Chemoxy appoints Non-Executive Chairman

[7th Sep 2015] 2015 – Teesside-based Chemoxy, one of Europe’s largest independent contract manufacturers, has appointed David Greensmith as Non-Executive Chairman following an investment by BGF (Business Growth Fund) in February 2015. Paula Tinkler was also recently appointed as the Chemoxy’s new Commercial Director.

David has 30 years’ experience in the global chemicals industry including senior executive roles at ICI Group and Zeneca and as COO of Avecia Group, which was formed following a buy-out from Zeneca. After leading the sale of Avecia’s electronic materials portfolio to Fujifilm Japan, David went on to run the business, known as Fujifilm Imaging Colorants, and completed its integration into Fujifilm.

Since 2008, David has held a number of non-executive roles and is currently Non-Executive Chairman of Catexel. He was also Non-Executive Chairman of Warwick Chemicals sold to Lubrizol in 2014 and Aesica Pharmaceuticals, based in the North East, when it was sold to Consort Medical Plc also in 2014.

David will work with Chemoxy’s Chief Executive Ian Stark and his senior team in driving the strategy as they scale-up the firm’s operations through organic growth and possible acquisitions.

As part of these growth efforts, newly appointed Commercial Director Paula Tinkler will focus on developing the businesses’ product range, processes and partnership opportunities. Before joining Chemoxy, Paula held key positions for leading companies including European Resins Business Director at Lucite and Global Procurement Director at Mitsubishi Rayon Lucite Group.

Early this year, Chemoxy secured a £10m investment from BGF, the UK’s most active provider of growth capital, and an additional £10m of working capital from The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS). The business is using the funding package to make further investments in capital and plant over the next four years to increase capacity, expand its product and service range and drive growth.

Chemoxy produces a range of low-toxicity, environmentally-friendly solvents for paints, coatings, industrial and household cleaners and specialises in custom processing solutions for clients. The business has experienced rapid growth since it was acquired from Dow Chemicals in 2011 in an MBO led by CEO Ian Stark and COO Martyn Bainbridge, increasing turnover from £34m to around £50m today. It currently employs 137 people across two sites in Middlesbrough and Billingham.

Ian Stark, Chief Executive, Chemoxy commented: “We have clear ambitions for Chemoxy and the market opportunities we want to pursue. David’s network of contacts, his industry knowledge and his experience of running bigger businesses than ours will provide strong guidance around the strategic direction of the company and how we execute our plans.”

David Greensmith said: “The global chemicals industry presents a number of exciting opportunities for Chemoxy. The business has a highly experienced management team in place, is investing in its staff and apprentices and has a clear sense of direction. I am looking forward to working with Ian and his team to provide support and guidance as the business grows.      

“I have seen a renewed sense of optimism and confidence in small and mid-sized industrial businesses in the North of England. Together with new funding opportunities from BGF, this is a really positive development.”

Crowdfunder and JCDecaux launch a search for Britain’s 100 hottest tech start-ups

The UK’s No1 crowdfunding platform Crowdfunder and JCDecaux, the UK’s leading Outdoor Advertising company, have partnered to help rapidly scale up 100 start-ups across Britain.

CF_JCDecaux camapignNurture, JCDecaux’s new division, is working with Crowdfunder to find start-up businesses who want to grow, to help them market their brand or product with an exclusive support package – and the chance to win a specially designed advertising campaign for their needs.

For start-up businesses who fund their media budgets on Crowdfunder, Nurture will provide a marketing and design mentoring service and match funding enabling them to potentially double the value of their campaign.

They will also give tech start up businesses, which launch crowdfunding campaigns to fund their media spend by Nov 30th, the opportunity to win their own bespoke outdoor poster campaign. The winning start-up will be the project with the most amount of backers for their crowdfund.

The “Grow” campaign which targets start-up and SMEs – kicks off with an outdoor advertising campaign which rolls out this week, designed to encourage UK start-ups and SMEs to register their interest here as well as highlight the power of outdoor advertising campaigns to the start-up market.

The series of posters will run over the coming months and will feature the line ‘Your time is now’ as well as an integrated online campaign on Crowdfunder.

Maria Clarke said: “JCDecaux was founded on entrepreneurialism – it’s in our DNA. Nuture, our new division, is passionate about helping scale start-ups by putting brands in front of potential consumers whilst they are out of home and most alert. This partnership with Crowdfunder is truly pioneering and we believe it will help give hundreds of future-facing start-ups the help they need to become successful brands.”

Rob Love, Crowdfunder Chairman, said: “Crowdfunder has turned thousands of ideas into reality, helping businesses, social enterprises and charities across Britain validate their ideas – and unlock millions – through fund raising, match funding and additional support. Working in this way, with a world leading media company like JCDecaux to help start ups and SMEs, is ground-breaking and we are excited about the potential of what this partnership could achieve for businesses across the UK.”