Graham Cooley

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Graham Cooley
Graham Cooley.jpg
Born1964 (age 60–61)
Slough, England
NationalityBritish
EducationBSc (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]

Contents

Early life and education

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

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

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

Cooley divides his time between Yorkshire and Oxfordshire, where he lives with his wife and daughter.

References

  1. ↑ Chris Baraniuk, "The global race to produce hydrogen offshore". bbc.com. 12 February 2021. Retrieved 27 April 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 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.
  3. ↑ Gayle Rouncivell, "New chairman takes helm at Lancaster-based NanoSUN Ltd". lancasterguardian.co.uk. 6 April 2023. Retrieved 27 April 2025.
  4. ↑ "Mike Cooley obituary: Champion of human-centred innovation". irishtimes.com. 12 September 2020. Retrieved 27 April 2025.
  5. 1 2 "Speakers CEO, ITM Power - Dr Graham Cooley". climate-change-solutions.co.uk. Retrieved 27 April 2025.
  6. ↑ "Pineapple Power Corp - Corporate Update". research-tree.com. 18 April 2024. Retrieved 27 April 2025.
  7. 1 2 3 4 "Dr Graham Cooley appointed Chairman of NanoSUN Ltd". hydrogen-central.com. 7 April 2023. Retrieved 27 April 2025.
  8. ↑ "Appointment of Dr Graham Cooley to Chair H2 Green". markets.ft.com. 6 March 2023. Retrieved 27 April 2025.
  9. ↑ "Antenova Grabs $9.4M". lightreading.com. 1 August 2002. Retrieved 27 April 2025.
  10. ↑ Ed Wiseman, "Hydrogen mobility gets £8.8m boost". telegraph.co.uk. 26 March 2018. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
  11. ↑ Jamie Ashcrof "Light Science Technologies appoints Graham Cooley as chair". proactiveinvestors.co.uk. 7 March 2024. Retrieved 27 April 2025.
  12. ↑ "Graham Edward Cooley Chairman, CAP-XX Ltd". wsj.com. Retrieved 27 April 2025.
  13. ↑ "Graham Cooley Strategy Consultant, ITM Power". gf100.greenfleet.net. 6 January 2025. Retrieved 27 April 2025.
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