22 – 25 March, London
The SMMT Electrified International Week took place in the lead up to the main SMMT Electrified event. It came at a crucial time with road transport decarbonisation at the heart of the UK government’s net zero ambitions, and with the forthcoming UK-hosted COP26 Climate Change Summit in 2021.
SMMT Electrified International Week consistedof a range of virtual events focusing on overseas markets and the opportunities in electrification.
Listen back
Monday 22 March
Mexico – EV supply chain and opportunities
Tuesday 23 March
Israel – Israel EV Innovate
USA – Market update, opportunities and tips for UK automotive technology companies
Wednesday 24 March
Thailand – EV market, opportunities and case studies
Germany – E-Mobility market update and opportunities
Central and Eastern Europe – EV update and opportunities
Thursday 25 March
SMMT Electrified 2021
Speakers announced
Central and Eastern Europe
Oto Pisoň, Project Manager, Board of Directors’ Advisory for InoBat Auto
Oto works at the Board of Directors’ Advisory and supports his colleagues in terms of strategic management, analytical work, and PR activities. He has more than 6 years of experience from SARIO, the Slovak governmental investment promotion agency, where he worked as the deputy head of one of its key departments. During his time there, together with his colleagues, he has been able to attract several multi-million investments to Slovakia and help create 4,500 new jobs. Oto is also hosting our year-round educational project BATTERYacademy, promoting the battery industry and e-mobility.
Zoltán Vígh, Executive Director for JÁK Hungarian E-Mobility Cluster
The JÁK Cluster was founded in 2014 as a national cooperation platform for stakeholders (government, business, academia and NGOs) to develop the clean energy and mobility ecosystem in Hungary, including the low-emission automotive sector. The organisation has been instrumental in shaping legislation on market models, incentives and subsidies. It is a member organisation of the European Battery Alliance and the European Clean Hydrogen Alliance as well.
Mr Vígh, a specialist on European Affairs, is a member of the EU Government Support Group monitoring the alternative fuel infrastructure in Member States.
Aleksander Rajch, External Affairs Director for PSPA
Lawyer, alumnus of the Faculty of Law at the Warsaw University. Seasoned professional in corporate communication and public affairs. He gained his experience on the energy, financial and FMCG markets. Aleksander manages a public relations agency along with a number of projects developing new technologies for sustainable transport.
He is an innovation and newtech enthusiast. As an avid sailor and skier, he authentically believes in building dynamics and motion without CO2 emission. In PSPA Aleksander is an international relations’, e-mobility market development and autonomous technologies expert, responsible for stakeholder and external affairs.
Peter Mikula, Consultant / Investment Projects Department for SARIO
During his career at SARIO Peter has supported dozens of companies interested in setting up or expanding a facility in Slovakia. He specializes in various kinds of projects, from the manufacturing facilities to the shared services, IT and R&D centres. His main focus is set on the automotive and e-mobility sector and the consultancy of investment incentives, site location and sourcing of components suppliers and providers of innovative solutions.
Michał Maćkowiak, VP of the Management Board for ARP E-VEHICLES Sp. z o.o.
A graduate of the University of Economics in Poznań (Poland) and MBA studies at Aalto University (Finland). He started his career in the investor relations and capital markets department in a company from WIG20 index on the Warsaw Stock Exchange (the largest companies in Poland). He is the Vice President of the Management Board of ARP E-VEHICLES company which created the first Polish electric bus with batteries entirely in the chassis. Working closely on a day-to-day basis with InnoEnergy. Expert in H2020 at EASME. He supports start-ups in Europe in the energy, electromobility and hydrogen sector. He actively participates in the activities of the European Battery Alliance under the wings of the European Commission. Involved in the venture capital market, especially in shaping the VC market in Poland.
China
Chenghao Deng, Deputy General Manager of Powertrain Development Department, Chongqing Changan New Energy Automobile Science and Technology Co.,Ltd
Chenghao Deng was responsible for the development of the powertrain system of Changan Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) and Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEV). The main research area is the integration and matching of the powertrain system of new energy vehicles. Participating in 3 National projects, 3 provincial projects, in charge of 4 company projects.
