Will has 30 years’ experience in the international chemical and oil & gas industries, where he has held a variety of executive roles, focusing on the development and commercialisation of new technologies within large organisations and start-ups. Will has a degree in industrial chemistry, a PhD in polymer physics and MBA from University of Edinburgh Business School.
Xiongwei has been responsible for the development of both the NiTech Solutions Crystallizer and the NiTech Solutions Reactor. He is Professor of Chemical Engineering at Heriot Watt University, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry and of the Institution of Chemical Engineers, and has over 20 years experience in oscillatory baffled reactors. He recognised that real value would only be created by applying the science to industrial applications and thus initiated his work on continuous polymerisation.
Worked in manufacturing roles at senior levels with ICI, Zeneca, FMC and Flexsys before launching start-up company Oxford Catalysts (now named Velocys) in 2005, where he became COO and helped lead its successful IPO and later its acquisition of Velocys. He was Head of Technology and then Head of Manufacturing for the Technology Strategy Board between 2009-14. He is now Chairman of HydRegen, ViridiCO2 and Irish Manufacturing Research, a non-executive director of the Chemical Industries Association and IfM Engage, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry, and runs his own consultancy company, WillB Consulting Ltd.
Founder and chairman of New Normal Consulting, he also chairs the advisory board for Infinity Recycling and is a Global Expert with the World Economic Forum. Previously, he worked with ICI, and was an Executive Director of one of ICI’s major global businesses.
Sandy is founding director and co-owner of Cogency Chemical Consultants, a specialist advisor to private equity and corporate clients on chemical sector mergers and acquisitions. He has over 30 years international experience in the chemical sector, including 25 years leading speciality chemical companies. He is Chairman of Marine Biopolymers and a former Chairman of Warwick International, Evolva SA, Chemical Sciences Scotland and non-executive director of Yule Catto plc (now Synthomer).
Andy has extensive experience in manufacturing within the chemical and process industries. Andy was a Site Manager for NOVA Innovene in the UK and France, and worked in a variety of technical and manufacturing roles for Shell Chemicals from 1986 – 1999. Andy is a Chemical Engineer, and a chartered member of the Institution of Chemical Engineers.
Alexander joined Oxford Investment Consultants, a venture capital firm specialising in University spinout companies, in 2019 after graduating from the University of Edinburgh. He has a number of board roles, such as with NiTech Solutions and Oxford Space Systems, and has conducted various research-based roles, including at New Street Research, an independent research boutique focused on the telecommunications and technology sectors globally, as well as with Seraphim Capital, the UK’s first dedicated space technology venture fund.
Kevin has extensive experience across a variety of sectors in electrical and electronics industries, including semiconductors, gas sensors and laboratory gas generation with over 20 years’ experience in commercially focused roles covering Europe, Middle East and Africa. Kevin was Regional Sales Manager EMEA for Peak Scientific working with customers in the pharmaceutical, chemical and research sectors from 2011-2022.
UMi caught up with Paul Hodges, chairman, NiTech Solutions.
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