ABOUT SUPERCRITICAL
Discover the team behind the world’s first high-pressure, efficient electrolyser for the production of hydrogen energy.

No individual will solve the climate crisis.
We embrace partnerships and collaboration within our team and externally. We believe that bringing brilliant minds together in an innovation conducive environment will catalyse the world’s path to net zero.
A culture built on transparency and trust across the team is the foundation for accelerated problem solving.


No one has ever done what we’re doing.
We bring together impassioned individuals from all sorts of diverse backgrounds, disciplines and industries to enable us to think differently and challenge one another. Progress is never linear. When you’re developing something completely novel, things will not always go to plan.
We cannot fail so long as we learn and take that learning forward to our next attempt. We embrace the challenges and we celebrate success.
We’re thinkers.
We’re enablers.
We’re problem solvers.
We’re Supercritical.
We are on a mission to create pioneering hydrogen technology that enables industry to transition beyond fossil fuels.




VALUES
Purpose
in creating a legacy, driving positive change for sustainability in all we strive for
Transparency
in the way we work, the way we share and in our honesty
Partnership
to achieve shared goals, to collaborate at all levels, to welcome challenges and different points of view
Trust
in our colleagues, in the rigour of our delivery, and in our respect for others
Leadership
in finding breakthroughs, empowering actions, innovating
Curiosity
in celebrating ideas, championing our passions, being positively restless
meet the team
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"I'm driven to create a better world for my daughters. Embracing challenges, I find innovation and value working with intellectually-driven teams. Dyslexic and proud, it's my superpower—shaping unique perspectives. Let's pioneer clean technology together for a brighter future"
Matt Bird
Matt, co-founder, is captain of the ship. He has a 26 year career at the highest levels in corporates and startups. After successfully taking his latest startup from an empty desk to exit within 3 years, he found his next exciting challenge in heading up Supercritical. Get in touch for investment or partnerships.

"If not now, when? If not us, then who?"
Mike Russ
Mike, co-founder, with a unique career to augment his PhD, was on a one-way road to CTO at Supercritical. He is our genius in residence in electrochemical systems and supercritical reactors. Mike's a natural inventor, leading all things technical.

“Green hydrogen today is where the car was in 1900. We have to strive for better. We have to think differently to build the technologies of tomorrow.”
Luke Tan
Luke has lived and breathed hydrogen for his entire career, driving innovations into new markets globally with a world leading catalyst company. Always looking to solve the problem, Luke is the person to talk to about how Supercritical's technology can work for you.

"All of us come to work to make a difference. To date I've been fortunate enough to see my input launch products and services across big data, telecoms and ad-tech. I joined supercritical for the opportunity to do something about the biggest challenge the planet faces."
Taza Mohammedbhai
Taza brings a wealth of experience to a rapidly growing business. He's had 30+ years in product, project, operations and programme management, with the last 12 being focused on the launch and commercialisation of new businesses, products and services. His focus is to enable the business to set ambitious targets and then to deliver against them.

"What excites me about working with Supercritical is our commitment to pushing boundaries. We're not just iterating on existing tech; we're fundamentally rethinking how green hydrogen is produced, and that's a challenge I'm proud to tackle every day."
Antoine Zaarour (Tony)
Tony is a Chartered Senior Mechanical Design Engineer with 10+ years of experience, bringing a wealth of expertise to Supercritical. After 7 years in the oil and gas industry, he made a strategic pivot in 2022 to dedicate his skills to sustainable energy. Tony is at the forefront of developing Supercritical's core technology, the first high-pressure, ultra-efficient green hydrogen electrolyser.

"As an engineer, I want to tackle the tough challenges that will make a positive impact; at Supercritical, I love that I get to take on these challenges alongside a fantastic team. Bringing brilliant minds, keen insights and fresh perspectives from a range of backgrounds, we are consistently striving for a better electrolyser product and system design, as we support the transition to a cleaner, greener world."
James Stephens
James heads up the System team, mixing technical expertise and strategic thinking to drive the scale up of Supercritical's electrolyser systems. Having learnt the ropes in traditional energy at leading consultancy Genesis Energies, he is passionate about the nexus of environment and technology, bringing his technical and strategic mind to Supercritical's mission of a world beyond fossil fuels.

"Working on new and exciting technological challenges is a huge motivator for me, and working on a unique product with a great team in the rapidly growing green hydrogen sector ticks those boxes."
Owain Williams
Owain has over a decade of experience with engineering in extreme environments, most recently at CERN in Geneva. As a Chartered Mechanical Engineer, he brings a systems-level focus to the design and optimisation of Supercritical’s electrolyser technology.

