Nicholas Assef LLB(Hons) LLM MBA Grad Dip LP
Founder and CEO of Battery Pollution Technologies

A staunch environmentalist, with a particular focus on both oceans and land, Nicholas was previously a lawyer with Allen Allen & Hemsley before changing careers to investment banking in 1998 and subsequently founding the award-winning boutique investment bank LCC Asia Pacific in 2004.

Nicholas has worked in the engineering and technical services sector for over 20 years, including in renewables development. He is also the Founder of Halo Renewable Energy which is developing various renewable projects – including the Utility Scale Dumaresq Solar Farm in Northern NSW.

With extensive academic credentials, Nicholas has also undertaken specialist studies at each of Harvard Business School, the University of Cambridge and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (in Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence). He is currently working towards his Doctor of Philosophy degree.

Nicholas has spoken at numerous conferences in Australia and overseas and writes frequently on subject matter that includes growth strategy, optimising shareholder value and the boosting of industrial performance as a result of technology (including through automation).

Nicholas is an active philanthropist and has been named a ‘Gamechanger’ For Asia by the London based ACQ5 Industry Awards for each of 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021.

Professor Scott Donne BSC BSC(Hons) PhD (Chemistry)

Dr. Scott Donne is a Professor of Chemistry at the University of Newcastle, Australia and a recognised leader in the field of chemical engineering in relation to batteries and energy storage (amongst other fields).

Scott has over 30 years combined industrial and academic experience researching materials for energy storage and conversion systems, including batteries, supercapacitors and fuel cells. Scott was the University Medallist in his Honours Year and obtained his PhD in 1996 from the University of Newcastle, focused on manganese oxides for energy storage systems.

This was followed by stints at the University of California, Santa Barbara (post-doctoral research fellowship), and Eveready Battery Company (Staff Technology Engineer). In 2001 he returned to Australia to take the Delta EMD Australia Lectureship in Applied Chemistry again at the University of Newcastle. Scott has also been a visiting professor at the University of Nantes, France, Beijing Institute of Technology, China, National Taiwan University, Taiwan, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA. Most recently, he was a Fulbright Senior Scholar, enabling him to visit Argonne National Laboratory and the University of California, Los Angeles.

Scott consults to a number of leading international battery manufacturers. Dr Donne is a key point of collaboration & contact with the University of Newcastle on 4 specific initiatives relating to recycling technology that are being advanced by Battery Pollution Technologies.

Dr. Oliver is a postdoctoral researcher and academic at the University of Newcastle.

With a PhD in chemical engineering, two bachelor's degrees in mechanical and environmental engineering, and a chartered professional engineer status, Dr. Oliver is an expert in carbon utilisation strategies and technologies, and inventor for a number of international patents. He has gained valuable insights from his work in academia, industry, and consulting, and has presented his research internationally.

Dr Oliver’s role with Battery Pollution Technologies is focussed on the operational deployment of the low energy, low carbon footprint hydrometallurgy process – with the company’s pilot plant scheduled for construction and commissioning in Q1 2024.

Joe Brereton BEc MAppFin

Joe is driving the development of both commercial and corporate opportunities, not only in Australia but also across the broader Asia Pacific region. This involves fostering strong collaborations with various industry stakeholders and esteemed universities.

Joe is also a distinguished senior executive in LCC Asia Pacific's investment banking team, with expertise in energy transition capital markets and advancements within the battery industry. Throughout his tenure, Joe has provided valuable financial advice and strategic growth execution for numerous battery technology firms.

Ellen Foy – Research Analyst

As a research analyst with Battery Pollution Technologies, Ellen’s role is to support key commercial objectives, which includes both assisting on ongoing industry research in addition to working specifically on the machine learning / data analysis aspects of the recycling and supply chain verification processes.

Ellen is currently completing her Bachelor of Economics with a Finance Major at UTS.

Dr. Frank Mendham MEng PhD RPEQ

Frank Mendham has been involved in dangerous goods, hazardous area classification, hazardous area design and Industrial Fire and Risk Engineering for several decades and currently is a Fellow and the national president of the Australasian Institute of Dangerous Goods Consultants (AIDGC). Frank a is a strong advocate of applying robust scientific methods to industrial fire and risk challenges. Frank has represented AIDGC, FPAA and IFE on both national and international Technical Committees for the development of new and revised technical Standards. Frank has been involved in power conversion and battery storage systems since 1977.

Frank is a key advisory panel member on all things safety and hazard - which are critical areas for development in part of the Battery Pollution Technologies business model - in particular relating to the safety of First Responders & the transportation of damaged battery cells.

Peter Carter B Com

Peter is an Advisory Board member and specialist consultant to Battery Pollution Technologies - with a focus on assisting in the development of domestic and international markets and operational excellence.

Peter is a seasoned entrepreneur who commenced his entrepreneurial career with a buyout of Western Australia’s largest ceramic tile distributor, Crosby Tiles, in 1988.

At the time he was 29 years old and the General Manager of the company.

Peter has a Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce from the West Australian Institute of Technology (now Curtin University).

He is still the Managing Director and a major shareholder in Crosby Tiles today.

Peter is also the Chairman and a major shareholder in the highly successful international safety boot manufacturer and distributor Steel Blue (Footwear Industries Pty Ltd).

Peter was a cornerstone investor in Steel Blue and has played an integral role in overseeing the business from start up to becoming the largest safety boot manufacturer and distributor in Australia and New Zealand with a growing international footprint in the USA, Europe and the UK.

Peter was also a Director and Vice Chairman of the West Coast Eagles in the AFL from 2011 to 2019.

During his time at the Eagles the club enjoyed a significant period of success including winning the 2018 AFL premiership. He continues to chair the Eagles Leadership and Integrity Committee.

Tony Simonsen

Tony has had a long and successful career leading multi-national companies locally and globally and brings a depth of experience across all forms of technology and industry services.

Tony had held senior leadership roles with organisations such as Cisco, EMC, Equinix Avaya and Polycom and as most recently the Chief Operating Officer of Payapps, a leader in the construction technology arena.

Tony’s brings a depth of leadership experience that allows teams the ability to grow and develop as well as thrive in growing marketplaces. His specific role in Battery Pollution Technologies is to assist with the development of the application of novel data technology in various operational aspects of the battery recycling process.

Nicholas Herps B Com MBA

Nicholas Herps has acted as a Special Advisor to LCC Asia Pacific since 2013 and has had a personal & business relationship with its founder for more than 25 years.

Nicholas is an Advisory Board Member and specialist consultant to Battery Pollution Technologies - with a focus on the development of scientific and commercial relationships with leading Australian and International Universities.

Nicholas’ career has included roles as Senior Investment Advisor to a senior member of the Abu Dhabi Royal Family for a decade, including the role of Managing Director of Abu Dhabi Capital.

He has also had a variety of specialist leadership roles in the property sector, including as an Independent Property Developer and as Chief Operating Officer of Villaworld, a large Australian Stock Exchange listed property company.

Chris Allen BSc MBA

Chris is an Advisory Board member and specialist consultant to Battery Pollution Technologies - with a focus on assisting in the development of domestic and international government relations and commercial execution.

Chris has more than 25 years’ experience in the development and funding of large scale infrastructure and industrial projects.

For the past five years Chris has served in role of Managing Director at the Commonwealth Government’s Infrastructure and Project Financing Authority leading an in-government financial and commercial advisory team for high priority projects.

Chris’ extensive experience enables the provision of valuable strategic commercial and financial advice, particularly with regard to large scale acquisitions, divestments and restructurings, project and structured finance and capital raisings for the development of large scale projects.