Corio CEO Jonathan Cole leaves Macquarie-backed offshore wind group

Founding chief executive to be replaced by chair and Orsted veteran Samuel Leupold

. Jonathan Cole, CEO of Corio Generation.
. Jonathan Cole, CEO of Corio Generation.Corio Generation/Alistair Veryard Photography

Jonathan Cole is leaving his role as CEO of offshore wind developer Corio Generation, the Macquarie-backed company announced today.

Cole will from 31 January be replaced as CEO by Samuel Leupold, chair of Corio since it was launched in 2022 by the Australian finance giant to advance its ambitions in the global offshore wind sector.

Corio said Leupold brings 25 years of experience to the role, including as former CEO of Orsted Wind Power.

Leupold said: “Having been part of Corio’s journey since its inception I have seen first-hand how the company has coupled impressive growth with the development of a world class team under Jonathan’s leadership. I am excited to build on these foundations and to take the company through its next phase of development and project execution.”

Cole added: “It has been a great privilege to lead Corio since its launch, and I am very proud of the team and culture that we have created and the many successes that we enjoyed together over the past three years. I am excited to see how the company continues to progress under Samuel’s leadership.”

No reason for Cole's departure is given in a statement announcing the move beyond saying it was his decision, but Recharge understands it is for personal reasons.
Cole, also current chair of the Global Wind Energy Council, when Corio was founded told Recharge in an interview that the company and the team it had assembled meant his job was like leading "the Harlem Globetrotters of offshore wind".
Recharge understands Alejandro de Hoz, deputy CEO of Corio, will also leave the company, with Guillermo Martínez-Navas set to become chief development officer.
It emerged in 2024 that Macquarie is considering a full or partial sale of Corio, which has a 30GW portfolio spanning established offshore wind nations such as the UK and project interests in key emerging markets such as South Korea, Brazil and Ireland.
(Copyright)
Published 22 January 2025, 11:44Updated 22 January 2025, 13:53
Corio GenerationEurope