ChargeUK appoints first Chief Executive Officer

ChargeUK, the industry body representing the country’s infrastructure industry, has appointed Vicky Read as its first CEO.

Her appointment comes as ChargeUK marks its first full year as the voice of the industry and the doubling of its membership from 20 original members to 40. It now represents the companies responsible for the majority of charge points operating in the UK, as well as charging manufacturers and others working to support the roll out of charging infrastructure.

Vicky was ChargeUK’s inaugural vice-chair between April 2023 and March 2024 and joins from Connected Kerb where she was head of policy and public affair.

Vicky said: “It’s a huge honour to be appointed as the first CEO of ChargeUK. The UK is at a key point in its transition to electric vehicles. As the voice for one of the sectors making that transition happen, ChargeUK has a vital role to play.

“Our members are already delivering exponential growth in charge point availability and have committed to invest billions of pounds more in the coming years, enabling all drivers to have access to the charging solutions they need.

“I’m looking forward to building on ChargeUK’s work with our partners in government and across the energy and transport ecosystem, to further improve availability and consumer experience, so that the UK can switch to electric vehicles with confidence”.

Chair of the board of ChargeUK Chris Pateman-Jones added: “The appointment of a permanent CEO demonstrates the next chapter in the growth of ChargeUK and the scale of our ambition.

“In this election year, whoever forms the next government will need to match that ambition as more and more electric vehicles take to the roads.

“ChargeUK members are committed to providing convenient and affordable charging for all drivers as they make the switch to EVs.”

Technology and Decarbonisation Minister Anthony Browne welcomed Vicky’s appointment. He said: “The UK is at the forefront of the global shift to zero emission driving, and I’m looking forward to working with Vicky Read in her new role as ChargeUK’s first CEO.

“As more people than ever switch to electric, this strengthening of ChargeUK’s leadership team reflects the importance of EV charging infrastructure in achieving net zero, and the continued efforts of Government and industry in growing the network.”