New UK leadership marks a new phase for Kyoto Fusioneering’s expanding operations in the UK
A new board for Kyoto Fusioneering UK (KFUK) has been formed, comprising Dr. Colin Baus (Vice President of Research and Commercialisation), Dan Marter (General Manager of Kyoto Fusioneering UK), Takashi Imai (Director and Chief Corporate Management Officer), and Yuto Yoshioka (Vice President of Business Development and Operations). Together, they will lead KFUK through its next stage of development.
This transition coincides with the decision by Co-Founder Richard Pearson to step back from his current role at the end of July 2025. Richard has been a driving force since KF’s inception, and his support has been instrumental in preparing the company for this next phase.
As a Co-founder, Richard’s contributions predate the company itself—born from collaborative discussions at Kyoto University that sparked the idea for KF. Over the past six years, he has played a pivotal role in building and shaping the company—securing and delivering its first commercial contracts, establishing the UK presence, forging strategic relationships, and amplifying KF’s voice on the global stage. His technical work has also included key contributions in areas such as blanket systems and supply chain analysis.
“This has been an extraordinary journey—one that has allowed me to be hands-on at every stage of building and that has taught me far more than I could ever have imagined. Stepping back feels like the right timing and a natural next step—not only for me, but for the company, as KF moves into its next phase, focusing on expanding and refining the products it is already delivering to market,” said Richard.
Richard will remain connected to KF as a co-founder, shareholder, and trusted supporter of both the UK and international business.
KFUK’s new leadership team reflects the company’s commitment to strengthening its development and delivery capabilities. Colin Baus, already Vice President of Research and Commercialisation at KF, relocated from Japan to the UK in early 2025 and will now formally lead KFUK as its new Head. With this refreshed team in place, KFUK is well-positioned to accelerate its growth and contribute even more directly to the delivery of fusion energy solutions.
Satoshi Konishi, Co-Founder and CEO of Kyoto Fusiooneering, said:
“Richard’s impact on Kyoto Fusioneering has been nothing short of foundational. We are grateful not only for what he has helped build, but also for the way he has worked—with integrity, curiosity, and optimism every step of the way. We look forward to continuing our collaboration in new ways.”
Colin Baus, now Head of Kyoto Fusioneering UK, commented:
“Richard helped us imagine the impossible—and then made it real. As we enter this new chapter, KFUK is not just continuing that legacy, we’re accelerating it. Our team brings together world-leading expertise in advanced plant technology and is ready to push boundaries, challenge assumptions, and deliver fusion innovations that redefine what’s possible.”
Kyoto Fusioneering’s strategy remains clear and focused. With an expanding global footprint and deepening partnerships across science, industry, and government, the company continues to develop the enabling technologies that will make fusion energy a reality.
Above all, we honour Richard’s outstanding contributions over the past six years—particularly his vision, leadership, and unwavering belief in what Kyoto Fusioneering could become. His work has shaped not only our business, but also our culture and global outlook. We look forward to supporting each other in the chapters ahead.
From left in the front row – Dan, Richard, and Colin; behind them, members of the KFUK team at our Culham office.
