Dr Chris Hobbs 

Chris is Head of Business Strategy Department at the Satellite Applications Catapult and previously Managing Director of a technology-based SME (Cella Energy) producing portable solid-state power sources based on hydrogen generation. He has a strong and proven success in leadership, business management, business development, bid, programme, project and product management. He is an enthusiastic, respected completer-finisher with a passion for building businesses and moving technology through the product cycle and Technology Readiness Levels and into the market place. He prides himself on ‘making things happen’ by leading and working through people at all levels of the organisation. His current focus is supporting companies to grow through collaboration, facilitation, intervention and mentoring. He has previously worked in large corporates (QinetiQ, AEA Technology) and SMEs (Cella Energy, Risk Solutions). He brings a wealth of experience to the table in terms of providing risk-based solutions to problems facing C-level personnel on asset management, standards and failure modes, and has worked across markets ranging from rail, power generation and supply, automotive, aerospace (manned & unmanned), defence and Government. He has managed programmes including the relocation of a combustion facility, the provision of world-first in-engine test system, the delivery of inspection services to a South American organisation under the auspices of UNIDO, and work involving partners across Europe, America, Asia & Australia.