New investment associate joins the HYCAP team

Leading energy transition investor HYCAP today welcomed a new investment associate to the team, continuing the growth strategy at its Oxford headquarters.

Tom Betts joins from Aurora, the power systems analysis company, and will be working across fund activity.

Investing across the net zero value chain, HYCAP portfolio companies include Wrightbus, a world-leader in EV and hydrogen fuel cell buses, Ryze, which transports and distributes renewable energy, and Hygen, a hydrogen production facility.

It has secured investments with Liquid Wind, a green electrofuel development company, Yamna, a global green hydrogen platform, Ion Ventures, a BESS & Solar developer, and fintech software providers Zeti.

Tom, 27, said he made the switch from consultancy work because he wanted more of a ‘hands-in’ role in the energy transition.

“I really enjoyed my time at Aurora and pretty much everyone used them in the UK, but we while we were providing our opinion and doing valuations for different projects, ultimately, we weren’t delivering projects,” he explained.

“The energy transition is such a pivotal moment for this planet that I wanted to be more hands-on, particularly in hydrogen.”

Originally from Kenilworth, Tom studied mechanical engineering at Bristol University before a year working in market analysis for a shipping company.

“I moved to London but my time at Clarksons Research coincided with Covid so it was such an incredibly strange time to be living in the city.

“I’ve made Oxford my home now and am living with some friends from university, just on the outskirts of the city.”

HYCAP CEO James Munce welcomed Tom to the team and said his enthusiasm and experience would be vital assets to the business.

“We are always looking for the next generation of people to help us deliver the energy transition and Tom’s passion and knowledge in this sector will help us continue to deliver more for our investors and for the businesses in our portfolio” James explained.