News >>> Adelan drives hydrogen technologies onto the levelling-up agenda

Posted 15 May 2021

Dr Michaela Kendall, one of Birmingham’s leading greentech entrepreneurs and a rare UK female tech leader, is flying the flag for the region’s engineering and technology industry with a new role promoting local businesses across the UK and the Commonwealth. Taking a seat for two years on the Birmingham Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce (GBCCC) Committee, Dr Kendall will form a key part in the Global Britain levelling up agenda by promoting clean tech businesses across the 53 nations of the Commonwealth.

Launched in the wake of the UK’s departure from the European Union, the new trade initiative is designed to help develop links with Commonwealth countries. The committee aims to build bilateral trade through its connections with overseas High Commissions and Consulates in the UK, as well as British diplomatic posts and Chambers of Commerce overseas.

“Now more than ever Birmingham can create new opportunities in the UK’s balance of trade with overseas partners through its technology and engineering leadership. I am immensely proud to be able to take part in not only promoting the West Midlands as a business destination but also supporting the Chamber of Commerce in pressing ahead with the UK levelling up agenda,” Dr Kendall said of the role.

Adelan’s seat on the Commonwealth committee follows a number of other recent high-profile appointments for the CEO of Adelan, the UK’s oldest fuel cell firm. Dr Kendall was named as one of 30 ‘innovation champions’ at the Mission Innovation (MI) initiative and was selected as one of 5 innovators to be interviewed by global energy ministers at the Clean Energy Ministerial meeting in Chile, a key pre-meeting to COP26. As the UK ‘hydrogen champion’ for the international programme, Dr Kendall is working to make clean energy widely affordable across a group of 24 nations and the EU. She is working closely with global colleagues on an international hydrogen strategy.

Dr Kendall stepped down last month from chairing the GBSLEP Low Carbon and Environmental Technology Steering Group which focused on the delivery of the local Low Carbon Action Plan. The objective of the industry-led Steering Group is to support clean energy and environmentally-friendly businesses in the West Midlands. She moves on to become a low carbon adviser to the West Midlands Combined Authority Strategic Economic Development Board, recommending urgent action on climate change through support for local low carbon business. Other high-profile roles held by Dr Kendall include a seat on the Department for Transport Low Carbon Transport Board, the Midlands Engine Hydrogen Technologies Strategy Industry Leadership Team, and the Midlands Engine Business Council.

“The Midlands can lead the world in clean energy and become a major manufacturer and exporter of low-carbon technologies, at the heart of Global Britain. Adelan’s microtubular solid oxide fuel cells are just one of a huge range of hydrogen technologies that can make a real difference with the right investment and promotion. Driving the conversation as a local Greentech champion for Birmingham allows me to deliver key insights on how to accelerate clean energy technologies to business leaders, policy makers and investors. That message can raise the profile of the region as a unique clean tech innovation ecosystem globally, and offers us a chance to make genuine progress on the national levelling up agenda,” concluded Dr Kendall.

To discover exactly how Adelan can support your clean transport needs or deploy their clean, quiet and reliable energy system for remote, mobile or any other applications, please contact Dr Kendall and the rest of the Adelan team at:

Adelan Ltd
15 Weekin Works, 112-116 Park Hill Road, Birmingham B17 9HD (UK)
info@adelan.co.uk
Tel: +44 (0)121 427 8033