New Materials for New Applications - Speakers Biographies

Sean Cooper, National Composites Centre
Sean Cooper is a Deputy Chief Engineer for Aerospace & Defence at the UK National Composites Centre (NCC).  He specialises in R&D for thermoplastic composite manufacturing technologies including, SMC/BMC compression moulding, thermoforming, thermoplastic AFP, injection overmoulding and thermoplastic welding processes.  Sean is currently leading various NCC R&D programmes and initiatives such as core-research and capability development projects centred on thermoplastic composites applications in aerospace, defence and space.  He is also technical lead for the NCC Aerospace Interiors strategy.  Sean has global reach for new thermoplastic composites technology development and has previously presented on thermoplastic composites technology at international events such as TCC2020 and ITHEC.  Sean was formerly Materials and Manufacturing Development Manager for Tods Aerospace (Crewkerne, UK) 2013-2019 where he helped develop new commercial business for thermoplastic composites supply and built strong R&D partnerships via international collaborative research in thermoplastic composite manufacturing, testing and assembly technologies.  Sean holds a first-class BSc Honours Degree in Engineering Design and Manufacture from Plymouth University (UK) and an MSc Advanced Materials from the University of Surrey (UK).  He achieved dual Chartership status (CEng/CSci) in 2016 with both Engineering and Science Councils and is an active Board Member of the IOM3 British Composites Society.

Gary Foster, Coventine Composites
Gary has worked in polymer research and development for over 30 years. After spending 10 years at an analytical instrument company, Gary returned to academia (Universities of
London and Exeter), where he helped to develop thermoplastic polymer solutions for a range of industrial clients. In 2005, he joined Smithers Rapra, a supplier of materials testing
and consultancy to the plastics, rubber and composite industries. 

Gary moved to his role of Senior Project Manager at Coventive Composites in 2013. During this time he has been focusing his efforts in the thermoplastic composites area of the
business, helping to develop new material solutions and processes for the composite sector.

Christos Karatzias, Mitsui Chemicals Europe

Christos studied at RWTH Aachen University achieving a degree in Mechanical Engineering and a masters in Business Administration2012 - 2019 and a PhD in the field of composites processing.

Since 2017 he has been Business Development Manager, responsible for Thermoplastic Composites Business and Development in Europe at Mitsui Chemicals Europe Duesseldorf (HQ Europe),

Stuart Pickard, Trellis Transit
Toronto Canada-based Stuart Pickard has built a career of more than four decades, specializing in senior-level business and strategic partnership development, as well as solution acceleration in transformative technology market spaces including: robotics, interactive systems, real-time secure student transportation logistics and autonomous cleantech micro-rail transit solutions. 
  
Stuart is a noted project and product strategist and a long-term roadmap and market demand creator, with the proven ability to unlock value within initiatives and among stakeholders. 
  
Stuart is the co-founder and Executive VP of Business Development and Partnerships at Trellis Transit. 

Nadine Wessel, Armacell Benelux

Dedicated to development of sustainable product solutions providing enhanced customer value. With an EMBA degree from the WWU in Germany in strategic marketing, Nadine Wessel is responsible for the global product management of the PET foams manufactured by Armacell. With several years of background in different fields in the Armacell group, she has expertise in developing product solutions focusing on answering the markets and customer specific needs and optimising internal processes. Since almost two years the focus is now on the sustainable portfolio of thermoplastic core foams made out of 100% post-consumer PET.

Charlotte White, Composites UK
Charlotte’s role is to increase our understanding of the composites industry and the end sector markets, engage with companies to identify any business support required and develop and understanding of the SME requirement from the National Composites Centre.
 
Charlotte has a background in the Motorsport industry having graduated from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, Swansea, with a BSc(Hons) in Motorsport Management. 

Dr Mark Wright, Solvay
Dr. Mark Wright is Global Automotive Marketing Manager at Solvay, responsible for automotive strategy.
Dr. Wright has been working for Solvay since 2001. Initially working to develop automotive business with in the UK but since 2008 has been working in his current function. The last 10 years has seen an exciting transformation in the automotive industry with the evolution of E-Mobility and Autonomous Driving as key drivers for the future.  Dr. Wright has played an important role to enable Solvay to effectively position their advanced material portfolio across all vehicles architectures which has resulted in growth rates disconnected from standard industry rates. Dr. Wright is currently leading Solvay’s Thermoplastic Composite Automotive strategy roadmap.

Before joining Solvay, Dr. Wright worked for General Electric Plastics for 8 years. Product, application development and marketing strategy were his key activities in the Industrial and Consumer market segments.

He received his Ph.D. in 1996 from Metropolitan University of Manchester (UK) where he studied Kinetics and Mechanisms of the Degradation of Chlorine containing Polymers. Dr. Wright also holds a first class honors’ degree in Polymer Science and Technology from the same University.
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Today, Dr. Mark Wright lives in Cheshire, UK but supports Solvay’s automotive business globally.

Elspeth Keating, WMG
Rien Van Der Aker, Van Wees UD and Crossply Technology