Meet the Team
Dr Patrick Dodds - CEO and Founder
Patrick is an Honorary Research Fellow within the College of Engineering, Swansea University. He studied Chemistry for his first degree and subsequently worked within environmental chemistry and pharmaceutical science research before specialising in corrosion and coatings. He holds an MRes in Steel Technology and an EngD in Materials Engineering. His research has been published in peer reviewed journals and presented at leading international conferences, including invited lectures at the European Coating Technology Conference. In addition, he was a finalist in 2015 and a winner in 2017, in an international innovation competition, one of only 50 teams selected from over 5000 global entries. Patrick has had a prestigious Royal Academy of Engineering Enterprise Fellowship, which involved intensive business training, focusing on growing start-ups into sustainable companies.
Dr Catherine Friar - Business Development Manager
Catherine studied Materials Science and Technology (BEng) at the Swansea University, followed by an Engineering doctorate studying Organic Coated Degradation. Her favourite part of being a Business Development Manager is interacting with customers to help their understanding of the product use and chemistry and building strong relationships. She particularly enjoys working together on projects to provide better performing, more cost-effective solutions using unique technology. In her spare time, Catherine likes to stay active by walking, camping, skiing, and cycling. She also plays and umpires for the Swansea netball league.
Marc Phillips - Operations & Manufacturing Manager
Marc Simon Phillips brings extensive operations and logistics experience to the team - he has worked in industrial chemical plants for 10 years and the automotive industry as a Design Engineer for 13 years. Marc is passionate about training and continuous improvement, and for the last 20 years, has been a Training Manager and Assessor for IQA (Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice) where he has helped numerous businesses implement policies and systems to improve performance / output. When he is not working, Marc enjoys country walks, playing guitar and designing / creating wooden furniture.
Julie Whitefoot - Finance and Administrative Manager
As the Finance and Administrative Manager, Julie ‘holds down’ the Hexigone HQ! She has 35+ years’ experience in finance / admin within a range of organisations which has been invaluable experience for our team. Outside of work, Julie loves watching the F1 and Welsh rugby team and is a very proud mother of two grown-up daughters (as well as her Cockapoo, Sheldon!)
Ian Cole - Finance Director
Ian is an experienced Finance Director with 30 years’ experience working in both large corporate and smaller owner managed businesses. Having qualified as a Chartered Accountant with Coopers & Lybrand in 1996, he moved on to various senior finance and IT roles within Bemis Company Inc, a global packaging business, where he worked for 20 years. Prior to joining SME Finance Partners, Ian was Finance Director for Jenkins Bakery, a family owned Bakery, with 27 retail outlets across South West Wales.
At SME Finance Partners, Ian has worked with a wide range of clients at different stages in their evolution. He has helped them raise finance, re-structure businesses, improve financial performance and better organise their finance functions.
Ella Newington - Marketing Manager
Ella brings over ten years of B2B and B2C marketing experience and strategy with her. She holds a BA in Economics, a Professional Marketing Diploma from the Institute of Digital Marketing and is working towards the Chartered Institute of Marketing Diploma in Professional Marketing. As Marketing Manager, she is passionate about developing innovative global strategies and loves to try out new tactics to stand out in a conservative industry. When she’s not putting together campaigns, you’ll find her exploring the outdoors or enjoying family time with her partner and son.
Bethan Lewis - Marketing Assistant
Our Marketing Assistant, Bethan Lewis, holds a BA in Graphic Communication, an MA in Visual Communication and is currently completing her CIM certificate in Professional Digital Marketing. When she's not keeping up with the latest marketing techniques and design trends, you'll find her transforming forgotten furniture, engrossed in immersive TV shows, and baking sweet treats for her family.
Ieuan Lloyd Thomas - Trainee Lab Technician
Ieuan has joined the team fresh from higher education as a Trainee Lab Technician. As his first time in employment, he’s enjoying the experience and has hit the ground running in the labs due to his practical, methodical nature. When he’s not in work, you’ll find him reading books / magazines and watching science fiction movies.
Sebastian Kiley - Process Operator
As a Process Operator, Sebastian maintains accurate production records and completes production activities. He has previous experience in a manufacturing environment and is a valuable member of our team at the lab. In his spare time, Sebastian is a Cub Scout Leader and a Special Needs Football coach.
Board Members:
Michael Owens - Board Member & Non-Executive Director
Michael is an expert in sustainable agriculture, guiding a third-generation farming enterprise through the shift from conventional to advanced farming practices. Additionally, Michael has established a state-of-the-art produce trading and packing business, fuelled by a privately-funded field scale solar operation, supplying large food providers across the UK. Outside of work, Michael enjoys golfing, wine, cooking and consuming locally sourced, seasonal produce.
Dr Joanne Phoenix: Non-Executive Investor Director
Joanne holds first and second degrees from the University of Liverpool. She has academic research experience in the life sciences sector alongside widespread technical experience across field as diverse as medical devices, software and IoT and sensors. For the last 20 years she has worked in various consultancy roles to support early-stage technology businesses. Currently, Joanne works as a Scale-Up Director on the Innovate UK Edge Scale-Up Programme and also supports a number of businesses as a Non-Executive Director. Joanne enjoys walking in the countryside, particularly in the hills of North Wales. She has moved recently and is passionate about redesigning her new house and garden.