Leadership
Graham Reid - CEO
Graham was appointed Chief Executive Officer on 18 January 2021. Under his leadership the company has undergone a significant transformation, streamlining operations, redefining its strategy, and aligning resources for growth. Graham has been instrumental in positioning the company to become an Independant Power Producer and one of the largest Battery Energy Storage System developers in the UK.
Prior to joining Ampeak Energy, Graham was CEO of RES Americas, and prior to that CEO of Arcadis Middle East, earlier in his career was the UK Managing Director and an Executive Board member of Hyder Consulting plc. Graham has a BSc (Hons) in Civil Engineering from the University of Westminster and is a Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers
Simon Hirst - CFO
Simon was appointed Chief Financial Officer on 25 April 2022 and has been instrumental in refinancing the company debt, managing cash, maintaining external stakeholder relationships and ensuring strong corporate governance. In the seven years prior to his appointment as Chief Financial Officer, Simon was primarily responsible for all financial and commercial aspects of the MeyGen project including senior creditor compliance.
Prior to joining Ampeak Energy in 2015, Simon gained international blue-chip corporate experience at several organisations including ExxonMobil, Pepsi Cola, Iron Mountain and international power generation company InterGen. Simon is a Chartered Management Accountant and holds a BSc (Hons) from Aston University.
David Taaffe - COO
David was appointed Chief Operating Officer in June 2022 having previously being responsible for project development and delivery since joining Ampeak Energy in 2011. David holds overall responsibility for Ampeak Energy’s project portfolio including the origination, strategic development and project financing of a significant portfolio of Battery Energy Storage System projects. In recent years David has been instrumental in securing over £20m of critical revenue for the business, the acquisition of a 120MW BESS project and establishing a 4.8GWh BESS portfolio.
Prior to joining Ampeak Energy David worked for several international consultancies and developers and successfully delivered large scale energy projects in Ireland, UK, and New Zealand. David has a BEng (Hons) in Electrical Engineering from University College Dublin.
Sean Parsons - DIRECTOR OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Sean Parsons is the Director of External Relations for Ampeak Energy. Sean is responsible for all external engagement, spanning media, stakeholders and investors. Before joining Ampeak Energy, Sean has worked with some of the largest energy companies in the world, including EDF, Siemens Gamesa, RWE and Statkraft. Most recently, Sean was Head of External Affairs for the GFG Alliance where he was a key member of the team that helped the Group establish itself as one of the largest industrial and sustainably focused companies in Europe.
Sean has been a key member of award-winning teams throughout his career, specifically his work in marketing campaigns, innovation projects and PR have received both internal and external recognition. He also completed his MBA in 2014.
Alex Free - Head of IT & Corporate Services
Alex Free is the Head of IT & Corporate Services at Ampeak Energy, bringing over 20 years of experience at the intersection of technology leadership and business operations. Since 2016, Alex has led the development of Ampeak’s IT infrastructure and corporate service frameworks, ensuring internal systems directly support the company’s commercial goals.
An AgilePM Certified Project Manager, Alex previously spent 10 years managing Europe’s largest Apple and Adobe training partner. With a strong background in both commerce and operations, he successfully leads multi-disciplinary teams to deliver complex IT projects and drive company-wide digital transformation.
Fraser Johnson - MeyGen Director of Operations & Assets
Fraser Johnson is the Director of Operations & Assets for the MeyGen tidal array, bringing extensive experience in marine operations, subsea systems, and strategic asset management. Since joining the company, Fraser has led the installation and operation of Ampeak’s flagship tidal project, aligning long-term marine strategy with the company’s growth objectives.
Fraser oversees the performance, reliability, and infrastructure development of the world’s largest tidal energy array. With a strong background in complex marine systems and multi-site operational leadership, he plays a key role in advancing Ampeak’s ambitions in commercial scale tidal energy.