Graham Hillier has a Degree in Metallurgy and a PhD from the University
of Cambridge. He also had an MBA and went through the University of Oxford
Business Economics Programme. He is a Chartered Engineer and Fellow of the
Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining and is also a visiting Professor
in the Department of Construction and Property Management at the University
of Salford.
He has had a wide-ranging commercial business background including experience
in recycling operations, new product development, business development and
strategic planning and forecasting. He has worked in the aerospace,
petrochemicals, plastics, fertilizers, materials and construction industries.
Graham started his current role in Fuel Cell Application development in late
2004. Prior to this he was Director of Strategy and Planning for ICI’s
Petrochemicals, Plastics and Fertilizers Business before spending seven years
working for Corus plc where he was Construction Director. He was responsible
for the company’s strategy for its sales to the construction market.
He first became interested in sustainability and ‘new energy’ while chairing
a global project on sustainable residential building for the International Iron
and Steel Institute. The project assessed approaches to sustainability and
sustainable construction across Europe, N America, South America, the Far East,
India and Australia. This worked convinced Graham that it was possible to
balance the environmental and social impact of the built environment while
creating economic value. A huge range of opportunities flows from taking a
balanced approach to development. Wastes can be significantly reduced and
often used as feedstocks for other activities. This innovative approach can
considerably reduce emissions and reduce the pressure on dwindling natural resources.
As a result of this work he decided to change career to help the adoption of
these new technologies. As Director of Fuel Cell Applications at the CPI
Graham sees his role as helping to get this efficient low carbon technology
applied in everyday applications. He does this by applying his broad range
of business skills and experience to help this new industry create value for
the UK economy, but also contribute to security of energy supply and the
reduction of climate changing greenhouse gas emissions.
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Graham Hillier was on the panel at The
Great Energy Debate in March 2006 at Discovery Museum in Newcastle upon Tyne