"The future of green hydrogen holds immense potential and it brings me great joy in working with Supercritical’s cutting edge technology which has a positive environmental impact and is at the heart of innovation."
Dunya Kamel Saleem
Dunya is a bright and passionate process engineer. She brings systems engineering experience from liquid nitrogen focused startup; Clean Cold Power and operational experience from her time at Air Liquide. Dunya is working towards Chartered engineer status.
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"Engineer and entrepreneur, John will find a way. Leveraging his wide breadth of experience in highly technical innovative arenas, John keeps things moving at Supercritical pace when the ideas are flowing."
John Glyn-Woods
I have worked in the energy sector since 2006, first in energy conservation, later with solar technology research, and now with hydrogen production. I have lived off grid several times and am acutely aware of energy storage and conservation needs. I am focused on turning electrical power as a utility into a tradable commodity.

"My journey from the pinnacle of Formula 1 engineering to the cutting edge of sustainable technology has been driven by an unwavering passion for solving complex problems and empowering teams to achieve the impossible. It's about pushing boundaries, whether on the racetrack or in the lab, to deliver innovative solutions that truly make an impact."
Huw Griffiths
Huw is a highly driven and successful Engineer with a robust background in Mechanical and Systems Engineering, honed in high-performance environments like Formula 1. With a proven track record of leading teams and delivering innovative engineering solutions, Huw contributed to the team winning 6 double World Championship wins during his tenure at Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains.

"'...Take the best that exists and make it better. When it does not exist, design it.'- Sir Frederick Henry Royce. With this thinking let's do great things and drive the engineering and technology in our industry to new heights for both ourselves and the future generations to come."
Ben Icke
Ben is a driven Senior Mechanical Engineer with extensive experience designing and developing products across a wide range of industries: hydrogen, medical, rail, aerospace, and manufacturing. Ben is adept at running projects and teams through the full product lifecycle, specialising in mechanical design, risk mitigation, and agile project delivery within highly regulated environments.
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"Context is King, Insight is Queen, and Data is the Crown Jewel"
Liam Wallace
Over fifteen years in manufacturing engineering has taken me through every scale of operation, from high-volume production lines to specialized R&D, now focused on energy technology development. I solve complex technical problems with practical solutions, using data analysis and process optimization to balance all the factors that matter.

"If you're going to work in engineering, there is no better or nobler a field than sustainability. It's the easiest thing in the world to believe in, work toward, and otherwise get passionate about. Every task feels worthwhile, no matter how small."
Oscar Gill
Oscar is a multidisciplinary mechanical design engineer with a first class mechanical engineering degree from Imperial College London and nearly a decade of experience ranging from ag-tech to aerospace engineering. Expertise in 3D printing, configuration management, and mechanical design, with a track record of delivering long term projects.

"Caring for people and the planet has been a constant throughout my career. I now focus on strategic support, thriving on the opportunity to ensure our team is aligned, hits our objectives, and delivers Supercritical's innovative future. Working alongside such a passionate team is a genuine pleasure."
Shireen Basra
Shireen is a results-driven Project Manager who thrives on translating technical ideas into reality. With a unique foundation combining a Masters in Chemistry from UCL and Association for Project Management qualifications, she excels at navigating the challenges of R&D to deliver results. Shireen has a record of success, bringing innovations to life in the plastics, coatings, and hydrogen sectors.

"Through my work in R&D, I hope to be a piece to the wider puzzle that is solving sustainability"
Dr Natalie McLeod
Natalie's passion for green hydrogen is fuelled by her interest in developing technologies to solve sustainability challenges. Her interest in this field was sparked during her PhD, where she became intrigued by the concept of transforming a greenhouse gas into a valorised product. This led her to electrolysers and Supercritical, working towards maximising the technology, to deliver hydrogen.
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"I joined supercritical to continue my commitment to sustainability through innovation. I hope to continue to make an impact on the challenges of the future and let nothing stand in my way, even my dyslexia."
Dr Oliver Fernihough
Oliver offers extensive experience in research, development, and systems engineering. His expertise includes developing and automating research testing capabilities, designing custom test programs using Python, and defining critical safety arguments for laboratory and system environments. He is fluent in PLC control languages and has hands-on experience with big data on the cloud.

"'It always seems impossible until it's done' - Nelson Mandela. This truth deeply fuels me at Supercritical Solutions. I'm driven by an unwavering passion to conquer complex problems and empower teams, daring to achieve what others deem impossible. My mission: pioneering clean technology for a brighter, truly sustainable future."
Dayna Kivell
Dayna champions innovation, powerfully combining technical expertise with strategic insight. Her passion ignites when tackling complex challenges and cultivating inclusive environments where teams truly thrive. She's deeply committed to emerging technologies for impactful, sustainable solutions, embodying the Kiwi "Number 8 wire" mentality to transform ambitious ideas into tangible realities.
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"My guiding principle is Nihil Sine Magno Labore (Nothing Without Great Effort). I am deeply passionate about green technology and committed to contributing to cutting-edge initiatives that drive positive change in our world."
Dirk van Schalkwyk
Dirk is a driven professional with a proactive approach to challenges. Skilled in electrical and electronics design, systems testing, test equipment with programming, and fuel cell systems integration, he offers full project insight from prototype to support. Collaborative and detail-focused, he thrives on complex projects and continuous learning, consistently delivering results.

