CHRISTOPHER DREW
19 Lombardy Drive
Berkhamsted
Herts HP4 2LG
Telephone: 01442 870310 Fax 0870 705 9037 Mobile 0776 434 2291
Email:
Marital Status: Married – 1 daughter at university; 1 son, 1 daughter graduated.
PROFILE
Information broker and industrial match-maker: a lateral thinker and energetic networker with a “nose” for competitive intelligence. Experience of research, production, teaching, Government, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, electronics, engineering and academia.
EDUCATION
1958 - 1965 Haberdashers’ Aske’s School Hampstead
5 science A & S levels, Open Scholarship
1965 - 1968 King’s College, Cambridge
BA, MA Natural Sciences
1968 – 1970 Sir John Cass College, London (p/t evenings)
MSc, Solid State Physics
QUALIFICATIONS AND MEMBERSHIP
Chartered Chemist, Chartered Scientist
Member Royal Society of Chemistry
RSC Parliamentary Links Scheme (since 1990)
DTI BioWise Technical Advisory Committee (1999-2003)
RSC Speciality Chemicals Sector Group Committee (since 2001)
Government Deregulation Task Force, Chemicals Committee (1992-3)
Specialised Organics Economic Development Committee (1984-93)
Editorial Board, Green Chemistry Journal (1998-2002)
DTI Industrial Biotechnology Task Force (2004)
Gerson Lehrman Council of Advisers (2004)
NISP Programme Advisory Group
Federation of Small Businesses – Environment Committee
West Yorkshire Responsible Care Cell – Secretary 2004 to date
CAREER
1993 – date SORIS, Macclesfield (Berkhamsted from September 2005)
SORIS provides “soft” information, tailored introductions and problem-solving for chemical companies. Income is from subscriptions and consulting with some EC/DTI funds for specific projects. SORIS owned by CIA (1993-2001) and CIRCE (from July 2001 until August 2005). Also acts as permanent secretariat to West Yorks Responsible Care Cell.
Achievements:
· Developed and maintained a significant and unique network of contacts in chemistry, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and related industries and services.
· Benefits to companies ranged from £10k to £4m.
· Increased number of subscribers from 60 to 80.
· Answer 500 to 600 enquiries per year and have expanded geographical spread of SORIS enquirers.
· Joint founder of BRIGIT (a European version of SORIS).
· Found new, non-subscription income.
· Organised successful conferences and workshops.
· Co-ordinated market research studies of Korea, Sweden, Finland
· Increased member satisfaction with workings of WYRCC
1984 – 1993 Specialised Organics Information Service Ltd, Macclesfield
Director
Responsible for provision of services plus management of all its financial and administrative affairs.
Achievements:
· Increased subscriber base from 30 to 60 companies.
· Threefold increase in number of enquiries handled.
· Co-ordinated market research study of Sweden and Finland.
· Improved budgetary control and built up cash reserves.
· Significant reduction (£20m pa) in UK chemical imports.
1978 – 1984 National Economic Development Office, Millbank
Industry Specialist
The office (120 people) provided a secretariat for the National Economic Development Council and its subsidiary industry sector committees.
Business Manager
For 3 tripartite committees – Pumps and Valves, Specialised Organic Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals. Resident expert on biotechnology – briefing Chancellors, Ministers, Trade Union leaders, Consumer Associations.
1976 – 1978 Glaxo Laboratories Ltd, Barnard Castle
(1977 – 1978) Acting Departmental Head, Antibiotics
Responsibility for 120 people and a member of the factory management committee
(1976 – 1977) Collation Area Manager
Achievement: Increased productivity by 8%.
Section Manager, Creams and Lotions.
Achievements:
· Reduced wastage of packaging materials by up to 75% (a departmental saving of £50k pa).
· Set up new production records system to meet future requirements of Good Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Practice. The system worked to the satisfaction of the company, DHSS and FDA and answered queries in less than 3 minutes.
· Purchased and commissioned new packaging line: the £150k spend showed a 2 year payback and increased efficiency by 25%.
1974 - 1976 Glaxo Laboratories Ltd, Greenford
Assistant to Production Director
Handled wide variety of technical, financial, commercial projects including early stages of new (Annan) site and new product launches.
1970 - 1974 Manchester Business School
Research Associate
Teaching (operational research), researching and consulting.
1968 - 1970 GEC Hirst Research Centre, Wembley
Devised novel routes to high-density ceramics for use in street lighting, computer memories, microwave guides and Stealth bombers.
INTERESTS
Orienteering, theatre and concert-going
Awarded Territorial Efficiency medal (TD) in 1982