Coating Tommorrow's Innovations - Developing the healthcare fabrics for the next generation of medical devices. Innovating in the field of blood pressure cuffs / tourniquets, bladders, support surfaces and gowns; SMART textiles, Zone Coatings and Dartex Repel.I am a member of EPUAP, a UK expert on the ISO mattress committee (TC173/WG11) and a member of the USA Support Surface Standards Initiative (S3i)https://www.trelleborg.com/en/engineered-coated-fabrics

Developing leading edge coated textile solutions for the healthcare industry. Our research focuses on improving the durability of products to meet the increasingly demanding cleaning regimes in hospitals and nursing homes, and creating products to effectively manage the microclimate around a patient. Responsible for all things Technical in both our UK (Nottingham) and US (Providence RI) sites I introduced a stage-gate development cycle and led a standardisation programme across both manufacturing sites. In 2013 we converted all of our products to our EcoFR halogen-free flame retardant system - a major undertaking!I am a member of EPUAP, a UK expert on the ISO mattress committee (TC173/WG11) and a member of the USA Support Surface Standards Initiative (S3i)http://www.dartexcoatings.com

I am commercialising Dartex's patented halogen-free flame retardant technology platform, MelaphosFR. We will soon be launching a range of new products, including fire resistant wallcoverings, fire-blocking fabrics and reinforced membranes, fire-resistant coated fabrics, fire-retardant solutions for textile finishing and flame retardant polymer masterbatches.http://www.dartexcoatings.com/technologies/melaphosfr-products/index.html

Smith and Nephew Extruded Films (SNEF) manufacture films, nets, tapes and laminated pad products, historically for sale into to the medical industry. As a Programme Manager in the New Business Development Group of the Commercial Team I was responsible for identifying new product and geographic markets where we could apply our knowledge, experience and manufacturing capability and managing programmes of work to allow us to enter these markets. I conducted market studies and determined the entry strategy for the markets, building our value proposition in the market as each programme progressed. I was responsible for maintaining a healthy portfolio of new business development opportunities to be delivered in the medium term, with a 2010 target of over £2m. In addition, I managed a portfolio of product development work for short-term delivery by the Innovation Team, with an annual sales target exceeding £1m. I worked across the whole business, conducting sales calls to customers, leading cross-functional project teams, negotiating with suppliers and conducting manufacturing trials on the shop floor.

As a Project Leader in the Innovation Team at Smith & Nephew Extruded Films I was responsible for the development and validation of new products for sale outside the Smith & Nephew group. I worked closely with customers and commercial colleagues to determine the customers’ key requirements when initiating a development. I ran trials in the factory and with third party converters to produce materials for evaluation, both in the laboratory and in customer trials. In this role I was responsible for the development of silver nets, laminated pads and films, which together represented a multi-million pound opportunity for the business. I also led a project to take on manufacture of three PU foam products for a major manufacturer of first aid dressings. In the first year alone this generated sales of over £500,000 and in total, my products have generated over £1.6m sales for SNEF.

Biocode develops systems to protect high value products and brands from counterfeiting and adulteration. I spent three years working in the research laboratories developing Biocode’s core technologies (immunoaffinity based marking systems), then worked as a Senior Technology Specialist in the Technical Service Department. I initiated and managed Biocode’s fuel marking projects in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Zambia (worth over $1million per annum) - tailoring marking systems to meet the customer's requirements, performing training, technology transfers, reviews and audits.