Ged Heffernan OBE MBA BSc PGCE

Building on more than two decades of manufacturing, programme management, product development and venturing experience in the corporate sector, Ged established the management consultancy service Fern Innovation Limited in 2011.  Alongside this, Ged has combined the roles of Director of River Power Pod Limited since 2015, Consultant for Chamber Low Carbon since 2018, Director of RDC Technologies since 2019, and Co-Founder and Group Board member at RedCAT since 2019.

Transitioning from education into the manufacturing sector, Ged has held diverse operations and programme management roles across Aerospace, Defence, Motorsport, Industrial Power and conveyor chains, with Rolls-Royce plc, BAE Systems, Renold Chain, Mercedes-Benz F1 and IndyCar.  Culminating in Rolls-Royce PLC positions as Project Director, Vice-President – Corporate Venturing, non-exec director of Rolls-Royce portfolio businesses, and, ultimately, CEO of the company’s Tidal Generation Limited start-up venture.  His academic achievements continued in parallel, with an MBA from Alliance Manchester Business School, which he completed in 2006.  Having been well and truly bitten by the sustainable technology venturing bug, Ged incorporated his own consultancy, Fern Innovation Limited, in 2011 and has been providing support to start-up, SME and corporate businesses in developing and delivering new product introduction and growth programmes, with a clear focus on Sustainable technology, Manufacturing and Energy.

Alongside being a valued advocate for the Chamber’s Chamber Low Carbon and RedCAT initiatives, Ged’s passion for environmental responsibility and sustainable development is also profoundly demonstrated in his work for River Power Pod Limited, taking sustainable innovation and STEM training as far as Africa to support development of skills and capabilities required to bring fresh water and energy to schools and communities.

In 2024 Ged was awarded an OBE in the King’s Birthday Honours List, for services to business and to technology.  This honour recognised Ged’s dedication and impact within the business community, reflecting on a career of significant experience and solid commitment to fostering innovation and sustainability on a worldwide scale.