Rachael has over 15 years’ experience in industry-led applied research within materials chemistry connecting people to speed up innovation, solve problems and find markets for new ideas across industries and technologies, with focus on Chemical-using industry challenges and opportunities in Formulated Products, Composites, Graphene and Novel Materials for Energy Production and Storage.
Grant funding in UKRI competitions
Rachael holds a PhD in Chemistry from Bangor University on opto-electronic materials for solar applications and has co-authored strategies for the UK Photovoltaic (2010, 2013) and Formulated Products (2018) sectors. She has a demonstrable track-record of securing grant funding for clients across a variety of UKRI competitions.
Prior to joining PNO
Prior to joining PNO, Rachael spent 3 years at KTN in the Chemistry and IB team with responsibility for Formulation. During that role Rachael has built connections across KTN sectors as an active participant in delivering the Graphene SIG with responsibility for Formulation and Batteries, supporting the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund (ISCF) Batteries workshop. Rachael hosted a workshop on behalf of the CGP to explore Chemistry opportunities in Composites with senior chemical company stakeholders, which led to me securing £1M budget from IUK/KTN to run a 12-month Special Interest Group “Materials for Composites” to stimulate and accelerate cross sector innovation.
Expertise in research and innovation
Rachael has built a considerable network of senior industry stakeholders across the materials, chemistry and formulation sectors and supported key strategy groups (including the Chemistry Growth Partnership (CGP), NCC and CPI), gaining a broad range of experience by working across research and innovation, industry consulting and managing cross sector programmes requiring diplomacy and political awareness, both important attributes in innovation consultancy.
Access her expertise on projects, markets and research and connect to UK and EU public funding calls and programmes.
