Behind First Light Fusion is a team of nearly 100 talented scientists, engineers, technicians and business experts. Our team come from a range of backgrounds but are all united by a passion for realising fusion energy at scale.
In the latest installment of our ‘Meet the Team’ series, we hear from our new CEO Mark Thomas, who tells us what makes him so excited to join the fusion movement, and why ‘there is never a dull moment’ when you’re part of the First Light team.
What is your role at FLF?
I’m First Light’s Chief Executive Officer, working as part of the Executive Team and the Board. I guide the company’s strategy and future plans, develop relationships with governments, industry partners and investors, and lead fundraising efforts. In a relatively small business like First Light, the truth is, in any role, you need to be adaptable and ready to step up to a challenge. There is never a dull moment, and the work is extremely varied, which is something I love about the role.
What did you do before FLF and why did you want to join the First Light team?
Before First Light, I had a career in aerospace & defence. I was a Chief Engineer at Rolls-Royce aerospace for many years, and CEO of a private UK/US technology business, pioneering hypersonic propulsion for defence and advanced cooling technologies for sustainable aviation. I enjoy opportunities with a strong sense of purpose, teamwork, and the chance to work on cutting edge technology and innovation. First Light’s mission instantly appealed to me on many levels; there is a global energy imperative and the opportunity to join such an impressive, expert and highly likeable team in the fusion space was too good to miss!
What most excites you about the future of fusion energy?
Fusion has tremendous potential as a source of clean and secure energy for everyone. This will require the brightest minds and smartest technology to come together to solve enormous technical challenges for humanity – all very exciting! There has been a noticeable shift in the fusion sector recently, fuelled by recent breakthrough technical achievements, VC investment and geopolitics. You can feel a real sense of growing interest from innovators, investors and the public sector – all of whom really believe in the viability of fusion. There is a huge amount still to do, but there really has been no better time to jump into this sector and seize the opportunity to make a difference for future generations.
What advice do you have for someone interested in working in fusion or physics?
There are so many different routes into the fusion sector and the opportunities are limitless. There will be an ever-growing demand for talent as private companies and national organisations race to take their fusion plans forward. First Light is a great example of a company employing a truly diverse range of skills, from PhD scientists to manufacturing technicians, engineers, programme managers and the full range of operations, commercial and finance roles. We are bonded by our curiosity and desire to make a positive difference to the world.
What you’re not at work, what do you enjoy doing?
As CEO, my mind is always on the business and working weeks are full on, but downtime when it comes will find me pursuing my passions of vinyl records, art, and all things aviation, especially vintage aircraft. Given the opportunity, I will shoot off to a record fair, art gallery, aircraft museum or airshow. My growing collections sadly don’t yet include a P-51D Mustang warbird, but I have several vintage flying jackets in preparation for that one day… I was always happiest on a ski slope, having lived near the Austrian Alps and with a previous business at the foot of the Colorado Rockies. I now enjoy walking my 3 dogs, taking city breaks with my wife and the simplicity of weekend coffee.
What is your favourite thing about working at First Light?
As soon as I walked through the door at First Light, I felt something truly special and immediately wanted to be part of it. It’s an amazing team under this one roof in Oxfordshire, backed by groundbreaking capabilities, palpable enthusiasm for the cause and a real ‘can-do’ spirit. First Light is a fantastic working environment and I am extremely excited to be leading the team on its pathway to future fusion power. It is a great privilege to represent the company externally and I look forward to more opportunities to do that to come.
