Award Winning Paper Coating Technology

Fanya Ismail, the founder of SGMA, is an entrepreneur, with expertise that span the chemistry, business and legal sector.

Using her expertise from each sector she built SGMA, an advanced chemical company focusing on the development of sol-gel technology, delivering solutions to sustainability problems.

Fanya graduated from UMIST which is currently part of the University of Manchester with a PhD in Chemistry, having been awarded a prestigious scholarship from the Royal Society of Chemistry in 2000. In 1999 Fanya also obtained an MSc in Physical Chemistry from the University of Manchester.

Fanya then went on to work as a Research Scientist at Queen Mary’s University and at the University of Manchester. She has also been a lecturer at the School of Chemical & Pharmaceutical Sciences at Kingston University.

Her business career started as the Director of a legal consultancy, where for 6 years she supported businesses that wished to invest internationally. Since 2015 Fanya returned to her true vocation in advanced materials, undertaking research & development and commercialisation, before launching SGMA in Feb 2017.

David is the Chief Technology Officer for SGMA, an advanced chemical company focusing on development of sol-gel technology solution to sustainability problems. He has recently retired after 38 years with ExxonMobil Chemical working in the Petrochemical industry.

He has held executive management positions in Manufacturing, Marketing, Sales, Product Development and Project management, many of these outside the UK. As a senior manager in a company with a strong reputation for technology leadership in its industry, he has led multiple teams responsible for the commercialisation of new products for the packaging, construction, and automotive industries.

David is a British citizen and holds a BA in Chemistry from Oxford University.

Graham is the Finance Director for SGMA, an advanced chemical company focusing on development of sol-gel technology solution to sustainability problems.

Graham is qualified accountant, and has almost 30 years experience working in finance and operations roles, in both large and small organisations.

Previously Graham has worked for FedEx and Vodafone as a Senior Finance Manager; at Firstpoint Healthcare Ltd, a private equity backed SME, as Commecial Director; at Innovate UK and the Precision Medicine Catapult as Chief Finance Officer.

Jeff is is a technical consultant for SGMA, an advanced chemical company focusing on development of sol-gel technology solution to sustainability problems. Jeff has a PhD in Chemistry from King’s College London and ~40 years years experience working in industry and academia.

Previously, Jeff has worked for Shell Research as a Principal Scientist and Research Manager; Bellingham+ Stanley Ltd (Optical Instrument Manufacture) as Sales & Marketing Director; University of Greenwich as a Bus Dev Manager, Tutor in Quality Management and Project Manager for Enterprise Europe Network.

Don is a Technical Operations Manager for SGMA, an advanced chemical company focusing on development of sol-gel technology solution to sustainability problems

Previously an Avionics Electronics Engineer at BAE Systems for 40 years. Worked in the defence and civil Avionics industry. Experience in Engineering, Production, Finance, Marketing and Sales.

Michael Hughes is the commercial non-executive director for SGMA, an advanced chemical company focusing on development of sol-gel technology solution to sustainability problems. He is the UK and Ireland President at Schneider Electric.

His executive leadership and international business experience – focused on the fourth industrial revolution – spans the UK, France, China, Taiwan, and Germany. Mike’s business development success has led him to be responsible for operating multiple manufacturing sites, managing thousands of staff, and delivering high turnover.

He is an active Angel Investor and has represented investors as an independent member of a Fund Investment Committee.

Helen has a wealth of experience within the commercialisation of products and services, having worked with the top 5 pharmaceutical companies during her time at IMS, supporting, and creating launch programmes for global drug launches. Working with Astra Zeneca, Novartis, Sanofi etc.

Over recent times Helen has worked with SME businesses supporting growth and funding opportunities to allow the business to evolve, creating strategic planning to increase turnover/revenue streams.

Previously working within the packaging industry in the fibre packaging arena (solid board/corrugated and moulded pulp).