The Advanced Materials Battery Council (AMBC) has appointed a new chief executive officer.

Fifty-four-year-old geologist Quentin Hill takes the reins at the Brisbane-based peak industry organisation.

The AMBC describes itself as ‘enabling industry, government and research participants from across the value chain to share, collaborate and promote opportunities and policies aligned with the rapid development of a successful industry meeting the needs of a zero-carbon future society.’

Among others, Mr Hill helped develop the Hawsons iron ore project in Broken Hill which produces some of the highest concentrate product in the world.

He’s now helping develop an industry.

“I like going for big projects and big vision,” Mr Hill said.  “I’m certainly optimistic, that’s for sure and the opportunity, big projects and big visions don’t scare me. 

“It’s really about optimism and seizing the opportunity and the blue sky that’s there and that’s what our members have seen.

“A lot of them are start-ups or working on the next-generation batteries or somehow have identified this massive opportunity for their shareholders and the country and that’s really attractive.”

AMBC members are both the high-fliers like Alpha HPA and Redflow and aspirational companies like Vaulta which aims to produce 100 percent recyclable batteries.

The National Battery Testing Centre is also a member. The QUT-based research unit supports the domestic development of a battery energy storage industry.

The structure allowed for mentoring start-ups into growth paths, Mr Hill said.

“The people that come up with the ideas or the discoveries aren’t experienced in raising capital,” he said.

“Putting them together and helping them learn the needs of the investors and the grant organisations and presenting their information in a way that’s attractive to them, or that they understand, is important and we can help with that.

“We’ve got the early stage with the material manufacturer and then the next stage of cell manufacturer, next-generation batteries will be the next kick along after that. 

“… So absolutely the opportunity is there and it will make a difference to the economy.”

Success for the AMBC included a domestic battery manufacturing industry and creating opportunities to keep talent and investment in the country, Mr Hill said.

“Now we’re trying to change that and it’s the right thing to do and it’s the right time to do it,” he said. “There are many, many Australians and Australian companies looking to come back. 

“So Redflow has come back, but other technical specialists and companies that because of the government incentives and because of the critical mass that we’re building here will come back and that brain drain can be arrested. 

“Importantly, we also need to create more. There isn’t enough people out there in this space as well, so we need to excite the students, today’s students and attract them into the battery sector as well.”