Adam Atkinson
Process Technician
BSc (Hons)
Adam is the process technician for , taking the lead on prepregging runs and overseeing our pilot-scale lines as well as providing support to a number of other R&D projects. Adam studied Physics with Nuclear Technology at Nottingham Trent University where he graduated with a 2:1 Bachelor's degree (with honours).
Andy Phillips
Development Technician
Andy joined Coventive in 2014 and since then has provided technical support in a wide range of areas. A qualified electrician with a background in mining machinery, Andy is involved in the design & build of pilot-scale composites processing lines and associated control systems. He is also responsible for on-going plant maintenance and continuous improvement.
Angel Stubbings
Web Developer
BSc (Hons)
Angel graduated from Sheffield Hallam University in 2006 with a BSc (Hons) degree in Computing (Visualisation) and has been working as a web developer for 12 years. She joined NetComposites in 2011 where she took over the responsibility of building and maintaining all corporate and external websites. She has experience with Microsoft technologies primarily programming in ASP.NET C# but also has knowledge in coding with PHP and building WordPress websites.
Ben Hargreaves
Business Manager
BSc (Hons), MBA, PhD
Ben joined in 2009, initially working on the development of halogen-free fire retardant unsaturated polyester nanocomposites. He is currently responsible for the management of Coventive’s commercial services business, having previously led Coventive’s research and development activities in the field of nanocomposites. Prior to joining Coventive, he worked for Mettler Toledo Ltd, specialising in process analytical instrumentation for the chemical, pharmaceutical, semi-conductor and brewery sectors. He holds a degree and PhD in chemistry, both obtained at the University of Sheffield with the latter being sponsored by Sealed Air Ltd. He also holds an MBA from The Open University.
Bogdan Chabal
Development Engineer
MEng
Bogdan is a Development Engineer at , primarily focused on the development of graphene-enhanced composite systems. His other research activities include the investigation of cost-efficient carbon fibres for innovative light-weight applications. Bogdan graduated from the Institut Mines Télécom in France, with a MSc degree in Science Engineering specialising in manufacturing and characterising of polymer and composite materials. Before joining the company full time, he worked an intern investigating the development of fibre-reinforced foams with improved performance at extreme temperatures (cryogenics and fire) for use in the oil & gas and LNG industries.
Chris Hare
Research & Technology Manager
BA (Hons)
Chris is ’ Research & Technology Manager and has 16 years of direct composites manufacturing experience working in the design and supply of innovative composite components, working from concept, design and manufacture through to product supply and support to customers. Chris has experience of most composite manufacturing systems as well as commercial and collaborative project management . He has worked with thermoset and thermoplastic materials across a wide range of products and holds a BA Hons in Industrial Design.
Elliot Fleet
Project Manager
MChem, PhD
Elliot Fleet is a Project Manager at Coventive and a member of the Royal Society of Chemistry with over eight years post-graduate experience in the area of composite materials R&D. He has a PhD awarded by the University of Sheffield in 2014 for his work on toughness enhancement and self-healing in fibre reinforced composite materials. Over the previous five years at Coventive Elliot has had a role in over ten commercial and public funded projects with a focus on two main areas including the development of graphene-enhanced composite systems using a variety of different modification methods ranging from resin dispersion to inkjet printing.
Francisco Saraiva
Development Engineer
BSc, MSc
Francisco is a Development Engineer at since April 2017 and a member of the Institute of Engineering and Technology. He holds a MSc degree in Aerospace Engineering from the Delft University of Technology, where he specialised in the manufacturing and design of composite structures, and during which he also worked as a research intern at the TPRC (Thermoplastic Composites Research Centre) investigating processing techniques of UD carbon fibre/PEEK composites in collaboration with Fokker Technologies, Aniform Engineering BV and the University of Twente. After completing his degree, he joined where his research is focused on developing processing techniques for thermoplastic composite materials. He has worked on a number of commercial projects, primarily involving structural analysis of composite structures by finite element analysis.
Gary Foster
Senior Project Manager
BSc, PhD
Dr Gary Foster has been involved in materials characterisation for almost 30 years. He joined PL Thermal sciences in 1985 were he was responsible for the company’s analytical and demonstration laboratories. After joining Exeter Advanced Technologies in 1998 his first task was to establish a new analytical laboratory for the testing of polymer composites. Instrumentation for this facility included mechanical, physical, rheological, thermal and spectroscopic techniques, as well SEM and optical microscopy. He was responsible for managing the laboratories as well and providing consultancy support for industry. Prior to joining Coventive in 2013, Gary spent 8 years at Smithers Rapra, a supplier of materials testing and consultancy to the plastics, rubber and composite industries.
