After nearly seven years at the helm of the Net Zero Technology Centre (NZTC), Colette Cohen OBE is standing down as CEO, with Myrtle Dawes announced as the Centre’s new CEO.

Created in 2017 with £180 million of UK and Scottish government funding as part of the Aberdeen City Region Deal, Cohen launched the NZTC with a mission to build and nurture a startup ecosystem around net zero tech.

Since then, the organisation has co-invested more than £253 million in partnership with industry in technologies – from effective well plugging and abandonment, asset integrity to autonomous robotics and renewable power systems. The NZTC has also screened over 1,810+ new technologies, progressed 175 field trials, and helped over 33 technologies to commercialise.

Incoming CEO Myrtle Dawes has been with the organisation since 2019, serving as Solution Centre Director

NZTC Chairman, Martin Gilbert said: “In an industry that is traditionally slow to change and considerably risk averse when it comes to adopting new technology, Colette had a monumental task on her hands to shape an offering from the Net Zero Technology Centre that industry would buy-in to and advocate.

“A champion for diversity and inclusion, Colette is a formidable leader ensuring the Centre remained relevant as the global focus increased on cutting emissions and low carbon technology. She continued to evolve the businesses strategy and position it for growth and is handing over the reins at an exciting time for the centre. On behalf of the board, I thank her for her drive and commitment.”

Colette Cohen added: “I have relished every minute of my nearly seven years at NZTC and am tremendously proud of the impact the Centre has made, and continues to make, on the technology landscape in the North East of Scotland and throughout the UK.

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“I have built a team focused on delivery and we’ve turned our technology vision into reality, propelling technologies from development to commercialisation and making a demonstrable impact in the offshore energy sector. It’s time for me to step back, enjoy some downtime with my family and focus on my work with other Boards, accelerating the energy transition and building the next generation of female leaders.

“The energy transition and technology are two constantly moving targets and there is still so much untapped opportunity, this requires a strong proven leader and I am delighted to be handing the reins to Myrtle who will take the Centre to its next level of success”.

Myrtle Dawes, CEO (designate), said: “I am honoured to be appointed CEO at such a pivotal time for both the energy industry and NZTC, and excited to take the Centre forward and achieve even more.”