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Meet the Team

The ELIRE team operates across multiple continents, including the UK, UAE, Europe, Canada, Australia, and South-East Asia.  A skilled and dedicated team forms the backbone of our venture and major projects.

 

Our current team, comprised of domain experts with extensive experience in aero engineering, design, architecture, and joined by experts in our focused verticals of clean power propulsion, infrastructure & terminals, ports, regional air mobility and defence, has been collaborating for years to elevate our venture to its current stature.

 

As well as the aviation technical competencies, the team’s broad commercial strength has positioned ELIRE to forge strong global partnerships and drive rapid growth.

As a company uniquely placed at the intersection of infrastructure, transport and clean energy, we design & engineer new solutions and systems for maritime infrastructure, playing a key role in the global key transitions and shifts."

LUKE JENKINSON

Group CEO

United Kingdom / Norway / Australia

LUKE JENKINSON

Founder and Group CEO of ELIRE, Luke is a serial entrepreneur who has launched, scaled and exited multiple global companies, applying innovative, commercially driven solutions to complex real-world challenges.

FADI KAHWAJI

VP Aviation

Spain / Germany

FADI KAHWAJI

Fadi brings a background in aerospace engineering and mechatronics to his role as VP Aviation. With 18 years' experience at Airbus and Rolls-Royce, he leads global supplier management and workforce planning.

DAVID ELLIS

VP Aviation

United Kingdom

DAVID ELLIS

Over 30 years in global aviation shape David's work as VP Aviation, helping airlines, airports, OEMs and MRO organisations drive growth through strategic partnerships and customer-focused commercial strategies.

TITUS JOHNSON

VP Commercial

United Kingdom

TITUS JOHNSON

Broad Air Transport experience, including VP Commercial roles at Condor, Thomas Cook and Air Berlin, shapes Titus's work as VP Commercial. He holds an MSc in Air Transport Management from City University London.

AIDEN SHAW

VP Energy to Power

United Kingdom

AIDEN SHAW

As VP Energy to Power and Principal Electrical Engineer, Aiden has 20 years designing high-consequence systems for defence and maritime. He leads technical integration for ELIRE's hydrogen-fuelled floating microgrids and Powerhub platforms.

STEWART MACINTOSH

Group CFO

United Kingdom

STEWART MACINTOSH

A Chartered Accountant with over 20 years across the full infrastructure finance lifecycle, Stewart is Group CFO, having held senior investment roles at Invesis deploying capital into infrastructure and energy transition.

ANDY KING

VP Naval Architecture

United Kingdom / Spain

ANDY KING

Over 40 years of international design experience across naval, commercial marine, cruise and superyacht sectors sits behind Andy, VP Naval Architecture and a Maritime UK Industry Ambassador advising on net-zero retrofits.

CHIRADIP DATTA

VP Safety & Process Engineering

South Africa

CHIRADIP DATTA

A Chemical Engineer with 19 years leading process safety across hydrogen, ammonia and petrochemical sectors, Chiradip is VP Safety & Process Engineering, having worked on NEOM, Aramco and Jubail SMR projects. CCPS certified.

CHRIS EDWARDS-WEBB

VP Maritime Marketing

United Kingdom

CHRIS EDWARDS-WEBB

A marketing and commercial growth leader with more than two decades of experience building marketing functions across global B2B, energy and technology-led markets. Chris is VP of Maritime Marketing, with expertise spanning strategy, positioning and demand generation across multiple regions, including EU, USA and GCC.

DAVID PFEIL

VP Luxury Sales & Marketing

United Arab Emirates / Monaco

DAVID PFEIL

David is VP Luxury Marketing, a strategist with over 25 years helping global brands grow through customer-centric strategy and digital marketing. He holds an International MBA in Luxury Marketing from Monaco.

