Banpu beefs up Energy Technology Group backed by ‘Greener & Smarter’ technology

James Rama Phataminviphas serves as chief executive officer and Kanokwan Jitchobtham as managing director of Banpu Infinergy Co Ltd, along with Chanit Suwanparin as managing director of Banpu Electric Vehicle Business.
The firm said it was gearing up the business group “towards innovation and technological development with a ‘Greener & Smarter’” and an international business model that “builds on smart city solutions”.
“To achieve sustainable growth, Banpu consistently ensures that we stay abreast of abrupt changes in technology and consumer demands in the digital era,” said CEO Somruedee Chaimongkol. “While the energy trend is today shifting towards decarbonised, decentralised and digitalised power generation, Banpu has introduced the ‘Greener & Smarter’ strategy across our three core business groups – Energy Resources, Energy Generation and Energy Technology – to bring about synergised effects of this implementation. 
“We are continuingly engaged in energy technology research and development alongside constant development of our people, business operations and management. Most recently, we have strengthened our high-level management team with appointment of business executives who are well-versed in technology and have insightful understanding of consumer behaviour and needs.”
James is responsible for business planning and strategies as well as overall management of the Energy Technology Business Group. Under his guidance, the group will ensure its alignment with the Greener & Smarter strategy and become more competitive with expanded capability to offer a more comprehensive array of products, services and solutions.
James has more than 24 years of multi-industry experience that spanned banking, finance and telecommunication. He is an executive keen on technology-driven business transformation to achieve greater efficiency and competitiveness. 
In the banking sector, he was most recently country head of Channels and Digitalisation at United Overseas Bank (Thai), with more than 1,500 people under his leadership. He also has extensive work experience in overseas telecommunication markets including the US and China. 
Kanokwan continues as managing director of Banpu Infinergy, a one-stop provider of total solar energy and smart city services. Her key responsibilities include company management, business development and pursuit of new opportunities to strengthen the group’s business portfolio.
Kanokwan spent more than nine years working in Banpu’s legal department, where she was engaged in contract management and project M&A in many countries where Banpu invested. She was also part of the management team steering its major restructuring and she was one of the founding members of Banpu Infinergy, giving her a deep understanding of the various business units. 
She stays alert for growth opportunities and partnerships that will further strengthen the business ecosystem, such as investment in Sunseap Group, Durapower Technology (Singapore) and Fomm Corp. 
Chanit will lead the EV business unit with a “mobility as a service” concept, which is focused on offering end-to-end electric vehicle and mobility services by combining hardware and software technologies to address current urban needs. 
He will also explore opportunities to extend the group’s capability and competitiveness in terms of technology and integrated solutions as well as delivery of all-encompassing services to customers.
Chanit has more than 30 years of management experience in key roles at many leading companies. He is recognised for his ingenuity and product development acumen, which often use innovation to add values to products and increase overall competitiveness. 
Prior to joining Banpu, he was managing director at TAC Consumer, where he was part of the executive team that successfully listed it on the Market for Alternative Investment. Career highlights include key positions at Green Spot (Vitamilk), Cerebos (Thailand) and Unilever Holdings (Thailand), as well as at the Marketing Association of Thailand. 
“We are confident that the strengthened team will contribute significantly to extend BANPU as a leading supplier of integrated energy solutions with service that are always abreast of consumer behaviour and global energy trends,” said Somruedee.