NOVONIX Names CFO Robert Long Interim CEO Amid Production Scale-Up Plans
NOVONIX announces the departure of CEO Dr. Chris Burns, with CFO Robert Long stepping in as interim CEO amid plans to scale production at its Riverside facility.
- Dr. Chris Burns to step down as CEO effective January 24, 2025
- Robert Long, CFO, appointed interim CEO during leadership transition
- NOVONIX preparing to commence production at Riverside facility in 2025
- Search underway for new CEO with manufacturing and scale-up expertise
- Dr. Burns to remain as Special Advisor to the Board
Leadership Transition at a Critical Growth Phase
Battery materials innovator NOVONIX Limited (ASX: NVX) has announced a significant leadership change as Dr. Chris Burns steps down from his role as Chief Executive Officer effective January 24, 2025. Dr. Burns, who has helmed the company since September 2020, will continue to support NOVONIX as a Special Advisor to the Board, ensuring continuity during this pivotal period.
His tenure saw NOVONIX advance its technology portfolio and secure strong backing from US government entities, investors, and customers, positioning the company as a key player in North America's battery materials sector. The timing of this transition coincides with NOVONIX's imminent commercial production launch at its Riverside facility in Chattanooga, Tennessee, marking a new chapter in operational scale-up.
Interim Leadership and CEO Search Focus
In the interim, CFO Robert Long will assume the CEO role, tasked with maintaining momentum and overseeing strategic priorities while the Board conducts a search for a permanent successor. The Board has emphasized the need for a CEO with deep experience in manufacturing, operations, and scaling production to lead NOVONIX through its next growth phase, particularly as synthetic graphite production ramps up.
Mr. Long’s appointment reflects confidence in his leadership capabilities during this transitional phase. His remuneration package includes a base salary of USD 600,000, with performance-linked incentives and long-term equity rights, aligning his interests with shareholder value creation.
Strategic Implications for NOVONIX
The CEO transition comes at a moment when NOVONIX is poised to capitalize on its proprietary technologies, including its patented all-dry, zero-waste cathode synthesis process and advanced synthetic graphite manufacturing. The Riverside facility’s production commencement is a critical milestone that will test the company’s operational readiness and market positioning.
Dr. Burns’ continued advisory role suggests a desire to preserve institutional knowledge and smooth the leadership handover. Meanwhile, the Board’s proactive approach to appointing a CEO with manufacturing scale-up expertise signals a strategic shift towards execution and commercialisation.
As NOVONIX navigates this leadership change, investors will be watching closely how the new CEO shapes the company’s trajectory amid a competitive and rapidly evolving battery materials landscape.
Bottom Line?
NOVONIX’s leadership shift underscores the company’s transition from innovation to industrial scale-up, with the new CEO search critical to sustaining growth momentum.
Questions in the middle?
- Who will be appointed as the permanent CEO and what is their track record in manufacturing scale-up?
- How will the Riverside facility’s production ramp-up impact NOVONIX’s financial performance in 2025?
- What strategic priorities will the new CEO pursue to differentiate NOVONIX in the competitive battery materials market?