Experience

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  CPI

  • United Kingdom
  • Research Services
  • 700 & Above Employee

  • Chief Technologist - Digital

    • Feb 2022 - Present

  • Manager High Throughput and Informatics

    • Apr 2017 - Feb 2022

    Managing a team engaged in a wide range of projects creating an infrastructure that is ultimately all about data and enabling its transformation into knowledge:-* Establishing large-scale data creation using high throughput & lab automation, use of Design of Experiment, workflow and visualisation tools.* Introducing Biovia ELN, Pipeline Pilot and Experiment structured data capture system.* Leading development of analysis and data pipelining methods to automate and standardise experimental data analysis – and move away from Excel For Everything.* Creating advanced model-based process control and data collection systems for processes.* Utilising Process Analytics Technologies for data generation to model and control complex liquid and particle processes

  • Project Manager & Team Leader

    • Jul 2015 - Mar 2017

    Leading major change programme, safely establishing new laboratory and office facilities at NETPark and a significant capital procurement programme to help create CPI's Formulation platform supporting and developing innovations in formulation and flexible manufacturing.

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  AkzoNobel Powder Coatings

  • Netherlands
  • Chemical Manufacturing
  • 700 & Above Employee

  • Colour and Design Team Leader

    • Jan 2011 - Dec 2014

    I was responsible for successfully delivering global projects to improve colour measurement and sharing of colour information, enabling efficiency improvements in colour formulating lab and factory operations. I worked with stakeholders within the business to spread and enhance colour formulating best practice and interfaced with other AkzoNobel businesses and external suppliers to locate and implement best solutions for our colour management needs.I led a great team to create a novel solution for colour gamut prediction, enabling for the first time objective choices to be made about pigment selection.I championed the introduction of a new instrument for measuring the complex appearance of “effect” coatings and led the development of a software app to enable searching of a database of appearance data, simplifying lab formulation processes.

  • Senior Research Scientist

    • Mar 2005 - Dec 2010

    I led a series of significant projects developing automated / HT methods and equipment to formulate and optically test potential new products, also providing the major technical input in each case. Typically this involved prototyping methods for sample formulation, curing and measurement and then managing engineering development of prototypes into fully realised systems by key suppliers and contractors. Additionally I provided key materials physics input to other projects, including a breakthrough in understanding the origins of surface texture in certain types of coatings.The Applied Research Group was a stand-alone R&D facility so it was vital that I communicated effectively and regulary with our internal customers to ensure I understood their requirements and, equally importantly, to ensure they understood what they needed.This position was originally with ICI, now part of AkzoNobel following takeover at end 2007.

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  Accent Optical Technologies (now Nanometrics)

  • York

  • Applications Engineer

    • Oct 2003 - Mar 2005
    • York

    Project leader for final development and testing phase of a new semiconductor metrology tool based on a photoluminescence technique. Customer support and applications development also featured strongly in this role.To succeed in this role I had to rapidly acquire new technical knowledge regarding the materials application, the specific technology involved and the silicon semiconductor industry.

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  Bede Scientific Instruments (now Jordan Valley)

  • Durham, United Kingdom

  • Applications Scientist

    • Nov 1997 - Sep 2003
    • Durham, United Kingdom

    • Working with industrial and academic partners, I led a development team producing a novel on-line X-ray analysis instrument for use in the chemicals and pharmaceuticals industries to monitor crystallisation in reactors in real time. Managed on site implementation of instrument at “beta-test” customer and actively supported Sales and Marketing drive.• Developed chemical and pharmaceutical applications in support of Sales and Marketing.• Managed technical relationship with major international OEM customer, with responsibility for our joint product integration, optimisation, quality and service issues.

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  Durham University

  • Post-doctoral Research Scientist

    • Oct 1993 - Sep 1997

    At the Interdisciplinary Research Centre in Polymer Science and Technology I studied the adsorption dynamics of surfactant polymers at fluid interfaces.• Careful experimental design and use of appropriate technology dramatically enhanced the sensitivity and reliability of a Laser Light Scattering apparatus to study fluid interfaces.• These improvements led to the observation of novel physical and chemical surface effects. • Supervised 8 workers including 3 successful PhD students on experiment.• Enhanced communication skills by leading class teaching and presenting research at conferences and in peer-reviewed journals.

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  Institut Charles Sadron

  • Strasbourg, France

  • Research Assistant

    • May 1992 - May 1993
    • Strasbourg, France

    I investigated novel liquid crystal materials based on the porphyrin ring structure using X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis and polarised optical microscopy, publishing paper on work.