Geoff Foulds
Senior Development Engineer
MEng
Geoff joined Coventive in 2012 after completing an internship as a mature student studying at the University of Sheffield. Much of his initial work focused on the development and processing of biocomposites and thermoplastic composites, and the health-and-safety issues associated with the use of materials. Geoff has project-management responsibilities: research in his recent projects has included long-fibre thermoplastics, inspection of damage in composite structures for aerospace applications, and novel treatments for improved performance of thermosetting biocomposites. Geoff also supports the technical side of ’ commercial services and training work.
James Taylor
Marketing Support Manager
BSc (Hons)
James has over 10 years experience in marketing-related roles including website design & development, digital & print design and campaign management. He joined in 2013 and is the Marketing Support Manager. James holds a degree in Engineering Physics which compliments his understanding of marketing technical products and services. He has developed numerous websites and has a sound understanding of creating user-friendly user-interfaces.
Joe Carruthers
Managing Director
MEng, PhD
Joe has over 20 years of experience in the composites industry. Prior to joining as Operations Director he was the Vehicles Group Manager at NewRail where he developed a number of composite applications for trains. Before that he was the European Automotive Product Manager at Hexcel Composites. He holds a PhD in energy absorbing composite materials, and is a Chartered Engineer and Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.
Joe Hodkin
Testing Technician
Joe is the testing technician at , taking the lead on testing work and associated sample preparation. Since joining Coventive in 2014, he has gained experience in a wide range of mechanical testing techniques including tensile, flexural, impact, compression, shear, fracture toughness and adhesive bonding.
Lucy Bull
Senior Development Engineer
MEng, PhD
Lucy joined in Oct 2018 following a position as design and development engineer at a machine knife company where she carried out research and development for 5 years. Prior to this she obtained a PhD in Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Sheffield where she researched the behaviour of structural bolt assemblies in fire. She also holds an MEng in Structural Engineering.
Michael Cortis
Structural Engineer
BEng & Arch (Hons), MSc, PhD
Michael was educated at the University of Malta from where he obtained an upper second class Bachelor degree (with Honours) in Civil Engineering and Architecture. Later, he moved to the UK where he attained an MSc in Structural Engineering (Glasgow/Edinburgh Universities) and a PhD in Civil Engineering (Glasgow University) focusing on the finite element modelling of braided fibres as an alternative reinforcement for reinforced concrete. He also has 3 years post doctorate experience at Durham University, where he worked on an EPSRC funded project entitled, "Seabed ploughing: modelling for infrastructure installation" where he developed a parallelised C/C++ software to model large deformations in solid mechanics. He also served 2 years as a Chairperson of the Institute of Structural Engineering Northern Counties Young Members' group. Michael is also keen on the development of new advanced construction materials such as fibre reinforcement and sustainable materials.
Neil Morton
Senior Technician
TEC Mech & Proc eng cert. eng craftsmanship (toolmaking), IEEE 17th ed.
Neil is the senior technician for . He initially became a toolmaker in heavy industry, followed by 20 years or so of working in various research establishments providing support in concrete research (into alkali–silica reaction) and microbiology labaratories, followed by 11 years at Coventive. He is an apprentice trained toolmaker and has worked as electrician for single and 3 phase electrics, coupled with design and repair of control systems for machinery and equipment. Has worked on EU collaborative projects since framework 5.
Romilly Close
Development Engineer
MEng
Romilly is the technical lead for the ’ consultancy work, performing structural analysis on various composite structures from radar antennae shrouds to water treatment tank covers. As a development engineer, she has advanced research into thermoplastics for ballistic protection as well as rapid on-site repair of structures using adhesive carbon fibre tape. Romilly graduated from Sheffield University with a degree in Aerospace Engineering with a Year in North America (Buffalo SUNY), specialising in mechanical testing of composites. Her final project investigated the effect of mechanical and thermal fatigue on stitched and unstitched carbon fibre reinforced polymers for aerospace structures.
Tala Abbasian
Development Engineer
BSc, MSc
Tala joined in early 2014 as a Development Engineer and has since worked as an R&D technical lead on the development of materials spanning the majority of Coventive's portfolio of technologies. Her experience includes thermosets, thermoplastics, ballistics and recycled materials through to natural fibres and nanocomposites. Prior to this Tala worked as a Research Assistant at the University of Sheffield on several projects; one of which involved development of self-sensing carbon prepreg composites in collaboration with an aerospace OEM. Tala holds an MSc in Polymer Science and Engineering from the University of Sheffield along with a BSc in Industrial Engineering (Polymer major).
