March 24, 2022: Lead and lithium battery firm the Sunlight Group said on March 14 it was bolstering the international experience of its board with new appointments, as the Greece-based company aims to become “a true global leader” in the energy storage sector.
Gordon Riske has been named as chairman and independent non-executive director.
Also joining the board as independent non-executive directors are Michel Govaert, who will also head the company’s audit committee, and Peter Lamp, who will head the new technology and innovation committee.
Expertise
Riske is a former CEO of the Kion Group, a German multinational manufacturer of materials handling equipment and the incumbent CEO of GRBR Services.
Sunlight said Riske had in-depth knowledge of original equipment manufacturers and a wealth of expertise in sectors including high-performance energy systems.
Govaert, who is a non-executive director and former group CFO at AOC & ChemicaInvest, started his career at Philips Electronics and has worked as partner at professional services firm Alvarez & Marsal.
Sunlight said Govaert’s experience would be invaluable in Sunlight’s corporate transformation to a global tech company.
Lamp, who is head of BMW Group Battery Cell Technology and the associated worldwide R&D network, will join Sunlight’s board in May.
He has more than 30 years’ experience in cutting-edge R&D work in the energy sector, Sunlight said.
Investment
Sunlight Group CEO Lampros Bisalas said the new board members all have a strong track record of driving growth and operational excellence.
In 2021, Sunlight announced the initial rollout of a €560 million ($615 million) five-year investment plan to expand the capacity of lead acid and lithium ion energy storage products.
Investments include upgrades to the company’s facilities in the US, Italy, and Greece. Sunlight said its main manufacturing unit in Xanthi, Greece, would become the world’s largest facility plant for industrial, motive, lead batteries.
Photos: Sunlight’s Xanthi facility and new board members, from left: Gordon Riske, Michel Govaert and Peter Lamp
