MBL's core team of experienced and enthusiastic scientists - chemists, biologists and biotechnologists - is supported by an extensive group of consultants and advisers in chemical engineering, seaweed resource management and other fields. Its directors are all seasoned executives from the global chemicals and biotechnology sectors, most of whom have expert understanding and experience in the marine biopolymers sector.
PhD Chemistry: Sandy’s extensive experience includes executive roles as Head of R&D, Production Director and MD of Kelco International, based in London, and VP Strategy/Marketing of Kelco, based in San Diego. He was also COO of Brent International plc and MD of Octel Petroleum Specialties. After 25 years in industry, he co-founded Cogency, a specialist advisor to private equity investment firms, conducting 200+ projects for them. He combined this role with board positions as Chairman of Evolva SA, Warwick International plc, Chemical Sciences Scotland and Synthace and non-executive director roles in Yule Catto plc and NiTech Solutions. Between Kelco and MBL, he has 30 years' experience in the marine biopolymer sector.
BSc Applied Chemistry. David started in Courtaulds R&D before commercial roles in Albright and Wilson, ultimately as a Business Unit Manager; he then switched to forest products as Marketing Director for a new UPM Kymmene pulp and paper mill before moving to its Group HQ in Finland as VP, Change Process then on to Germany as its Marketing Director. On return to Scotland, David set up his own investment business and also joined Cogency’s team of consultants before co-founding a £1bn plan for a new pulp/energy/chemicals plant in Scotland. This plan was derailed by the global financial crisis and he turned his attention to seaweed, linking with Douglas to create MBL. He now has 15 years’ experience in the marine biopolymer sector.
BSc Biochemistry: Douglas started in seaweed research at SAMS before joining Kelco R&D where he developed many process innovations which he subsequently installed as Production Manager on Kelco’s two Scottish sites. Following acquisition by Monsanto then ISP, he specialised in ERP system implementation becoming Global Business Systems Manager at ISP. Subsequently, he led the installation of new business processes at Weir Pumps before setting up his own business to work with large clients on systems development; he also lectured on this topic at Strathclyde University. After meeting David, he co-founded MBL. Across his time at SAMS, Kelco, Monsanto, ISP and MBL Douglas has almost 40 years’ experience in the marine biopolymer sector.
BTech Industrial Chemistry: Paul also started in Courtaulds R&D before an extensive commercial career at Albright and Wilson in both UK and Germany, becoming Head of Sales and Marketing for Europe; he moved to Brent International plc as Marketing Director then to Elementis plc as MD of its Pigments Division. He co-founded Cogency (with Sandy) and advised private equity on 200+ chemical transactions while also building a portfolio career; in particular, he became CEO of Unilever Ventures companies (Rahu and Catexel) achieving excellent exits for UV in each case before moving on to NXD Chairman roles at Duranta Energy and, currently, Scott-Bader. Paul invested in MBL soon after it was founded and became an NXD.
BSc Chemical Engineering, INSEAD Managers Programme: Allan has extensive experience in the global chemical industry. He was a Production Manager on several ICI sites, including a secondment to the US, before joining MTM, a highly acquisitive UK-listed speciality chemical company, as Operations Director over several sites. He moved to Ascot subsidiary, Pentagon Chemicals, as CEO in 1995 and, following Dow’s acquisition of Ascot in 2001, led a management buyout of Pentagon achieving significant growth of this business before selling to Vertellus in 2014. At that point, Allan invested in MBL and became an NXD.