"It's a privilege to be part of a great team working on commercialising a FOIK clean energy technology in a complex and evolving energy landscape."
Greg Whitby
Greg has 10 years’ experience in strategy formulation, commercial development, financial modelling and project delivery across startups and strategy consulting. He specialises in techno-economic assessments and financial analysis, and is driven by developing high-value cleantech products and services with the potential to re-shape energy industries.

"The numbers tell a story. I'm passionate about helping to read that story, understand the plot, and write a successful next chapter for the business."
Jean-Pierre Jordaan
With a rich 25-year career in finance, JP Jordaan is a fractional CFO dedicated to empowering innovative startups and dynamic SMEs. His expertise in financial management and strategic planning helps companies navigate complex financial landscapes, ensuring the protection of cash flow, stakeholders, and profits.

"True impact, especially in the race against climate change, is never a solo endeavour. It's the fusion of diverse minds and powerful collaborations that brings ground-breaking solutions for a sustainable future on our planet."
Dr Abi Mountain
Abi has dedicated her career to the advancement of renewable chemicals. She has proven leadership in the commercialisation of deep tech, from proof-of-concept to first-of-a-kind projects, combining commercial acumen with a technical background and a PhD in Chemistry from University College London. She excels at forging value-added collaborations and is the go-to for partnership opportunities.

“'Our problems are manmade--therefore, they can be solved by man. And man can be as big as he wants. No problem of human destiny is beyond human beings. Man's reason and spirit have often solved the seemingly unsolvable--and we believe they can do it again.' ― John F. Kennedy"
Oliver Brandon
Oliver Brandon is a passionate Test Stand Engineer, specialising in alkaline water electrolysis testing. With a First-Class MEng in Chemical Engineering from the University of Birmingham, he has driven innovation through data automation, optimisation, and cross-departmental collaboration. Known for technical precision and leadership, Oliver continually seeks to enhance technology performance.

"It's an exciting time for the hydrogen economy with a lot of ideas being developed. My work is to show that our disruptive technology is able to offer a safe alternative to the established norms."
Paul Jarrett
Paul has over 20 years' service in operations and projects for companies operating on high hazard sites. He matches a strong technical background with practical experience to deliver workable solutions.

"I am driven by making the world everyday a better and greener place."
Dr Dominic Hey
Dominic is an accomplished electrochemist with a PhD in Chemistry from the University of Cambridge. He is a technical leader in the analysis of processes across electrolysers, alkaline redox flow batteries, lithium-ion batteries, and fuel cells. His work contributes to advancing next-gen technologies by improving cell performance, increasing current density, and reducing overall resistance.

"I have always been planet conscious, and have been very fortunate work in research and development of new green technologies. It is very exciting to be working on something that has never been done before."
Charlie Hood
Charlie is a seasoned Laboratory Technician with 7 years of proven experience across high-throughput commercial and research environments. Charlie possesses an expert understanding of instrument calibration, maintains meticulous standards for sample preparation, and is proficient in methods such as ICP-OES and ICP-MS. They are known for technical troubleshooting and a commitment to safety.

"The development of new and innovative green technologies is incredibly rewarding and fundamental in tackling the issues of climate change. Working for Supercritical gives me the opportunity to contribute towards creating a cleaner, more sustainable future."
Matthew Borley
With strong interest in prototyping, experimentation and design within a dynamic engineering setting, Matt is skilled in electro-mechanical systems and practical testing. With proven experience in the setup, operation, and maintenance of testing laboratories, He is passionate about innovation and supporting the development of emerging technologies.

"I enjoy interesting technical problems, especially ones that have the potential to help deliver a greener world, so I am excited to be working on this novel process to efficiently produce green hydrogen."
Simon Robson
Simon is a Senior Process Engineer with over a decade’s experience in the energy and green tech sectors, including commercialising novel technologies for a start-up. He is using his experience, from the design phase through to operations, to develop and scale Supercritical’s electrolyser systems.

“'We need to work with nature, not against it.' - Sir. David Attenborough"
Aneta Fabianczyk
Aneta is an experienced Office Administrator with a background in supporting fast-growing, technology-driven organisations. Beginning her career in 2010, she has managed operations across sectors including start-ups, medical equipment, and construction. Aneta is skilled in keeping teams aligned through periods of rapid development, fostering a safe, collaborative, and high-performance workplace.

