- Mark Thomas joins First Light Fusion as permanent CEO of the business
- The appointment brings Mark’s three decades of operational, engineering and executive experience to First Light
- Mark will drive the business forward as it looks to achieve revenue generation this year
10 FEBRUARY 2025: OXFORD, UK – First Light Fusion (“First Light”), the UK inertial fusion pioneer, is today announcing the appointment of Mark Thomas as its new Chief Executive Officer.
Effective immediately, Mark will lead the company into its next chapter as it continues to advance its mission of commercialising fusion energy and drive forward new commercial partnerships.
Mark brings over 30 years of expertise in the aerospace and defense industries, with an impressive career that includes senior leadership roles at Rolls-Royce. He is respected and renowned across various sectors for his ability to drive innovation and deliver on ambitious growth objectives.
He served as Chief Engineer at Rolls-Royce, working across multiple engine programmes and spearheading the company’s civil aerospace technology demonstrators and future initiatives. Mark also spent nearly a decade as CEO of Reaction Engines, where he led the development of advanced propulsion systems and thermal management technologies.
In addition to his extensive leadership experience, Mark also brings valuable expertise in fundraising and forging strategic commercial partnerships. He will provide strategic oversight of the business, lead on key stakeholder engagement and head up its leadership team.
Mark will undertake his first engagement at FusionX Invest in Silicon Valley on Wednesday 12th February, a global conference bringing together leading fusion investors, policymakers and pioneers.
Bart Markus, Chairman of First Light Fusion, said:
“I am delighted to welcome Mark to the team at this important time for the business and the fusion sector as a whole. He brings with him a strong engineering foundation, combined with a proven track record in technical innovation, leadership, and business growth and transformation. This positions him perfectly to guide First Light through our next phase of development.”
Mark Thomas, CEO of First Light Fusion, said:
“I’m thrilled to be joining First Light – an innovative, cutting-edge business with transformational technology and expertise. We are entering a new and important chapter of the business, which I am delighted to be leading alongside our Board, executive leadership and truly remarkable team. There is momentum behind fusion globally, and First Light – with its unique technology and capabilities – is well positioned to be a critical enabler in the commercialisation of fusion energy.”
