Oxford Biopigments is a start-up company with a passion for sustainable textile dyes and a simple question: how can we do things better?

Head of a multidisciplinary team of scientists based in the UK and US that was focused on improving GBL’s proprietary fermentation process. Responsible for providing strategic leadership for the group as well as developing personnel via coaching and mentoring. Worked as part of GBL’s cross-functional commissioning team during the start-up of its US based commercial plant. Led the project team responsible for set-up and initial operation of the plants microbiology and analytical laboratories as part of this programme.

Responsible for the company’s R&D project portfolio ensuring project prioritisation, tracking and completion and alignment with GBL’s strategic goals. Helped improve GBL’s project completion record through better monitoring of projects. Managed a number of strategically important R&D projects covering a range of disciplines including strain development, technology transfer and process scale-up. Projects involved a range of stakeholders from the UK, EU and US, with funding provided through commercial partnerships or grant funding from the EU or InnovateUK.

Successfully delivered numerous internal and grant funded projects. Oversaw project delivery by internal teams in the UK and US as well as coordination of external project partners in Europe. Was responsible for the delivery of all aspects of project management including business cases, project briefs, work package planning, resource allocation, risk management, financial forecasting and reporting, and partner reporting. Developed the company’s PRINCE2 tailored project management structure providing a suite of project management tools covering project initiation, delivery and project closeout.

Worked as part of the company’s strain development team to create improved bacterial strains. Developed innovative microbial selection processes and made the company’s first proprietary strain. Worked as part of a technology transfer team in China transferring GBL’s strains to a commercial partner. Actively assisted in trials from the laboratory through to commissioning of the full-scale plant.