Xlinks First Ltd completes executive management team with double appointment

Xlinks First Ltd has appointed Samantha Jones and Catherine Gan as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer respectively.

The double appointment completes the company’s executive management team.

Sharing more than 50 years of experience between them, Samantha and Catherine will play crucial roles in delivering the Morocco-UK Power Project, which will supply millions of British homes with renewable energy generated in North Africa and transported via 4,000km of subsea cable.

Once complete, the Project will be capable of providing 8% of Great Britain’s current electricity needs.

James Humfrey, CEO of the Morocco – UK Power Project, said:

“It truly is a pleasure to have both Samantha and Catherine on board. This double appointment completes our executive management team and further accentuates the amazing journey we are on to deliver this world first project, which will accelerate the transition to Net Zero.
“Xlinks has coalesced a world-class team that has a raft of experience, and this really is an exciting time for the business.”

Samantha Jones OBE

Samantha brings more than 30 years of experience in executive roles across both the public and private sectors.

Having originally started her career as a nurse, she led multiple complex organisations across the national NHS and NHS England, as well as in the private sector.

She also worked at the highest level in Government, having been the Prime Minister’s Expert Advisor and subsequently appointed as Interim Permanent Secretary and COO for the new Office of the Prime Minister in 2022.

This wealth of experience will see her become COO at Xlinks First Ltd, leading the ‘Powerhouse’ Team.

Samantha said:

“I have responsibility for what we call the ‘Powerhouse’: security, IT, data, human resources, health, safety and policy.
“I am also responsible for the Target Operating Model, which is the blueprint for how the organisation should operate in the future to achieve its vision and strategy.”

Speaking on what attracted her to the new role, Samantha added:

“Xlinks’ vision to unlock the potential of renewable energy is incredibly exciting, as is the opportunity to work with the incredible talent across the business.
“It’s also a hot topic of conversation with our teenagers who – like so many of their generation – are interested in climate change.
“Why wouldn’t you want to be part of something that will have such a positive impact on the world?”

Catherine Gan

Catherine brings more than 25 years of experience in executive and board level roles in energy and infrastructure sectors.

She has delivered highly complex mega projects, including Hinkley Point C and international renewable projects, she brings with her extensive experience of working with both governments and private sector (PE/VC) investors, through M&A, fundraising, strategy, financial and risk management.

Catherine’s previous experience includes: CFO and Board Director of the HMG arm’s length company Low Carbon Contracts Company (LCCC); Finance Director for Hinkley Point C; and a number of CFO roles within renewable energy companies owned by global infrastructure investors.

Catherine Gan, Chief Financial Officer at Xlinks First Ltd, said:

“The UK government has set an ambitious energy transition target for this country and while many different approaches are required to achieve it, Xlinks’ project is going to prove crucial.
“The business is encouraging fundamental changes to how energy is generated by using proven technology on a scale that will make a real difference.
“Moving and shifting power from where there is plenty of supply to where the demand is truly is the way forward, and it’s a real honour to be part of this flagship project.”