Amer Gaffar is director of Manchester Fuel Cell Innovation Centre and a sustainability professional with more than 17 years’ experience in the sector. Amer is a passionate advocate for fuel cell and hydrogen technology and has successfully built consensus and momentum in Manchester and the North West towards positive environmental practice and cleaner energy over the last decade.
Working in the estates team at Manchester Metropolitan University, Amer was instrumental in installing alternative energy resources to power University buildings and facilities. The result was improved environmental sustainability performance, with Manchester Met ranked as the number one greenest University in the People and Planet University League in 2015, 2016 and 2018.
In 2013, Amer founded the Greater Manchester Hydrogen Partnership to develop and support hydrogen technology projects in Manchester and embed a successful hydrogen economy in the wider North West region. Under Amer’s leadership the partnership made significant contributions to meeting targets set out in the Greater Manchester Energy Plan, including:
- The development of hydrogen and fuel cell-related industry and employment
- Improving air quality and reducing greenhouse gases and noise pollution
- Strengthening energy security in the region
- Building a green supply of hydrogen
Amer has been part of Manchester Fuel Cell Innovation Centre from the start, helping to secure £1.7m via the European Regional Development Fund and matched funding, overseeing the refurbishment and installation of the physical Centre, and building the strong and diverse network of SME, industry and public engagement stakeholders integral to the work of the Centre today.
In addition to his role at Manchester Fuel Cell Innovation Centre, Amer continues to lead a number of projects to make Manchester a centre of excellence in hydrogen and fuel cells and is working to develop a Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Strategy for the Greater Manchester Region.
