Licella has made changes to strengthen and expand its senior leadership team and board, as it focuses on the global commercialisation of its pioneering catalytic hydrothermal reactor (Cat-HTR) advanced recycling technology.
After 16 years as CEO of Licella, Dr Len Humphries, who is also company co-founder and co-inventor of the Cat-HTR platform, will move to the role of executive chairman.
Alongside his new role, Humphreys will drive pre-commercial technology innovation for Licella, including advanced biofuels and the development of high-value bio-material product applications.
Alan Nicholl, who is currently managing director of Licella, will assume the role of CEO, effective from 1 September 2023.
Nicholl joined Licella in April 2022 and recently vacated his position of president and CEO of Arbios Biotech, Licella’s joint venture with Canfor, one of the world’s largest forestry producers.
In welcoming the changes, Humphreys said it marked a watershed moment for the company.
“We have seen the interest in our Cat-HTR platform surge in the last 18 months, and this reflects the significant technological advances Licella has made,” Humphreys explained.
“I’m delighted to step into the role of executive chairman at a time when both the Arbios plant in Canada and Mura plant in the UK are approaching construction completion, while welcoming Alan to take the lead on the commercial strategy.
“Alan and I will continue to work together closely to capitalise on this extraordinary opportunity for Licella.”
According to Nicholl, the new structure will allow Licella to fully realise the immense market opportunities for its technology.
“As the world drives towards net-zero carbon, we continue to be excited about the unprecedented opportunity for our proprietary Cat-HTR platform to deliver global impact, particularly for bio-based product applications producing such upgraded products as sustainable aviation fuel.”
The company continues to progress planning for the first of what it expects will be several advanced recycling plants in the ANZ at Altona, Victoria.
Licella has also developed a high-quality, stable biocrude from post-consumer biomass, which lends itself via upgrading to high-value and sought-after renewable transportation fuel and bio-chemical applications.
Further strengthening the executive team, the company has also appointed Victoria Sherwood into the newly created role of executive general manager for Asia and Australasia.
Sherwood brings a wealth of experience in senior leadership roles across engineering and manufacturing based companies, most recently at iQ Renew and Boral, that will be essential for Licella to commercialise its Cat-HTR platform for plastic and biomass across this key region.
Sherwood’s appointment follows the appointment of Richard Pillinger to the role of chief financial officer (CFO) earlier this year.
Pillinger is a highly experienced finance professional and has held CFO positions within Australian and US publicly listed companies over the past 15 years.
In terms of board changes, Licella has appointed Don DeFosset to its board as a non-executive director.
DeFosset is a seasoned executive who also currently serves on the executive board of ATL/MidOcean Partners, a New York-based private equity firm focused on the aviation and transportation industries, as well as ITT and Terex, both publicly traded companies.
The company has acknowledged the continued and valuable contribution of outgoing chairman, Larry Ciccarelli, who joined Licella in 2010.
Ciccarelli has played a pivotal role over the past 13 years in Licella’s growth journey, and the company extends its gratitude for his service.
