Active Energy Group PLC (AIM:AEG, OTCQB:ATGVF) has appointed Kate Nga Nguyen as managing director of Southeast Asia ahead of plans to open an office in Vietnam in 2024.
With the company having been expanding its presence in the region over the past two years, Nga Nguyen will focus on the deployment and expansion of Active Energy's activities throughout Southeast Asia, including building commercial partnerships and establishing manufacturing centres in the region.
Seeking patent applications for its CoalSwitch technology in the region, it recently gained a patent award in Malaysia.
The company said the appointment of Barron Hewetson as chief technical officer in July has accelerated regional enquiries for future partnerships.
It added that Nga Nguyen previously worked in corporate strategy and development for Enviva Biomass US, where she analysed acquisition opportunities from the US, Europe, Africa and Southeast Asia and helped integrate large acquisitions, and before that was a senior account manager at Vietnam-based investment bank Vietcombank Securities.
"Kate's role provided her with access to leading financial management funds from Southeast Asia, Japan, Korea, and Europe to present the Vietnamese investment opportunities. Kate's deep regional expertise and ability to expand a company's client base will be crucial to Active Energy as it develops manufacturing capabilities and partnerships throughout Southeast Asia," the company said.
Kate Nga Nguyen graduated with honours from MBA at Texas A&M University Corpus Christi. She also holds a Master of Science in Corporate Finance from University of Texas at San Antonio and a Bachelor from University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City.
Michael Rowan, CEO, Active Energy, said: "Kate's appointment comes at an important time for Active Energy as we look to expand our business into Southeast Asia to accommodate the increasing interest in CoalSwitch production. Kate's regional knowledge and sector expertise is key for Active Energy's ability to expand into these new geographies, develop the corporate strategy and build new partnerships. Active Energy is committed to investing in the region and expects it to be a huge growth market for the business going forward.
Kate Nga Nguyen, managing director of Southeast Asia, Active Energy, said: "I am delighted to be joining the Active Energy team. Active Energy's CoalSwitch product is a solution that is urgently required in the region as countries seek to search for all solutions to decarbonise. This is an exciting time for the company to be expanding into Southeast Asia and I look forward to overseeing the future growth."