UK Export Finance (UKEF), the UK’s export credit agency (ECA), has appointed Richard Simon-Lewis as its new Head of Civil, Infrastructure and Energy.

Richard joins UKEF following a corporate finance career including 20 years leading specialised teams in project and structured finance, with a particular specialism in the renewable energy sector. Most recently, he was Finance Director for Capture Power’s White Rose project, the world’s first commercial scale, full chain carbon capture and storage coal-fired power plant. Here, he led the project’s financing, structuring and capital formation.

Prior to this, he led Lloyds Banking Group’s renewable energy project finance function from 2009-2013. During his tenure, the Group was ranked as no. 1 Lead Arranger of Renewable Energy projects by Bloomberg New Energy Finance for three years in a row. He has previously led project and structured finance teams at Credit Lyonnais, Abbey National, NatWest and the Long-Term Credit Bank of Japan.

Gordon Welsh, UKEF’s Head of Business Group, welcomed Richard to the department, saying:

I am delighted that Richard has joined UK Export Finance as our new Head of Civil, Infrastructure and Energy. He brings a wealth of experience to the role and will lead the team to deliver even more competitive and pioneering support to exporters in these important sectors.

Richard Simon-Lewis added:

UKEF is renowned for its innovative and flexible support for exporters, and for many reasons this is a hugely exciting time to join the department. I look forward to helping even more companies in the civil, infrastructure and energy sectors succeed in the global marketplace.