ZX Lidars is pleased to announce the appointment of Alex Woodward as Managing Director, succeeding founder and life-long ZX’er Ian Locker, who has stepped down from the role after more than 20 years leading the business.
Ian has been instrumental in shaping ZX Lidars from its earliest beginnings into the world’s leading provider of wind Lidar technology. Over the past three decades, he has overseen the development and commercialisation of Lidar systems that have fundamentally influenced how wind is measured globally, supporting the growth and bankability of wind energy projects across both onshore and offshore markets.
Alex brings over 20 years of experience within ZX Lidars and Fred. Olsen-related companies, having held a number of senior leadership roles across commercial strategy, product development and global market expansion. Most recently serving as Commercial Director, he has played a central role in the company’s growth, including the development and market positioning of the ZX 300 and ZX 300e product range and the continued expansion of ZX Lidars’ global customer base.
Alex and Ian have worked closely and tirelessly throughout this period bringing 1000’s of wind Lidars to hundreds of countries globally to progress wind projects in a safer, faster, cheaper and greener way than previously possible. Ultimately, they have changed the way the industry measures wind.
Nick Emery, Chief Executive Officer of Fred. Olsen Ltd (parent company of ZX Lidars), commented: “ZX Lidars is a standout business within the Fred. Olsen investment portfolio, built on technical excellence, strong values, and a clear sense of purpose. Ian’s contribution over more than two decades with us has been exceptional - he has not only built a successful company, but has helped shape an entire industry. We are delighted to appoint Alex as Managing Director. He brings deep knowledge of the business, strong commercial leadership, and the confidence and support of both the Board and the wider team. We believe he is exceptionally well placed to lead ZX Lidars into its next chapter.”
Reflecting on his time with the business, Ian Locker said: “It has been an extraordinary journey to see ZX Lidars grow from a single idea – ‘vapourware’ - into the global leader it is today. I am immensely proud of what has been achieved by the team over the past 20 years in particular, and of the role ZX has played in advancing wind energy around the world. Alex has been a key part of that journey for many years, and I am delighted to see him take on the role of Managing Director. The business is in safe hands, and I look forward to supporting him during the transition and beyond.”
Commenting on his appointment, Alex Woodward said: “It is a privilege to take on the role of Managing Director at ZX Lidars. Having been part of the business for over two decades, I have seen first-hand the impact that our technology and our team, our ZX Family, has had on the global wind industry. Ian’s leadership has created a strong foundation both technically and culturally. The opportunities ahead for ZX are significant. As the wind industry continues to evolve, the role of accurate, reliable wind measurement becomes ever more critical. Our focus will be to build on our position as the global leader in wind Lidar, continuing to develop new applications, strengthen our core markets, and ensure we deliver the highest standards of performance and support to our customers worldwide.”
ZX Lidars is committed to supporting the global transition to renewable energy through the continued development of advanced wind measurement technology and services.
About ZX Lidars (formerly ZephIR Lidar)ZX Lidars provides industry-leading wind lidar products ZX 300e, ZX 300M and ZX TM for wind energy and meteorological applications. These Lidars deliver accurate wind measurements in both onshore and offshore applications at measurement heights / ranges across the full swept area of the blades of modern wind turbines, and beyond. With more than 30 million hours of operation in the field and over 15,000 deployments (and counting), ZX Lidars has pioneered the use of Lidar in the wind industry. The company is proud of the many world firsts it has achieved with customers including: upwind measurements from a turbine nacelle, turbine wake studies, offshore deployments of both fixed and floating wind lidar, an industry-accepted validation process, re-financing and re-powering of a wind farm, successful demonstration of measurement accuracy in a wind tunnel and total wind project financing from a lidar without need for a met mast.
PRESS CONTACT
Jonathan Collings | Alesia Communications | FR +33 (0) 652 694 221