He has worked in Chongqing Changan New Energy Automobile Science and Technology Co.,Ltd and took positions as Computational Analysis Engineer, Section Leader, Manager of business Unit and Deputy Manager of Powertrain Development Department since July 2011.
Leading the development of the powertrain system for the first DCT based P2 PHEV in China; being responsible for the development of the 2nd generation vehicle control platform, which makes Changan the first company to be verified with C Class function safety; in charge of the establishment of the multi-discipline/multi-target Digital Design System. Had built the FCEV Team; currently in charge of the development of the 3rd generation powertrain system of Changan New Energy which is globally competitive.
Dennis Hayter, Vice President, Business Development for Intelligent Energy
Dennis was involved in founding the UK zero emission fuel cell power technology and engineering company Intelligent Energy (IE) in 2001. He focused on commercialisation of its PEM fuel cell technologies for a range of markets including automotive, aviation, stationary and portable power.
IE is now owned by Meditor Energy, part of the Meditor Group. Dennis currently covers External Affairs for IE and on behalf of IE is Chair of the Hydrogen London group; Chair of the UK H2Mobility grouping; and a Director of the USA Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy Association. Separately, he is Chairman of the UK Centre of Excellence in Low Carbon and Fuel Cell Technologies – Cenex.
Dennis had previously been a Practice Leader at Booz Allen and Hamilton, a Principal with AT Kearney, and Partner with Roland Berger and Partners Strategy Consultants. He was previously Managing Director of MERC (Netherlands) and co-founder of shipping and logistics firm MDS Transmodal. He is an Economist by profession.
Hui Zhang, Vice President of NIO Europe
After studying in Beijing, Pforzheim and Utah, Hui Zhang initially worked at VOITH AG in purchasing and supply chain management in China and Germany. Subsequent working for KIEKERT AG as Vice General Manager and Lotus as General Manager, he was responsible for Business Group Industry and Healthcare China at Leoni AG as Member of the China Board. Due to his many years of intercultural experience, both in the German and Chinese markets, Hui Zhang has profound industry knowledge in the areas of company management, sales, purchasing and supply chain management. He now oversees NIO Europe with offices in Munich and Oxford, where, in addition to design, the focus areas are Supply Chain Management and Advanced Engineering.
Isbrand Ho, Senior Director of BYD Company Limited, General Manager of BYD Auto Industry Company Limited and Managing Director of BYD Europe B.V.
Mr. Isbrand Ho is a Senior Director of BYD Company Limited, General Manager of BYD Auto Industry Company Limited and Managing Director of BYD Europe B.V. (located in the NL).
Mr Ho, born in Hong Kong, was educated in the US at San Diego State University, California, and held a range of senior management positions in the electronics industry, including four years as a Director of Motorola. A theme of his career has been in delivering energy efficiency solutions to a range of industries.
He joined BYD to head up its Europe operation in January 2013 and now heads a multi-skilled and multinational team of people based in Rotterdam. His responsibilities include sales of pure electric vehicles in the bus, taxi and forklift market sectors at present.
Germany
Stefan Büchele, Director International Cooperation for e-mobil BW GmbH
Stefan Büchele studied political science as well as English language and literature at the University of Stuttgart. Since, 2011, he is part of the team at e-mobil BW GmbH. He is responsible for the field of international cooperation. His focus is on the exchange with international cluster networks in the field of sustainable transport technologies and the initiation of cross-border projects with partners from industry and academia.
Magdalena Klischat, Senior Manager Mobility for Department for International Trade Germany
Magdalena is based at the British Consulate General in Munich, Germany. Magdalena advises and supports UK mobility companies with their export activities in the German market.
Israel
Tzipi Hotovely, Ambassador of Israel to the Court of St James’s at the Embassy of Israel
Born December 1978 in Rehovot, Israel, HE Mrs Tzipi Hotovely is the 18th Ambassador of Israel to the Court of St James’s (2020-), and the first woman to be appointed to the position.
Ambassador Hotovely previously held a number of roles in the Israeli Government, including Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs (2015-20). She also served as a Member of Knesset (2009-20) Israel’s parliament, where she chaired the Women and Gender Equality Committee (2009-13).
Ambassador Hotovely is a qualified lawyer and a member of the Israel Bar Association, having graduated with distinction from Bar Ilan University with LLB and LLM degrees. Prior to her university education she completed her national service as an Emissary of the Jewish Agency in Atlanta, USA, and as a guide for Jewish educational programmes at Rav Kook House in Jerusalem.
Ambassador Hotovely is married to Or Alon who is also a qualified lawyer. Together, they have three daughters.
Daniel Zucker, Head of Local Market Implementation at the Fuel Choices and Smart Mobility Initiative at the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office
Daniel leads the Initiative efforts’ to promote the usage of both CNG and electric transportation and coordinates between the different ministries in this aspect. In addition, Daniel coordinates the progress of the Israeli National Plan for Smart Mobility. Daniel holds a M.Sc in environmental science from the Ben Gurion University of the Negev and a M.A in public policy from the Hebrew university of Jerusalem.
Ofer Fohrer, Minister, Head of Economic and Trade Mission to the UK
Ofer is the Head of the Israeli Economic and Trade Mission to the UK. Under this position Ofer promotes the Economic and Trade agenda of Israel to the UK, assist Israeli companies to find business partners in the UK market, and facilitate cooperation of Israeli and UK companies in joint industrial R&D projects. Ofer holds a M.A in Diplomacy and a B.A in Political Science from the Tel Aviv University
Mexico
Alejandra Rodríguez, Head of Trade and Investment (Automotive and Advanced Engineering) for Department for International Trade Mexico
Alejandra is Sector Lead for DIT Mexico, at the British Consulate in Monterrey, in charge of promoting the UK Automotive and Advanced Engineering Sectors. Alejandra has been working for DIT for over 15 years and has guided numerous UK companies, spanning many sectors to become successful businesses in the Mexican market. Alejandra Rodriguez has a Master’s Degree in Organisational Development, and a Master’s Degree in Psychology. DIT Team in Mexico is always pleased to assist UK suppliers in the Automotive/Adv. Eng. Sectors to find potential customers and partners in Mexico.
Rodolfo Cigala, Partner for Deloitte Mexico
Rodolfo is a Partner of M&A Transaction Services. Rodolfo has over 17 years’ experience on consulting projects, specially advising clients with strategic and operational matters across their M&A transaction lifecycle. He has participated in projects focus across industry sectors on pre-deal (market research and market entry analysis projects, post-deal, buy side integrations, sell side divestitures and private equity (synergies analysis) in different regions such as north America, Central America and South America focused on post merger integration process, M&A cycle advisory, major business integration, strategy an operational improvements and major transformations projects.
Ernesto Morales, Manager for Deloitte Mexico
Ernesto is a Manager in the M&A Strategy team within Deloitte Mexico’s Financial Advisory practice. He has developed an extensive and solid experience in growth strategies, business development, target screening, market research and investments. During these years he has worked in projects for private and public companies in LatAm and Europe. As part of his experience, Ernesto has been involved in diverse industries including manufacturing, transportation, technology, banking and others. Ernesto graduated from the Tecnológico de Monterrey in Financial Management and holds a Master’s Degree in Financial Markets and Investments at Skema Business School, he is also a CAIA member.
Thailand
Mr Mark Smithson, Deputy Director for Department for International Trade Thailand
Mark Smithson is the Deputy Director for the Department for International Trade at the British Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand. His chief objective is to support the increase of UK exports to Thailand and Thai inward investment to the UK. Prior to taking up his post in Thailand Mark was based in the USA where he headed the Consular Section at the British Consulate General in Miami 2013-17 before taking on the responsibility for driving Tech and creative industries related inward investment covering the SE of the USA out of the British Consulate-General in Atlanta. Before moving to the USA Mark led the Consular Team at the British Consulate General in Barcelona, Spain from 2007-2013.
