Oxford University spin-out OXCCU has named former BP Ventures managing director Nacho Gimenez as its chief operating officer.
Gimenez has extensive experience as a leader in the energy sector covering commercial strategy, investment and technology innovation.
In 2017, he joined BP Ventures and was later promoted to managing director, leading investments that accelerated the decarbonisation of the energy sector. Most recently, he served as head of cleantech for a Ukrainian firm DTEK.
OXCCU is developing novel catalysts and reactor designs to convert waste carbon into liquid hydrocarbons for use as fuels and chemicals, such as sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
Gimenez joins OXCCU as the company builds its second demonstration plant, OX2, at London Oxford Airport and accelerates its growth following a £18m Series A round in 2023 and multiple government grants this year.
With further fundraising underway, he will lead OXCCU’s operations to ensure the team delivers its milestones and gets its one-step process for converting CO2 into long chain hydrocarbons to commercial scale.
“I am excited to be joining OXCCU at this key stage in its journey,” says Gimenez. “The efficiency of its technology has the potential to make low-carbon fuels more competitive, and I look forward to working with the team to help bring it to market.”
Last month on the UKTN Podcast, OXCCU’s founder Dr Jane Jin discussed the complexity of developing SAF, the history of how it has been deployed in the past and just how impactful viable could be for the environment and aviation industry.
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