ChargeSafe, one of the UK’s leading safety and accessibility accreditations for EV charging infrastructure, is announcing a transition in leadership as Founder and CEO Kate Tyrrell steps down, licensing the company’s services to Chris Cheetham, CEO of Safer Charging.
Since its founding in 2021, ChargeSafe has established itself as a nationally recognised standard in EV infrastructure, pioneering efforts to make public EV charging safer, more accessible, and more inclusive.
Reflecting on the journey, Kate Tyrrell said:
“In just a few short years, ChargeSafe has grown from an idea into a nationally recognised standard, working closely with industry leaders to set benchmarks for safety, accessibility, and trust. I am immensely proud of what we have achieved together and of the positive impact ChargeSafe has already had on drivers, businesses, and communities.”
Following a personal bereavement in 2024, Tyrrell said she made the difficult decision to step back from her role as CEO to prioritise her health and wellbeing.
“This choice comes from a place of honesty and reflection, as I focus on healing, regaining balance, and continuing to grow both personally and professionally,” she said. “ChargeSafe has always been bigger than one person – it is a movement towards safer, fairer charging for all.”
Looking to the future, Tyrrell has chosen to license the ChargeSafe Accreditation and Inspection products to Chris Cheetham, CEO of Safer Charging, ensuring the company’s mission continues to thrive under trusted leadership, she explained.
“Chris shares the same commitment to safety, quality, and inclusivity that has been at the heart of ChargeSafe since day one. I trust him implicitly to continue the work we began,” Tyrrell affirmed.
Chris Cheetham brings with him extensive experience from Safer Charging, which already provides specialist services including independent audits for private EV networks.
The integration of ChargeSafe’s public inspection and accreditation tools complements his team’s established expertise, he added.
“What Kate has achieved with ChargeSafe is nothing short of incredible,” said Cheetham. “To do so with a brand that is now the trusted standard in ensuring charge point safety, accessibility and inclusivity should be rightly applauded.”
Cheetham emphasises a seamless continuation of the ChargeSafe mission:
“We are humbled and excited to continue building on the fantastic foundations ChargeSafe has laid. We will always push for higher standards, give a voice to marginalised communities, and press on toward our vision of a world where EV chargers are trusted to just work, safely.”
Partners and stakeholders can expect the same rigorous standards, advocacy, and delivery – now strengthened through the alignment of ChargeSafe and Safer Charging, the firms said.
“It’s a real honour to be entrusted with continuing the ChargeSafe story,” added Cheetham. “I look forward to working with existing partners and champions of the scheme and introducing many others to the merits of ChargeSafeapproval for charging sites, hardware and team training.”
As this new chapter begins, both Tyrrell and Cheetham said they remain committed to the shared goal: creating a safer, more inclusive future for every EV driver.
