Leadership Team
Our strong senior leadership team has diverse skills and experiences harmoniously brought together to steer the company toward growth. They are guiding us in the right direction to achieve our purpose of reducing harmful emissions by participating in the development of the hydrogen economy.
Richard Scott
Chief Executive Officer
Richard’s extensive 30-year experience in the energy sector brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to CPH2. His proficiency in commercial management, business, and market development, particularly in the global green fuels market, is underscored by his successful track record of scaling projects to commercial viability.
Richard has served in several industry advisory roles, including Non-Executive Director of the UK Business Council for Sustainable Development, a member of the Energy Management Association, Commissioner of the City of Sheffield Green Commission, and a member of the Energy Efficiency Partnership. He holds postgraduate degrees in Management and a Master of Business Administration from Sheffield Hallam University.
As CCO, Richard will be instrumental in accelerating CPH2’s Commerciality Phase. His responsibilities will include overseeing licensee activation, building the contracted order book, and refining the commercial pipeline.
James Hobson
Chief Financial Officer
James brings expertise from across the energy sector through his work with private and AIM-listed companies. A Fellow of Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand, James has a proven track record of adding value by solving critical issues and his key strength is a continuous improvement mindset, leading investor relations, and managing AIM responsibilities.
James has advised Boards on funding, financial, strategic, investor relations, corporate governance, and operational matters and directed finance teams, multiple acquisitions and divestments, due diligence and appraisals, and multiple fundraising efforts.
Natalie Fortescue
Independent non-executive Chair
A chartered accountant and experienced capital markets professional, Natalie has over 20-years experience advising companies on corporate finance transactions, fundraising, strategy, debt refinancing and restructurings, investor relations, and the impact of corporate transactions on stakeholders.
Natalie has previously worked for Premier Oil plc in various corporate finance roles, Genel Energy plc as Head of Investor Relations, as a Corporate Broker for Oriel Securities (now Stifel Europe) and as an Investment Banker for Investec. Natalie is currently a Non-Executive Director at Serinus Energy plc, Director at Futh Consulting Limited and Trustee of GB Wheelchair Rugby Limited.
Rick Smith
Independent Non-Executive Director
Rick is a professional accountant with a background in manufacturing. As a consultant with Private Equity Houses, Rick has advised on their M&A activity and business consolidation across Europe and North Africa.
A turnaround lead for numerous acquisitions/divestments and commercial development across US, Europe, and Asia manufacturing facilities. Rick is an experienced managing director who has worked for various companies, including Chesapeake Ltd, as CFO and Multi Packaging Solutions (MPS) as Executive Vice President and member of the Operating Board responsible for the Asian Operations, Corporate Development, and the Innovation Group. Rick is also a Director at Shireoaks Property Ltd, RBS Enterprises (Southwell) Ltd, Southwell Property Services Ltd and Poplars Advisory Limited.
Richard Scott
Chief Executive Officer
Richard’s extensive 30-year experience in the energy sector brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to CPH2. His proficiency in commercial management, business, and market development, particularly in the global green fuels market, is underscored by his successful track record of scaling projects to commercial viability.
Richard has served in several industry advisory roles, including Non-Executive Director of the UK Business Council for Sustainable Development, a member of the Energy Management Association, Commissioner of the City of Sheffield Green Commission, and a member of the Energy Efficiency Partnership. He holds postgraduate degrees in Management and a Master of Business Administration from Sheffield Hallam University.
As CCO, Richard will be instrumental in accelerating CPH2’s Commerciality Phase. His responsibilities will include overseeing licensee activation, building the contracted order book, and refining the commercial pipeline.
James Hobson
Chief Financial Officer
James brings expertise from across the energy sector through his work with private and AIM-listed companies. A Fellow of Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand, James has a proven track record of adding value by solving critical issues and his key strength is a continuous improvement mindset, leading investor relations, and managing AIM responsibilities.
James has advised Boards on funding, financial, strategic, investor relations, corporate governance, and operational matters and directed finance teams, multiple acquisitions and divestments, due diligence and appraisals, and multiple fundraising efforts.
Joe Scott
Managing Director, CPH2 Ireland
Joe is a qualified production engineer who specialises in R&D of advanced machining technology. He has significant experience and knowledge in product development and design.
Joe established a tool and mould-making company in Ireland in 1975, where he developed the first CAD/CAM-based paperless tool-making processes. He then went on to set up an injection moulding company in 1997.
Paul Cassidy
Chief Technical Officer
Appointed as Chief Technical Officer (CTO) in March 2023, Paul has substantial engineering and technology knowledge and significant experience in the methanol industry and its linked application in hydrogen-based technologies.
Paul has a proven track record of scaling up technologies from the laboratory to implementation at a commercial scale. Paul has a Master’s in Engineering from the University of Cambridge. He has won multiple awards: the 2016 Institution of Chemical Engineers Global Awards, Outstanding Achievement Award, Industry Project Award for Gas Heated Reforming Development and Commercialization, and the 2014 Institution of Chemical Engineers Sustainable Technology Award. Chief Technology Officer Paul focuses on getting the MFE220 into production for CPH2 and license holders.
Asif Hussain
Chief Operations Director
Appointed as Process Engineering Manager in August 2023, Asif is an internationally experienced engineer with a strong background in chemical synthesis, R&D, product development and plant commissioning. His global exposure has honed his adaptability and problem-solving skills. He holds a First-Class Master’s in Chemical Engineering from the University of Leeds.
His exceptional leadership and contributions were instrumental in his promotion in April 2025 to Process, Electrical, and Commissioning Engineering Manager. In this position, Asif played a pivotal role in leading the successful commissioning of the MFE110, resulting in the Factory Acceptance Test in September 2024, followed by the Site Acceptance Test of the MFE110 in May 2025.
Before joining CPH2, Asif worked at Lenzing Group, where he led and supported chemical plant designs for clients such as BASF and Novartis, and oversaw commissioning projects for Siemens, ABB, and Emerson Process Systems.
The Clean Power Hydrogen Group Ltd board comprises the Senior Leadership Team and Non-Executive Directors.