Hugh Roarty

I have 30 years’ experience in new product development of coatings, adhesives, fibre composite and elastomers including 6 years in customer facing roles as a Sales Account Manager and Technical Service Representative. I have strong leadership, project management and mentorship skills. I excel at defining and reaching agreement on project parameters and key deliverables.

I am a confident communicator and a credible technical representative. I seek opportunities where ideation, teamwork and enthusiasm are valued. I am particularly interested in organisations with established collaborative pathways to take innovative concepts to commercialisation.

Senior Development Chemist - Wessex Resins Ltd. - Romsey, United Kingdom

(2025-08)

Provide technical leadership and supervision of laboratory staff in the timely delivery of project objectives. Responsible for the product development stage gate process in support of WEST SYSTEM® and PRO-SET® epoxy-fibre composites, structural adhesives and underwater repair putties.

• Market launch of a UL-94 fire-resistant epoxy infusion resin for fibre composites in marine applications.
• Expand current epoxy adhesives portfolio for higher service temperatures.
• Develop a deep pour clear cast epoxy system for the hobbyist market and a trench filling foaming epoxy for protection and temperature regulation of underground electrical cabling.

Innovations Manager - Lake Chemicals & Minerals Ltd. - Redditch, United Kingdom

(2021-11 - 2024-11)

Manage R&D function and develop laboratory capability to establish a specialty chemicals distribution strategy for the epoxy formulation market. Collaborate with key supplier ICL Halox® to showcase corrosion inhibitor performance in epoxy coatings and with CORTEC VpCI® in automotive supply chain corrosion control technologies.

• Partner with academics, key suppliers and customers to submit funding proposals for ‘blue sky’ innovations.
• Projects include ‘Covalent Adaptable Networks’ for epoxy-fibre composites based on disulfide chemistry with Sheffield Hallam University and a novel amine-free epoxy thermoset based on oxirane ring opening catalysis with Lincoln University.

Technical Development Specialist - Stepan Europe - Wroclaw, Poland

(2017-04 - 2021-10)

Supervise a small R&D team to develop polyester polyols for the European polyurethane market. Visit customer accounts across W. Europe to provide advice, technical support and product specification for a polyester polyol portfolio. Organise training, technical demonstrations and social activities for customers visiting the Wroclaw technical centre.

• Projects include a PTMEG/Polyester hot cast elastomer for a multi-national client to achieve thermal performance in offshore applications, assisting a UK based ‘Resin Bound Aggregate’ manufacturer to launch the first non-yellowing 2K polyurethane system in that market and introducing a low viscosity polyol for polyaspartic DTM protective topcoats.

Technical Sales Manager - Azelis UK Ltd. - Runcorn, United Kingdom

(2014-03 - 2017-03)

Achieve sales and margin growth by regular customer visits to CASE accounts in UK and Ireland. Foster client/distributor relationships and provide technical advice for new material evaluation and product developments. Negotiate pricing and provide quotations as well as regularly review account status and opportunities.

• Manage key supplier relationships by acting as the main point of contact for technical, commercial and regulatory issues.
• Present quarterly sales figures, report on opportunity pipeline and business developments.
• Arrange joint visits to introduce suppliers to key customers.

R&D Manager - Belzona Polymerics Ltd. - Harrogate, United Kingdom

(2009-04 - 2014-02)

Manage a team of formulation chemists on new product development by setting milestones, prioritising objectives and managing the stage gate process. Technologies included epoxy, polysiloxane (including RTV silicone) and polyurethane with applications in protective coatings, adhesives and repair composites for industrial, offshore and marine applications.

• Conceive and direct development projects for a centrifugal spin-spray coating for internal pipeline field joints, an internal pump wall lining to promote efficient boundary layer flow, a fibre-epoxy composite wrap for pipework repair, a vessel lining primer to mitigate ‘cold wall effect’ and a foaming epoxy coating to achieve burn injury protection.

Laboratory Manager - Hydra Polymers Ltd. - Liverpool, United Kingdom

(2007-11 - 2009-03)

Furnish a start-up laboratory on the campus of Liverpool University. Manage ongoing laboratory resources and ensure laboratory compliance with Health, Safety and Environmental legislation as well as local university campus guidelines. Implement test methods for evaluation of novel acrylic polymer technology in protective coatings and adhesives.

• Design and synthesise hyper-branched solution acrylic polymers for application in acrylate, polyurethane and alkyd coatings.
• Investigate potential for hyper-branched technology in low VOC alkyd coatings and determine benefits of highly functionalised branched acrylic polyols in polyurethane systems.

Software Engineer - Allfinanz Ltd. - Dublin, Ireland

(2006-07 - 2007-10)

Develop insurance underwriting ‘rules designer’ on the Jakarta Struts programming framework. Teleconferencing with client underwriters to identify paths, potential disconnects, and other logical criteria required for implementation. Programming in Java, SQL, HTML and CSS for bug fixes and code optimisation.

• Implement small client specified changes to web based ‘Graphical User Interface’ (GUI) templates.
• Write SQL queries for interaction with back-end databases.
• Work with technical authors to put together user manuals and other technical documentation.

Senior R&D Chemist - Akzo Nobel Ltd. - Blackburn, United Kingdom

(2001-01 - 2005-08)

Develop acrylic emulsion architectural paints for the Crown Permoglaze® and Sadolin® brands. Product launches include a direct to metal acrylic gloss, substrate tolerant cupboard paint, a wear resistant PUD floor varnish and low-odour trim paints for the Crown Breatheasy® launch.

• Support manufacturing process by effective diagnostic and implementation roles.
• Support production of B&Q own brand trim paint range at Crown Paints’ Haltwhistle UK site by successful communication and implementation of formulation process to production and QA colleagues.

Scientific Trainee / R&D Chemist - Imperial Chemical Industries (I.C.I.) - Slough, United Kingdom

(1991-05 - 2000-12)

Prepare and characterise acrylic emulsion polymers to achieve improved performance, reduced environmental impact and elimination of nonyl phenol ethoxylate surfactant for Autocolor® automotive refinish paints. Synthesise high solid Alkyd resin and Alkyd Emulsion to reduce volatile organic content (VOC) in decorative trim paints.

• Develop masonry and wood care paints for the Dulux Weathershield® and Cuprinol® product range.
• Arrange application trials, exterior weathering, colour matching, storage stability and assess performance characteristics to ensure the product meets customer expectations.
• Ensure formulations meet cost, process and regulatory constraints.

BSc. (Hons.) - Chemistry - Kingston University, London (1992-10 - 1997-06)

Post Graduate Diploma - Computer Science - University College Dublin (2005-10 - 2006-06)