DMYTRO YEVDOKYMOV

Group Web Architect

United Kingdom

DMYTRO YEVDOKYMOV

Dmytro is a digital transformation, engineering and AI adoption leader with over 12 years of experience. He has led high-impact projects for Dubai Holding, Porsche, PepsiCo, CMA CGM, McDonald's and Sephora.

IAIN HEPPELWHITE

VP Construction

United Kingdom

IAIN HEPPELWHITE

A naval architecture professional and internationally experienced senior manager, Iain has delivered over 20 vessels across shipping and offshore energy as VP Construction, with expertise in HSE and quality assurance.

LUKE RODGERS

Procurement VP

United Kingdom

LUKE RODGERS

Over 20 years managing supply chains across oil & gas, defence, nuclear and construction inform Luke's role as Procurement VP, a Chartered Procurement Professional behind projects including Hinkley Point C.

MARIO FUENTES

Group 3D Visual Director

Spain

MARIO FUENTES

An IF Gold award-winning 3D parametric modeller and transportation designer, Mario is Group 3D Visual Director, specialising in high-quality A-class surface modelling for Ferrari, Volvo and Seat-Cupra.

MICHELLE COLLIE

VP Procurement

United Kingdom

MICHELLE COLLIE

As VP Procurement, Michelle brings over 20 years delivering procurement transformation and sourcing excellence across energy, manufacturing and technology, building resilient, high-performing global teams.

RAJEEV VERMA

Senior Engineer

United Arab Emirates

RAJEEV VERMA

A technology leader with over two decades in Aerospace and Defence innovation, Rajeev is Senior Engineer and Senior Chief Engineer at Leonardo Defence, having held key roles at Boeing, Rolls-Royce and BAE Systems.

RICHARD DA GAMA

VP Defence Solutions

United Kingdom

RICHARD DA GAMA

NATO and multinational operations experience underpins Richard's role as VP Defence Solutions, including Head of Strategy and Plans for British Forces Cyprus. A Chartered Manager aligning capabilities with NATO priorities.

SARAH HILDERSLEY

VP Commercial

United Kingdom

SARAH HILDERSLEY

Drawing on 20+ years across Mexico, Chile, Jordan and Iraq, Sarah is an international business specialist running programmes across the Middle East, Asia and Latin America. She maintains exceptional connections and has regularly secured projects valued over £100m.

SHAREENA ALI

Group VP of PR & Communication

United Arab Emirates / United Kingdom

SHAREENA ALI

With over 25 years in international strategy and corporate communications, Shareena is Group VP of PR & Communications, a Chartered Marketer who has advised governments, Shell, ARAMCO and Saudi PIF.

YAIZA MACIA

VP of 3D Visual

Spain

YAIZA MACIA

A versatile technical artist specialising in Unreal Engine, Yaiza is VP of 3D Visual. Her portfolio includes the multimillion-dollar NEOM project and Netflix virtual productions, alongside Spanish broadcast awards.

LAWRENCE IDONIJE

VP Aviation

United Kingdom

LAWRENCE IDONIJE

Bringing over 20 years across military aviation, defence and aerospace, Lawrence is VP Aviation. He supports aviation strategy, commercial partnerships and funding activity, engaging regulators and international partners.

GERRY EGAN

VP Engineering

Canada

GERRY EGAN

As VP Engineering, Gerry has spent over 20 years solving complex challenges across airline, helicopter, aerospace and MRO industries. In 2019 he led delivery of the world's first all-electric powered commercial test flight.

STEVE BLIGHT

VP Aerospace

United Kingdom

STEVE BLIGHT

Twenty-five years across General, Business and Commercial Aviation shape Steve's role as VP Aerospace, working with operators, MROs and OEMs worldwide on growth, partnerships and digital transformation.

LINA EMILSON

Group COO

Sweden

LINA EMILSON

A Chemical Engineer with over 20 years in executive leadership, Lina is Group COO, having scaled sustainable start-ups at Northvolt, Britishvolt and Johnson Matthey Hydrogen Technologies, driving net-zero outcomes.

ALEJANDRO NIETO

VP Electrical Engineering

United Kingdom

ALEJANDRO NIETO

Leading strategy and delivery of complex electrical systems across ELIRE's infrastructure projects, Alejandro is VP Electrical Engineering. He brings experience from BP, GE and Centrica, driving innovation and sustainability.

BEN BLEZARD

VP Procurement

United Kingdom

BEN BLEZARD

Ben leads procurement as VP Procurement, a senior commercial leader specialising in advanced engineering ventures across battery technology, marine infrastructure and e-mobility.

CHRIS CARLISLE

VP of Energy to Power

United Kingdom

CHRIS CARLISLE

Formerly a sea-going marine engineer, Chris is VP of Energy to Power with expertise in naval architecture, systems engineering and project management. He led propulsion development at Rolls-Royce Nordics and major power projects.

CHRISTIAN JAKUSCONEK

VP Smart City Architecture

Italy

CHRISTIAN JAKUSCONEK

A registered architect with over two decades' experience at award-winning practices in London and Amsterdam, Christian is VP Smart City Architecture. He has taught Sustainable Design and researches modular construction.

DEMI DIGHTON

VP Project Management

United Kingdom / Thailand

DEMI DIGHTON

Demi is a Project Manager with over eight years of experience leading multi-million-pound programs for Fortune 500 brands. Specialising in delivering complex, large-scale projects at the intersection of technical rigor and creative strategy.

FATEMEH MOTTAGHIAN

Senior BIM Architect

FATEMEH MOTTAGHIAN

Over 12 years in design, project coordination and construction management sit behind Fatemeh's role as Senior BIM Architect. She has established BIM services and led teams collaborating with WSP UK.

KARIMA KARAGUSSOVA

Group Grants Manager

United Kingdom

KARIMA KARAGUSSOVA

As Group Grants Manager, Karima draws on a strong scientific background in research and development. She has secured partnerships and led grants submissions across biotech, healthcare and R&D ecosystems.

MANA ASSOUDEH

Senior Designer

United Kingdom

MANA ASSOUDEH

An award-winning graphic designer with over 10 years' international experience, Mana is a Senior Designer across editorial, branding, print and digital work, leading visual projects for top-tier media and events brands.

MATT ARNOLD

Group VP Defence Solutions

United Kingdom

MATT ARNOLD

Twenty years delivering complex, high-value programmes across Aerospace and Defence inform Matt's role as Group VP Military Solutions, including senior roles at Boeing and MBDA. A former British Army officer.

PAUL MACKENZIE

VP Luxury Solutions

United Kingdom

PAUL MACKENZIE

Over 30 years across luxury automotive and marine sectors shape Paul's role as VP Super Yacht Projects, including the McLaren P1 and Princess Yachts X95, where he served as CTO and COO.

RICCARDO TONELLI

Commercial Advisor

United Kingdom

RICCARDO TONELLI

As Commercial Advisor, Riccardo brings senior international executive experience spanning supply chain, manufacturing and ports & ferries, with roles at DP World, P&O, Peel Ports and Maersk.

SALVATORE MAZZAMAURO

VP Finance & Investment

Italy

SALVATORE MAZZAMAURO

Salvatore is an infrastructure investment professional with over a decade across infrastructure, private equity and energy transition. He leads CDP Equity's infrastructure funds platform, managing c.€1.2bn, building on experience at BlackRock.

SCOTT FORSYTH

VP Defence Solutions

United Kingdom

SCOTT FORSYTH

A Chartered Engineer with over 14 years across military, government and consultancy sectors, Scott is VP Defence Solutions, having led infrastructure portfolios exceeding £300 million across the UK and internationally.

TAMER HASHISH

VP Port Solutions

Denmark

TAMER HASHISH

As VP Port Solutions, Tamer is a maritime decarbonisation leader converting clean-power plans into permitted, operating port assets. His focus spans shore power, floating power hubs and scaling pilot commercial structures.

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