Our People

Mikael Karlsson was appointed as CEO in April 2009 and has extensive senior management experience in global development, acquisition, financing and equity investments of energy and infrastructure assets.

His 19 years in the industry began in 1990 at ABB Equity Ventures, which developed and invested in independent power projects throughout the world. Over the next 12 years he held various senior management positions within the company including global head of development and new investments.

Mikael’s association with Globeleq started in 2002 while advising on acquisition opportunities in Africa and Asia. In 2003 he co-founded InfraInvest, which advised on energy and infrastructure investments and led to the inception of Arox Infrastructure and Arox Capital, focusing on the management of infrastructure funds.

Chris Ford is responsible for the management and operations of all Globeleq’s assets in Africa.  As a member of the Management Committee, he helps to implement the strategy and planning of Globeleq’s growth and development in the region.  Based in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Chris is also the Managing Director of Songas and is responsible for oversight of the Songas asset as well as maintaining stakeholder relations in the region. 

With more than 15 years of experiance in the energy sector, Chris joined Globeleq in 2006 as Songas' Commercial Manager and was appointed as Managing Director in August 2007. Prior to joining Globeleq, he was an Engineer at National Grid Company PLC and a Senior Energy Trader and General Manager of Enfield Energy, a merchant IPP trading in the UK gas and power markets.

Paul Kunert is responsible for coordinating all business development activities in Africa. As a member of the Management Committee, Paul is fully involved in the strategy and planning of Globeleq's growth and development.

With 14 years experience in developing, financing and managing power and other infrastructure projects he has been with Globeleq since its inception. From 2003-2007, he was Vice President for East Africa and the Managing Director of Globeleq's Songas project, managing its construction, operations and two expansions. Prior to this Paul successfully led the company's power acquisitions for both Tanzania and South Africa and the acquisition and development of the electricity distribution business in Uganda.

Paul was with CDC Group, from 1999-2002 where he developed, financed and managed power projects in India and sub-Saharan Africa.  Prior to 1999, he held positions in project and corporate finance, advising investors and off-takers in UK and European PPP schemes.

Isobel provides HR leadership across the business, driving the people agenda and corporate HR strategy; establishing the organisational culture and providing various programs and opportunities for employee development and involvement in the company.

After joining Globeleq in 2006 as HR Associate and providing expertise and advice to the African development and construction projects, Isobel has been a crucial member of the Globeleq team.  She was promoted to Human Resources Manager in 2009 focussing on corporate HR issues; providing HR support to the Globeleq Mesoamerica Energy business and implementing the company’s compensation and benefits scheme across the entire organisation. Isobel’s dedicated approach to the organisation and its people enabled her to take on the position of VP, Human Resources in January 2012.

Jay Gallegos is the Managing Director of Globeleq Mesoamerica Energy. He has over 25 years of experience in developing, constructing and operating renewable energy assets in the United States, Europe, Africa, Asia & Central America. 

Since 2004 he has led his dedicated team of professionals to growing the Globeleq Mesoamerica Energy business platform into the leading renewable energy company in the region. Most recently he provided executive oversight for the execution of the first wind project in Honduras, the 102MW Cerro de Hula wind farm, which was completed ahead of schedule and within budget.

Susan Wilkins oversees and manages responsibility for all financial, legal, and information technology aspects of the company and as a member of the Management Committee, is fully involved in the strategy and planning of Globeleq's growth and development.

With nearly 20 years of wide-ranging international experience in finance and accounting within the mining, power and energy industries, she joined Globeleq in 2006 as Group Controller with responsibility for group reporting, cash management and internal controls. Prior to Globeleq, Susan held a variety of senior financial and general management leadership roles with Duke Energy's power generation and natural gas asset and trading businesses in Asia Pacific and Europe.

Jake McConnell oversees all operational, engineering and technical development aspects for Globeleq's existing power assets and new projects.  He has over 28 years in the power industry, managing development, construction and commissioning of power plants in the emerging markets and USA and has been with Globeleq since 2003.

Jake brings an impressive history of successful project implementation with diverse fuel technologies ranging from natural gas, hydroelectric, solid fuel, liquid fuel, wind, and nuclear technologies.  He has brought to Globeleq a thorough and hands-on approach developed through his experience with El Paso Energy/Coastal Power, the Tennessee Valley Authority, Bechtel Corporation, Mississippi Power and Light and as an engineer in the US Navy.