Dr Hichem Hakka is a senior leader with over 15 years of international experience across the energy, aerospace, automotive, petrochemical, and foundation industries. Currently Group Leader for Energy and Process Decarbonisation at the Materials Processing Institute, he leads a multidisciplinary team focused on delivering industrial-scale low-carbon solutions—including hydrogen integration, carbon capture and utilisation, electrification, and advanced process optimisation.
He holds a PhD in chemical process and product engineering and has a dual strength in experimental development and advanced modelling. His career includes high-profile roles at Shell, where he supported motorsport applications for Ferrari and Ducati, as well as contributing to major hazards and safety management initiatives; at Rolls-Royce, where he led hypersonic and future combat-jet engine systems; and in technology start-ups tackling environmental challenges.
Dr Hakka manages a broad project portfolio spanning R&D, commercial delivery, and strategy. He leads on people development, asset management, and safety, while building partnerships across industry and academia.
Multilingual and globally experienced, he brings a combination of deep technical expertise, operational delivery, and strategic vision to advancing industrial decarbonisation.
