Daryl Wilson had led the influential H2 trade organisation since 2020

 

Daryl Wilson, the executive director of global trade organisation Hydrogen Council has stepped down from his role after being diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), a type of blood cancer.

 

Wilson explained in a LinkedIn post that while his prognosis is “very positive”, with a high chance of recovery, he has felt the need to resign to focus on his health.

 

“The prognosis for this particular type of leukaemia is very positive, with a 90% chance of remission within 30 to 60 days, though there’s a 50/50 chance of relapse,” he wrote.

 

“My doctor tells me my response to treatment has been textbook so far and has a very good outlook for my case.”

 

However, he added: “Facing this new reality, it became obvious that I should resign from my position as Executive Director of the Hydrogen Council.”

 

Prior to his appointment as executive director of Hydrogen Council in 2020, Wilson served as CEO of Hydrogenics, an electrolyser manufacturer now owned by Cummins and marketed under the brand name Accelera.

 

“It has been the pinnacle of my career to work with the industry members of the Hydrogen Council, alongside government policy makers and civil society over these last three years,” he wrote on LinkedIn.

 

“Against the background of my 17 years, these last three years have seen rocket acceleration for the hydrogen industry. Today we see commitment, action, and skilled deployment at a scale I never imagined could happen.”

 

Hydrogen Council was officially launched by 13 companies at the World Economic Forum in Davos in 2017, although a precursor organisation had been founded by Air Liquide with the support of Toyota in 2016, in order to accelerate hydrogen as part of the energy transition.

 

The CEO-led trade organisation now counts 150 companies across the value chain among its membership, and its work is often cited by governments around the world.

 

Hydrogen Council has appointed its director of operations and project management office, Steven Libbrecht as interim executive director, while policy and partnerships director Daria Nochevnik will act as the primary external spokesperson.

 

“Amidst the rapid expansion of the hydrogen industry in recent years, the Hydrogen Council, under Daryl’s leadership, has equally witnessed impressive growth. As Daryl embarks on a journey of recovery, our sincerest well wishes accompany him,” said Yoshinori Kanehana, chairman of Kawasaki Heavy Industries and co-chair of Hydrogen Council.

 

The other co-chair, Sanjiv Lamba, CEO of Linde, added: “News of Daryl’s pending departure weighs heavily upon the Council – one that will be keenly felt as a great loss. We wish him a speedy recovery. Our thoughts are with Daryl and his family.”

 

Source:HydrogenInsight