SkyNRG, the Amsterdam-based frontrunner in Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF), has appointed Richard Gort as its new Chief Operating Officer, a further strategic hire as it continues a new phase of industrial-scale production and growth.
The appointment follows SkyNRG’s recent €250 million investment from APG, positioning the company in a strong position as it plans to develop and construct SAF production facilities in Delfzijl, the Netherlands, as well as in Sweden and the United States.
The incoming COO joins SkyNRG from TenneT, a leading European transmission system operator (TSO), where he spent eight years, most recently as Director of Customer Connections and Capacity. Experienced in the fuels and energy sector, he has also held roles at Shell, TNO and additional roles with NOVEC, Reddyn and TensZ.
SkyNRG is on a mission to scale SAF production to help the aviation sector meet its 2050 net-zero targets. SkyNRG projects global SAF supply will reach 18.1 million mt by 2035, falling some 23 million mt short of forecasted demand in the same period.
Since 2010, SkyNRG has been sourcing, blending and distributing SAF to airlines worldwide. Today, it’s focussed on developing dedicated facilities and accelerating the transition to more sustainable aviation.
In response to the appointment, incoming COO Richard Gort shared: “It’s wonderful to see the international ambition and commercially focused mindset that led me here in action; I can really feel the collective drive stemming from our mission of making the aviation industry more sustainable. I hope to add value by bringing a strategic and risk-aware perspective as we grow.
The future of SAF is complex, but full of opportunity. Our first plant in Delfzijl is a crucial milestone, showing the world we can lead not just in vision, but in execution. Our deep technical knowledge, strong market access through trading, and global insight into where to develop projects will enable us to deliver.”
Richard Gort has already begun work at SkyNRG and will play a key role in driving the company’s scale-up and operational growth.