Mr Chanin Khaochan, Deputy Secretary General for Board of Investment
Mr. Chanin Khaochan, Deputy Secretary General (Executive, Higher Level), began his career at the Office of the Board of Investment in 1986. He had held important positions as follows:
– Economic Advisor (Investment) in Tokyo, Japan between 1995 and 1997
– Director of Regional Investment and Economic Center 2 (Phitsanulok) between 2004 and 2005
– Director of BUILD Unit between 2005 and 2011. He initiated the Subcon Thailand Exhibition in 2006 to create market opportunities for Thai industrial part manufacturers, especially to raise SMEs to be on par with international level. Presently, the exhibition has been organized annually in May
– Counselor (Investment) at the Regional Investment and Economic Center in Frankfurt, Federal Republic of Germany between 2011 and 2014
– Director of the Regional Investment & Economic Center 4 (Chonburi) between 2015 and 2017
– Director of Information and Communications Technology Center between 2017 and 2019
– Investment Advisor (Plan and Policy Analyst) between 2019 and 2020
Mr. Chanin Khaochan earned his Bachelor of Engineering from Chulalongkorn University and a certificate of completion for advanced training program from the National Defense College, Thailand (NDC60). In 2000, he was assigned as a Consultant on foreign investment influence in the Bangladesh Board of Investment.
Mr Krisda Utamote, President for Electric Vehicles Association of Thailand
Mr. Krisda Utamote is President of the Electric Vehicle Association of Thailand (EVAT). The Electric Vehicle Association of Thailand is a non-profit association with the objectives to promote and support sharing of academic knowledge in terms of electric vehicle technologies and innovations. EVAT also provides consultation regarding requirements and operations for development of electric vehicle technologies in Thailand. EVAT’s members represent private sector, educational institutes, state enterprises and general public, with over 246 members. EVAT schedules to hold its meetings monthly and establishes various committees to support and promote the Thai electric vehicle industry to ensure a steady and sustainable growth.
Michael Davies, Senior ASEAN Technical Authority & Business Development Manager for Ricardo
– ASEAN Technical Authority and Business development Manager
– Over 25yrs experience in the Automotive industry
– Shanghai – Department Manager and technical project leadership – Design / Analysis / Simulation team leadership
– Malaysia / Thailand – Extensive client & project experience
– 16yrs Experience in Mechanical Design – Propulsion system design and development
Chris Black, Global Sales Director of Automotive Business Development for TR Fastenings Ltd
Currently Global Sales Director for Automotive Business Development. Worked for TR Fastenings for 14 years expanding and increasing our Global Automotive Business into the Tier 1 and Tier 2 Supply Chain Customers within the UK/Europe, Asia and the USA. This has resulted in to TR Fastenings Expansion into Countries like Thailand, Japan , Spain and Slovakia in recent years . I have over 30 years’ experience working within the Automotive Industry and the Fastener Industry. My main objective is to work with our Global teams of Business Development Managers to develop new business from existing and new Automotive customers.
USA
Rebecca Saletta, Vice Consul, Head of Automotive – West Coast for Department for International Trade USA
Rebecca Saletta is Vice Consul and West Coast Automotive Lead for the UK’s Dept. for International Trade (DIT). She is based out of the British Consulate-General in Los Angeles and supports the trade and investment objectives of automotive and mobility companies across the UK, California, Arizona and the wider US West Coast. Southern California native, Rebecca has been covering automotive for DIT in LA for the past four years and joined the team following her work in Italy and BA from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
Timothy Carothers, Trade & Investment Manager for Department for International Trade USA
Timothy is a Trade & Investment Manager for the Advanced Engineering & Manufacturing (AEM) team, based out of the British Consulate-General Los Angeles. He assists on developing and delivering the UK’s investment and trade promotion strategy for the Western United States in the automotive industry, with a primary focus on autonomous and low carbon propulsion technologies.
Prior to joining DIT, Timothy worked as a representative for a member of the California Legislature. He is an alumni of Liberty University in Virginia and holds a Master of International Relations from the Australian National University in Canberra.
