Hydrogen Production Leader ITM Power Names Linde’s Jürgen Nowicki as New Chair

ITM Power, the UK company specializing in green hydrogen tech, has named Jürgen Nowicki as its incoming Non-Executive Chair, effective 15 January 2026. Nowicki, the former CEO of Linde Engineering and a well-respected figure in the industrial gases world, will take over from Sir Roger Bone, who’s been in the seat since 2019.

New Leadership at a Turning Point

This shift in leadership comes at a pretty crucial time. As global demand for green hydrogen soars, companies like ITM Power are feeling the heat to scale up fast and prove they've got what it takes for wide-scale adoption. By bringing in someone with Nowicki’s background, ITM is signaling it’s serious about leveling up—tapping into a deep well of operational know-how and international clout.

“This isn’t just a new name on the board,” said one UK-based energy analyst. “This is ITM putting their foot on the gas. They want to play in the big leagues, and Nowicki's the kind of guy who knows how to get there.”

A Career That Matches the Moment

Nowicki’s got the résumé to back it up. With over 30 years at Linde PLC—working across Europe, the U.S., and the Czech Republic—he was most recently CEO of Linde Engineering. That role had him leading major hydrogen, syngas, and industrial decarbonization projects, putting him right at the heart of the hydrogen infrastructure buildout. He’s not new to ITM Power either, having served on the board as Linde's nominated representative up until 2025.

Sir Roger Bone helped steer ITM out of its early tech development days, laying down commercial roots and carving out a clear spot for the company in both UK and EU hydrogen strategies. It’s a solid foundation—and one Nowicki looks set to build on.

Strong Market Response and What Comes Next

Investors liked what they saw—the stock jumped 7.4% on the day the news landed. It’s clear the market sees Nowicki as a good match. With his connections and deep understanding of industrial hydrogen infrastructure, here’s what ITM is expected to focus on next:

• Strengthening global partnerships, particularly with large EPC (engineering, procurement, and construction) firms
• Speeding up deployment of major hydrogen production projects across Europe and beyond
• Expanding operations at its gigafactory in Sheffield
• Going after industrial decarbonization contracts in hard-to-electrify areas like steel and heavy transport

The Tech at the Center: PEM Electrolysis

At the heart of ITM’s offering is its PEM electrolysis tech—a process where renewable electricity is used to split water into hydrogen and oxygen using a proton exchange membrane. The result? Zero-carbon hydrogen, a clean fuel with huge potential to drive sustainability in industries like steel, ammonia, and transport.

This technology is key as countries hustle to hit their 2030 and 2050 climate targets. And with Nowicki’s deep industrial background in play, ITM’s bet is that it can deliver the scale and system performance the market is demanding.

From Steel Town to Clean Energy Hub

All of this is happening out of Sheffield, England—once famous for its steel production, now emerging as a major player in the UK’s push for sustainable energy. ITM’s East Sheffield facility is home base for its R&D and manufacturing efforts, and it’s only getting more central to the company’s expansion plans.

Choosing a German industrial gas veteran like Nowicki also shows how the clean energy scene is growing increasingly international. We’re seeing more and more seasoned execs from traditional energy and industrial backgrounds bring their leadership chops into the cleantech world—opening doors to large-scale financing and global partnerships.

Looking Ahead

With Jürgen Nowicki stepping into the chair, ITM Power isn’t just hoping to keep up with the transformation—it’s aiming to lead it. The next few years will be all about impact: real-world projects, tighter international collaboration, and delivering scalable, zero-carbon hydrogen production. If all goes to plan, 2026 won’t just be a new chapter—it’ll be a whole new level.