John Walker

Background

About John Walker

John is a global, results-driven C-suite executive with 30+ years’ experience building, scaling, and transforming industrial and clean-technology businesses across advanced materials, energy transition, and strategic supply chains.He has led growth and turnaround initiatives spanning critical minerals, semiconductors, power electronics, photonics, lithium-ion batteries, and clean energy systems (solar, hydrogen, biomass, and waste-to-energy), operating at the intersection of technology, capital, and industrial execution.John is best known for taking complex, capital-intensive technologies from concept to commercial scale, delivering significant shareholder value through disciplined strategy and investor-grade execution. Across his career, he has repeatedly scaled businesses from modest revenues into hundreds of millions in annual turnover, often in highly regulated or first-of-a-kind environments.As CEO of Tees Valley Lithium, John led the development of Europe’s largest lithium hydroxide project, securing full planning approval within nine months — a UK first. The project carried a CAPEX of ~$1bn, NPV exceeding $5bn, and IRR above 25%, positioning it as a cornerstone asset in the European EV and battery supply chain.Previously, as VP & General Manager at Imerys, John held full P&L responsibility across global industrial minerals businesses. He delivered portfolio transformation through strategic divestments (€25m), acquisitions (€10m), and industrial restructuring generating €5m in recurring annual savings, while continuing to invest in innovation and growth regions.He also played a foundational role in creating The Quartz Corp, conceiving and executing a cross-border joint venture in under six months to rescue a loss-making US asset. Over the following decade, the business scaled into a €350m revenue global leader in high-purity quartz for semiconductors and solar.A qualified Management Accountant (ACMA), John combines strong financial discipline with entrepreneurial agility, with experience in capital raising, project finance, public-private partnerships, and sovereign and institutional investor engagement.He is a people-centric leader and recognised contributor to industry and policy dialogue on critical materials and net zero, including invited briefings to the UK House of Lords.John is seeking CEO, Managing Director, or Board-level roles where his experience in scaling industrial platforms, mobilising capital, and delivering complex energy and materials projects can drive the next phase of global growth.