TEAM
together on OUR JOURNEY
HVS is driven by its team, with each colleague working to a shared vision to revolutionise heavy duty transport and bring zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell commercial vehicles to market
The Executive management team
Abdul Waheed
Founder and CEO
Abdul is a seasoned technology entrepreneur with a with a profound dedication to hydrogen and AI technology.
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Over nearly three decades, Abdul has launched, grown, and successfully exited several tech startups, including ‘Techstar,’ specialising in hardware and software engineering, ‘Property Safety’ for autonomous safety certification, and ‘Time Tracker’ for cloud-based employee attendance tracking.
These ventures provided Abdul with end-to-end entrepreneurial experience and paved the way for HVS, which he founded in 2017. Recognising the importance of strong intellectual property to attract funding, Abdul became HVS’s Chief Innovation Officer in 2020. He developed the IP strategy that led to the creation of AI-SEMAS® Emissions Reduction Technology. Abdul has developed AI applications for education, healthcare, and stock trading, with multiple patents in progress.
Dr Charles Stone
Head of IP & Technology
Dr. Stone is a world-renowned expert in proton exchange membrane fuel cell technology and holds 15 fuel cell patents.
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Dr. Stone holds a PhD and MBA and is a world-renowned expert in proton exchange membrane fuel cell technology. He began his career in 1990 with Ballard Power Systems as a research scientist, advancing to Vice President of R&D by 2002, where he led the development of fuel cell technology and drove its adoption by key OEMs, including Daimler and Ford.
In 2007, he founded Eon Consultants Ltd., advising governments, corporations, and venture capitalists globally on clean energy strategy, technology, and partnerships. He holds a double MBA from UCLA and the National University of Singapore and has published extensively in scientific journals. Since 2021, he has worked full-time at HVS on fuel cell supplier selection and AI-SEMAS™ development.
Dr. David Telford
Chief Scientific Officer
Dr. Telford is a nuclear physicist who began his career at the UK Fast Reactor and is a Fellow of the Energy Institute.
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He holds a BSc, PhD, and CEng and has been with HVS since its inception, driving its mission to transform the Heavy Goods Vehicle market with sustainable, low-carbon solutions.
Dr. Telford’s expertise spans low-carbon innovations across heat, power, and transport, encapsulated in his "NetZero3" concept, which integrates renewable energy, smart energy systems, and demand storage to achieve net-zero goals. Notably, he designed and delivered net-zero heating and power systems for the £333M Aberdeen Event Complex.
At HVS, he invented the proprietary AI-SEMAS™ technology, optimising efficiency with up to 14% fuel savings for hydrogen trucks, 10% energy savings for battery vehicles, and 5% fuel savings for diesel trucks.
Jawad Khursheed
Director
As a highly successful entrepreneur and executive professional with +19 years of cumulative experience in strategy and business development, Jawad has showcased unparalleled expertise in leading HVS to remarkable heights. Since assuming leadership in 2020, he has adeptly navigated the company through the challenges posed by the pandemic while spearheading transformative initiatives.
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Under his direction, HVS has not only secured significant investments but also successfully delivered multiple vehicles and government-funded projects, positioning the company as a trailblazer in its sector. Jawad's strategic vision has been instrumental in propelling HVS towards the manufacturing stage, marking a pivotal milestone in the company's evolution.
Under Jawad's astute guidance, HVS has thrived, evidenced by the development of cutting-edge vehicle technology programs and the establishment of an impressive intellectual property portfolio. His leadership has enabled the team to achieve notable milestones, including the creation of four ground-breaking vehicle technology demonstrators. Jawad's unwavering commitment to innovation and strategic foresight has been instrumental in shaping HVS into an industry leader, driving the organisation towards a future defined by continued growth, innovation, and success.
Ian Palmer
Advisor
An internationally experienced Senior Executive with a specialisation in the automotive sector. Known for his exceptional ability to lead and motivate teams, Ian brings a wealth of experience that spans both large and small private equity, global groups, and a UK PLC. Ian's most previous role was Chief Financial Officer at Gordon Murray Group.
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Ian has played important roles in the turnaround of several prominent automotive companies, including SEAT, Bentley Motors, and Aston Martin. His financial acumen also extended to managing the profitability of proprietary supercar projects and 3rd party client programs.
Steve Fletcher
Chief Technical Officer
Steve has over 20 years of international experience in automotive engineering development and delivery, most recent assignments include leading the Sports Cars engineering delivery at Lotus Cars and supporting the delivery of the REE P7-C advanced BEV Light Commercial Vehicle.
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Steve's career has led between OEM, ESP, and Tier 1 supplier roles, including positions at Jaguar Land Rover, Tata Motors, Penso Consulting, Tata Technologies, Lotus Cars, and REE.
The things we live by
We get things done
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We cut through hype and speculation with a practical, hands-on approach. We embrace all ideas but set realistic objectives we can tackle together.
We love the work
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We love what we do, and we put our heart and soul into engineering change. We care about doing the right thing every time, bringing warmth, passion and commitment to all our endeavours.
We bring the best
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Our strong, experienced and highly diverse team is dedicated to change, and collaborates to create something greater than the sum of its parts.
We push ideas further
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We’re optimistic and future-facing. We truly believe that people have the capacity to take on life’s biggest challenges and discover the things that drive us forward.
Our Commitment to Diversity
At HVS we are committed to building a highly diverse team by way of backgrounds, gender and age.
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DIVERSITY
We aim to build a diverse mix of highly-qualified and collaborative individuals whom are dedicated to change and making a meaningful difference.
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collectively
This enables us to take on the biggest technical challenges and discover the things that collectively drive us forward.
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inclusivity
Our commitment to inclusivity gives everyone the greatest opportunities to excel in what they do best and drives a high performing workplace.
WE’RE HIRING
Are you a talented engineer or a brilliant sales person? Have you got a head for project management or a love of finance?
We’d love to hear from you.
If you would like to be part of the HVS Family, please feel free to leave your CV with us: