The Executive Management Team
Brendan Dow - Managing Director
Mr. Dow was appointed CEO in June 2005 and subsequently joined the Board as Managing Director in January 2007. Mr. Dow is responsible for the development and execution of the Company's strategic plan, accelerating the commercialisation of the Company's technology, as well as daily business operations. Prior to joining CFCL, Mr. Dow spent almost 10 years as Managing Director of the Australian subsidiary of two German global electrical component manufacturers. He was responsible for operations across Australia and New Zealand, as well as establishing and managing Greenfield manufacturing operations in Malaysia and sales and marketing activities across South East Asia. From 1992 to 1996, Mr. Dow was a Regional Manager within a multi-national electric equipment company, and from 1989 to 1992 worked as Production Manager in London for a multinational in the fast moving consumer goods industry. Mr. Dow completed his undergraduate degree at Swinburne University Australia in Manufacturing Engineering (Honors) and completed an MBA at Mt Eliza Business School (University of Melbourne).
Brendan Bilton - Chief Executive Officer, CFC Europe Limited
Mr. Bilton has combined his masters qualifications in materials science with business management skills to achieve significant success in senior positions in specialist manufacturing companies, including in the development of fuel cell technology. His strategic roles have included company general manager and manager of operations overseeing composite material R&D, improvements to manufacturing practices and profitability, and winning business contracts and partnerships. Mr Bilton is a member of the UK Parliamentary Group for Energy Studies, Deputy Chairman of Fuel Cells UK and Non Executive Director of the Low Carbon and Fuel Cells Knowledge Transfer Network.
Tony Sherburn - Chief Financial Officer
Mr Sherburn is a Chartered Accountant with a degree in economics and more than 20 years experience in finance and accounting with an emphasis on strategic planning. He has commercial experience in a number of industries including manufacturing and new technology. In addition, Mr Sherburn has been involved in the raising of venture capital equity within a high technology environment and has held senior finance positions in public companies.
Karl Föger - Chief Technology Officer
Dr Föger is one of the initiators of SOFC technology in Australia and has an international reputation in research and development in the energy and environmental fields. He holds a PhD in Physical Chemistry and is a Fellow of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute and an Adjunct Professor at RMIT University in Melbourne. Dr. Föger held various research and management roles at Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), culminating in his appointment as a Chief Research Scientist. He has been involved with the Company since its inception in 1992 and has published a number of papers on SOFC technology.
John Rajoo - Chief Operations Officer
Mr Rajoo has extensive senior operations and general management experience with multi national companies specialising in high technology products, including functional areas of engineering, strategy and sales. Mr. Rajoo has also been involved in commercialising new technology products and holds qualifications in engineering and business management. He holds qualifications in engineering and business management.
Andrew Neilson - Legal and Commercial Manager
Mr Neilson has worked as a solicitor with one of Australia's largest law firms, and as an in-house legal counsel and commercial manager for two NYSE-listed global IT firms. He has experience with commercialising technology, identifying and managing commercial risk and in structuring and negotiating a range of contracts with global partners, suppliers and customers. Mr Neilson is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and holds a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and a Bachelor of Commerce.
Peter McDonell - Human Resources Manager
Mr McDonell has significant human resources management experience including key roles with one of the world's leading global automotive and engineering companies. He has had extensive involvement in human resources strategy and policy, performance management, workplace relations and operational aspects of human resources.Mr McDonell has a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Laws and a Graduate Diploma of Industrial Relations and is a Member of the Australian Human Resources Institute.
Trent Rowe - Product Support and Marketing Manager
Mr Rowe specialises in facilitating industrial companies turn their technology into 'products' and then integrating these products into customer's applications. He has broad experience in the manufacturing and plastics processing industries, the Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning (HVAC) industry, and marketing industrial textile products.Mr Rowe has an MBA and is a member of the Australian Marketing Institute.