Chris has 45 years’ experience in manufacturing, leading and being part of Research and Development teams turning ideas into commercial reality in both large corporates and SMEs.

His ethos and approach to scaleup is that it is best characterised as a team activity, the most multidisciplinary initiative any company can undertake.

He started his career as part of the Boots Company management development programme. Chris joined the company in 1975, shaping his interest in innovation, development and scale-up.

Chris has managed scaleup projects from “bench to board” level, for blue-chip companies such as Boots, Cadbury, Beecham, Callard & Bowser Group and Leaf Group. He has managed truly transformational growth projects, including taking Smith Kendon to become Callard and Bowser Group (from 100 to 2000 people).

He is chairman of BIC Innovation, who have been helping companies to “scaleup” for over 15 years, turning ideas into something tangible that is of real commercial value. He is an MRSB, MILM, and gained most of his management training through corporate programmes, additionally trained in achieving world-class manufacturing standards.

As a University Lecturer in Innovation, Chris has a deep understanding of the skills and people challenges that being a scaleup business brings.

Even for relaxation, Chris is interested in how things work - so restores motorcycles and cars in his spare time. He is a keen biker and has been known to indulge in a track day burn or two!

He also follows rugby and cricket and helps to look after the family menagerie of 3 horses and 2 dogs.