OUR EXECUTIVE TEAM

Sean Gilgunn

Managing Director

Sean Gilgunn joined UKBIC as Managing Director in October 2023.

He brings an impressive background in strategic and operational leadership including over 20 years of international commercial and management experience in the B2B battery systems, automotive and chemical sectors.

Sean joined UKBIC from Johnson Matthey where he worked across a variety of business areas, most recently as Global Procurement Director, Strategy & Operations.

Prior to this, he was based in Poland as General Manager and President of the Board of Directors for JM Battery Systems, a leading manufacturer of batteries across a wide range of applications. He has also spent a number of years leading global business units and key accounts focusing on critical markets including periods focused on South Korea, China and South East Asia more broadly.



As Managing Director of UKBIC, Sean is responsible for leadership of the UKBIC business and working closely with key stakeholders to ensure that UKBIC plays a valuable role for industry within the UK ecosystem.

Naseer Ahmed

Commercial Director

Naseer Ahmed, who became Commercial Director in May 2023, has responsibility for business development, sales, and customer projects, and is also part of UKBIC’s Executive Team.

Naseer, who joined UKBIC as Business Development Manager in June 2021, has previously worked in research, development and manufacturing organisations for a range of telecommunications, space and battery companies, including Ericsson, Fujitsu, Airbus Defence and Space and ABSL. 

Richard LeCain

Chief Technology Officer

Richard joined as Chief Technology Officer in August 2024, responsible for technical process design, product development and R&D activities across the business.



Richard has more than 20 years of experience working in the battery industry, having previously held technical and leadership positions at A123 Systems and Britishvolt, where he was Director of Cell and Process Engineering.

Richard began his career in batteries at Lithium Iron Phosphate pioneer (LFP) A123 Systems in the US as a process engineer where he developed LFP cells in cylindrical and pouch formats for energy storage applications such as power tools, medical devices and automotives, eventually becoming the head of cell design for low voltage applications.

As Director of Cell and Process Engineering at Britishvolt, Richard and his team worked closely with UKBIC and WMG, at the University of Warwick, to quickly develop an energy dense 21700 cell for customer evaluations.

Most recently, he was Director of Cell Development at US-based silicon anode company, GDI, where he worked on integrating 100% silicon anodes into lithium-ion cells for high energy density and fast charging applications. Richard has worked in battery plants across the world transferring processes and designs from the lab into manufacturing

Marie Lowe

Financial Director and Company Secretary

Marie Lowe first joined UKBIC as Financial Controller in March 2023, before becoming Finance Director and Company Secretary in April 2024.

She brings a wealth of experience to the organisation, having held senior financial positions in engineering, automotive, and medical technology companies in the UK and North America.

Marie is responsible for developing, implementing and overseeing UKBIC’s financial reporting and is part of the company’s executive team and board. She leads the company’s financial operations and strategy and plays a key role in supporting the centre's ambitious goals to accelerating the UK's development of battery technology and manufacturing.

Damian Pearce

HR Director

Damian Pearce is HR Director for UKBIC responsible for all aspects of people management and development at UKBIC, as well as for the functions of IT, Facilities and Health & Safety, and for UKBIC’s externally focused training and skills development activities.

Damian brings 30 years’ HR experience in varied industry sectors including telecommunications, automotive and aerospace. Prior to joining UKBIC, Damian was Vice President of Human Resource and Organisational Development at Meggitt Aircraft Braking Systems.

John Poli

Manufacturing Operations Director

John Poli is Manufacturing Operations Director of the facility’s manufacturing capability.

Before joining UKBIC, John ran his own engineering consultancy, specialising in manufacturing engineering. Prior to that he was Jaguar Land Rover’s Powertrain Manufacturing Engineering Director, responsible for global engine, electric drive, and battery manufacturing.

John had a 30-year career at JLR, most recently leading the team that created production systems and advanced technologies to enable electric propulsion.

Jonathan Smith

External Affairs Director

Jonathan is responsible for government relations, stakeholder management, communications, public relations, social media, website, marketing and events, and is also part of UKBIC’s Executive Team.

Jonathan previously headed up the press teams for FTSE100 Severn Trent Water, E.ON UK and Alstom. During a 20 year career, he has led or worked on initiatives, including public relations campaigns, internal communications, investor relations, mergers and acquisitions, joint venture communications, and events.

Highlights include leading communications around half and full year reporting to the City, creating programmes and campaigns to support the rollout of trams and tramlines in Nottingham, leading the issues response during plans to build a new power station in Kent, and being part of a joint venture communications team which helped to build what was then, the world's largest offshore wind farm (the London Array).