobs once fully operational.
The company has previously struck deals with a number of companies to supply vital components needed to make the batteries, as well as arrangements with luxury car makers including Aston Martin and Lotus to design batteries for their electric cars.
Last week, however, the start-up manufacturer responded to reports of uncertainty surrounding the project, following on from assurances that work was continuing despite suggestions activity had stalled on site.
Britishvolt has previously said it has revisited construction schedules to make efficiencies across four planned phases of works – and last week it confirmed preparation for the building’s structural steel work will take place in February.
The company says that its ability to change the construction schedule means it can find cost savings and better source materials amid global supply chain challenges.
Following news of Mr Nadjari’s departure, Joe Bakaj, executive vice chairman, Britishvolt, said: “Orral’s energy and passion for results has been a driving force for Britishvolt since the company’s inception in 2019. It is because of Orral’s vision and spirit that we have got to where we are, as a team, and it is that team that will accelerate the business to the next level. I wish Orral every success in the future.”
Isobel Sheldon, chief strategy officer at Britishvolt, added: “I would like to personally thank Orral for building a world class team that are passionate about providing clean energy battery storage solutions as the world transitions to net zero. He has given us the vision and belief in ourselves to deliver the next chapter of the exciting Britishvolt story.”
