Fanya Ismail, the founder, and CEO of SgMA, with expertise that span the chemistry, business, and legal sector. Using her experience 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 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 5 years she supported businesses that wished to invest internationally. Since 2014 Fanya returned to her true vocation in advanced materials, undertaking research and development and commercialisation, before launching SgMA in 2017.
Tatiana Correia brings a wealth of expertise spanning over 18 years in the fields of advanced materials and climate-tech innovations. Tatiana has lent her guidance to over 100 early-stage technology startups, helping them secure funding, establish strategic partnerships, and navigate their path to market success. Before her role at Innovate UK and Innovate UK KTN, where she led knowledge transfer programs in nanotechnology and advanced materials for Net Zero solutions, Tatiana was a lead scientist at National Physical Laboratory.
Tatiana Correia holds a BSc in Physics from the University of Oporto, a PhD in Materials Physics from Cranfield University, and an MBA from the London Business School, with a focus on strategy and new venture development.
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.
David 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 holds a BA in Chemistry from Oxford University.
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.
Ismail trained with PricewaterhouseCoopers in London before joining a family office with property, finance, and IT start ups in its portfolio. Since 2000, Ismail has been CFO with three separate IT start ups. New Planet Solutions an insurance claims SaaS was acquired by Innovation Group, a FT 350 company. This was followed by Ignition Entertainment, a computer games company acquired by UTV, a Bollywood film and TV producer, itself acquired by Disney. Himex/Navseeker a SaaS company providing driver behaviour solutions for USA motor insurance companies (American Family and Mapfre)
Having worked for SgMA for the last four years, Sheila currently holds the post of Head of Application within the company. She holds a master’s degree in quantity surveying from London South Bank University with 9 years’ experience working in the construction industry.
She was one of the Commercial Evaluators for the National programmes of deployment of digital Traffic Management control for Network Rail.
One of the lead Quantity Surveyors for the City of London carrying out a 1000+ property evaluations for fire insurance purposes. She was part of the team working on the renovations of the Guildhall School of Drama.
Dr Blair is a qualified UK and European Patent attorney who worked in private IP practice prior to joining SgMA. David holds a PhD in biogeochemistry from the University of Edinburgh and spent several years as a Process Engineer designing and managing product lines for Cabot Corporation.
Jamal holds a PhD in chemistry from Cardiff University. Prior to his studies Jamal was an assistant lecturer at Ninawa medicine college. Jamal has a deep knowledge and experience in organic chemical synthesis using modern techniques in multi-steps reactions. Jamal has extensive experience of analytical techniques, including of NMR, IR, UV, GCMS and LCMS.