12 March 2007
Helius Energy plc, which was established to install and operate biomass fired renewable electricity generation plants, is pleased to announce the appointment of Alan Lyons who will take the position of Finance Director with effect from 7th May 2007.
Mr Lyons (aged 35) joins from Siemens PGI Service Division where he held the position of Finance Director. In this position he was responsible for the development of a long term business strategy to support sales growth, profitability, and liquidity, as well as the negotiation of key project agreements and the establishment of a strategic sourcing function to generate significant cost savings. In particular he brings invaluable experience of financial management of projects within the energy sector. Mr Lyons replaces Elizabeth Payne who, having brought the Company to the stage of listing on the London Stock Exchange's AIM, is stepping down from the role of Finance Director. Pursuant to AIM Rule 17 Schedule Two paragraph (g) the following is disclosed in respect of Mr Lyons:
Current Directorships and Appointments:
Demag Delaval Industrial Turbomachinery PTE, Singapore Past Directorships and Appointments:
Siemens Industrial Turbomachinery Ltd
Demag Delaval Industrial TurboMachinery FZCO, Dubai
Alstom Desoil Services PJSC
There are no other disclosures required to be made in accordance with AIM Rule 17 Schedule Two paragraph (g). Mr Lyons will be supported by Claire Trenaman as Senior Project Finance Advisor. Ms Trenaman has six years of corporate banking experience at Director level with Barclays Bank plc and brings strong renewable energy project management experience. The appointment of Steve Wood as Head of Projects from RWE and Mandy Daley as General Manager of the Company's flagship Stallingborough project further strengthen the Company's management team.
John Seed, Managing Director, said:
"Liz brought the Company to the point where we were able to achieve a very successful listing on AIM. Our focus is now on the installation and operation of a range of biomass energy plants in the UK and South Africa and Alan's experience will further enhance our ability to take advantage of the exciting growth opportunities to develop Biomass as a sustainable source of renewable power."
Mr Lyons, Finance Director, said:
"I'm delighted to be joining the Company at such an exciting stage and I look forward to the start of construction at our flagship project at Stallingborough later this year."
Helius is planning to begin construction of a 65MWe biomass-fired power station at Stallingborough on the south side of the Humber Estuary later this year. The site also allows for the potential co-location of separate bio-ethanol and bio-diesel plants, which would produce biomass as by-products. It also holds an eighteen-month option to acquire a site at Seaton Port in Hartlepool, adjacent to an existing power plant on the north side of the Tees Estuary.
