Valentina Gentili has been appointed as the new Programme Director of the Battery Innovation Programme.
Innovate UK is delighted to announce the appointment of Valentina Gentili as the new Programme Director of the £452 million Battery Innovation Programme.
This exciting new programme was announced as part of the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy Advanced Manufacturing Sector Plan.
Valentina has a strong background with over 20 years of experience in lithium-ion battery innovation and automotive research and development (R&D).
Until her appointment she was the Vice President of Global R&D at Agratas, leading international teams across the UK and India, advancing next-generation energy storage solutions and aligning technology strategy with commercial goals.
A wealth of experience
She held senior roles at Jaguar Land Rover, driving battery technology development and strategic collaborations, and at Johnson Matthey, where she led electrochemical R&D and supported global original equipment manufacturers in pioneering battery innovation.
Valentina actively contributes to the UK’s energy strategy through advisory roles with the Faraday Institution and Automotive Council.
She holds a PhD in Chemistry from the University of St Andrews and an MBA from LUISS Business School.
Pivotal time for the UK’s battery sector
Valentina said: "I’m excited to join the government’s Battery Innovation Programme at such a pivotal time for the UK’s battery sector. Advancing battery technologies is essential to achieving our net zero ambitions, and I look forward to working with the exceptional team and our partners to drive innovation and deliver real-world impact."
Transformative innovation
Mike Biddle, Executive Director Net Zero, Innovate UK welcomed the appointment saying "Valentina’s appointment reflects the Battery Innovation Programme’s continued focus on delivering transformative innovation and building a resilient, competitive battery ecosystem to support the UK’s net zero ambitions."
Future direction of the programme
This was echoed by Rebecca Shapira, Deputy Director Advanced Manufacturing, Department for Business and Trade who said: "I am delighted to welcome Valentina to the Battery Innovation Programme at such a critical time for the UK’s transition to net zero. Her deep experience in industrial strategy and innovation leadership will be invaluable as we work to strengthen the UK’s battery manufacturing capabilities and deliver long-term impact through the Battery Innovation Programme. We look forward to working with her as she leads the next phase of this vital initiative. Valentina brings a wealth of experience to Battery Innovation Programme as it enters a new phase of impact and delivery. She will be instrumental in shaping the future direction of the programme, working closely with stakeholders across industry, academia and government to accelerate innovation in UK battery sector."
Delivery partners
The Battery Innovation Programme, formerly the Faraday Battery Challenge, is managed by Innovate UK.
The £452 million investment from April 2026 to March 2030 will be delivered by the three key delivery partners:
- Faraday Institution for academic research and development
- Innovate UK for business-led innovation
- UK Battery Industrialisation Centre for technology scale-up and skills development
This article was first published on 1 July by Innovate UK.
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