"'We don't see things as they are, we see them as we are. Changing the way we look at the world is the first step to changing the world.' I'm inspired to work for a company that wants to make a difference."
Tanmayi Gadgil
Tanmayi combines her academic foundation in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Bath with two years of hands-on experience as a Manufacturing and Design Engineer. She brings a keen eye for detail to process efficiency and supply chain development. She thrives on overcoming technical challenges and is committed to continuous professional growth to deliver innovative solutions.
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"Those who are born after us will, because of us, belong to a history higher than any other one ever was until us"
Rebecca Tekleyesus
Rebecca is passionate about renewable energy and environmental justice. After studying Philosophy, Politics and Economics at Oxford, she has worked and volunteered within the energy sector. She is focused on understanding the commercial and policy barriers that hinder the market adoption of renewables, and in this role, is hopeful to help break them down.
Our open positions
Is it time to make the leap? We’re looking for brilliant and passionate people to join us!
Technology PARTNERS
See the Technology Partnerships that we have. The partnerships that extend our team far more widely than Supercritical’s four walls!




supercritical's press kit
Request access to our high-resolution image assets and business summary documents here.
EXTENDED FAQs
Explore the world of Supercritical, clean hydrogen production and how it can help create a more sustainable world.
A PEM (Proton Exchange Membrane) electrolyser is a device that utilises an electrochemical process to split water into hydrogen and oxygen gases. It consists of an electrolysis cell with a solid polymer electrolyte membrane, typically made of a proton-conducting PFAS polymer like Nafion.
In a PEM electrolyser, the electrolysis process takes place within a cell that contains a proton exchange membrane. This membrane selectively allows protons (positively charged hydrogen ions) to pass through while blocking the passage of electrons and other ions. The cell is typically composed of two electrodes, an anode, and a cathode, separated by the proton exchange membrane.
When an electric current is applied to the PEM electrolyser, water molecules at the anode side are oxidized, releasing oxygen gas and protons. The protons then move through the membrane to the cathode side, where they combine with electrons from the cathode to form hydrogen gas.
The key benefit of this technology is its high current density, enabling fast response times, making it suitable for grid balancing or fast on/off use of curtailed renewable energy.
An AEM (Anion Exchange Membrane) electrolyser is a device that utilises an electrochemical process to split water into hydrogen and oxygen gases. It employs an anion exchange membrane.
The AEM electrolyser operates by passing an electric current through its electrolysis cell, causing the water molecules (H2O) to dissociate into hydrogen ions (protons) and hydroxide ions (OH-). The anion exchange membrane selectively allows the migration of hydroxide ions to the anode while preventing the crossover of other species. This results in the separation of hydrogen and oxygen gases. At the cathode, hydrogen ions combine with electrons to form hydrogen gas, while at the anode, water molecules and hydroxide ions generate oxygen gas.
The key benefit of this technology is its use of less expensive materials.
An Alkaline Electrolyser is a device that utilises an electrochemical process to split water into hydrogen and oxygen gases. It operates based on the principles of a high alkaline solution and employs an alkaline electrolyte, typically a potassium hydroxide (KOH) solution.
In an Alkaline Electrolyser, water is electrolysed by passing an electric current through the electrolyte, which contains hydroxide ions (OH-). The electrolyte enables the migration of ions and facilitates the separation of hydrogen and oxygen gases. At the cathode, water molecules are reduced, generating hydrogen gas (H2), while at the anode, water molecules are oxidised, producing oxygen gas (O2).
Alkaline Electrolysers are commercially available and the most mature electrolyser class, having been widely used for hydrogen production for decades, however they operate with low efficiency and relatively short life.
A Solid Oxide Electrolyser (SOE) is a device that utilises a high-temperature electrochemical process to split water vapour into hydrogen and oxygen gases. It employs a solid oxide electrolyte as its key component. In an SOE, a solid ceramic electrolyte separates the cathode and anode compartments. At high temperatures (typically between 600-1200 degrees Celsius), the electrolyte becomes ionically conductive, allowing oxygen ions (O2-) to migrate from the cathode to the anode through the electrolyte. At the cathode, water vapour is reduced to form oxygen ions and electrons, while at the anode, oxygen ions combine with electrons to generate oxygen gas.
The key benefit of this technology is its high electrical efficiency for electrolysis and its ability to integrate with industrial waste heat for greater system efficiency.
Certainly! We have numerous case studies and success stories that showcase the positive impact of our cleantech solutions on various businesses. Take a look at the Partners and Case Studies sections for an indication on who and how we work.