AFC Energy appoints Jim Gibson as chief operating officer

AFC Energy, an industrial fuel cell power firm, has appointed industry veteran Jim Gibson as chief operating officer and member of the board with immediate effect.

The AIM-listed company said that Gibson’s experience in operational management and business development in the chemicals sector is critical as AFC Energy is set to commercialise its alkaline fuel cell system.

Gibson, who has almost 30 years' experience in the engineering contracting sector and particularly within the Asia Pacific region, had taken a leading role at AFC Energy over the last four months in product and business development.

He spent 23 years at Foster Wheeler working in operational roles was as commercial director for the Asia Pacific region and as managing director of global sales and marketing. Recently, he spent two years at ThyssenKrupp Industrial Solutions and is a member of the Institute of Chemical Engineers.

Chief executive Adam Bond said: "Jim's credentials, experience and capability have supported the company over the past few months and have been a strong catalyst for some of the commercial and technical initiatives currently under development at AFC Energy.

“His direct experience in the chemical and industrial sectors drive an increased focus and relevance of AFC Energy's leading alkaline technology and fuel cell systems to that expected from our commercial, strategic and project partners."

Gibson added: "Having followed the company for the past couple of years, I have been most impressed at the strides forward it has achieved and the calibre of partners we are currently engaged with. I'm confident that a significant market opportunity is opening for AFC Energy's fuel cell and look forward to supporting the company's stated aspirations for 2017 of project development and technical success and beyond."

Shares in AFC Energy were up 2.24% to 16.87p at 0943 GMT.