The smartseal system has been developed by a group of British scientists and a GDP, led by Drs Don Highgate and Jon Lloyd, who identified that hydrophilic polymers could be used to seal irregular shaped spaces.
The contact lens industry, in their drive to improve comfort, was implemental in the development of hydrophilic materials, leading to the introduction of high water content soft lenses.
The smartseal R&D team worked out that by varying the formulation and processing conditions, hydrophilic polymers could be designed to provide materials with a wide range of properties.
Ali is the Product Manager for smartseal and joined the team in October 2007.
She started out in Dentistry in 1981 as Jerry Watson’s nurse. She worked with Jerry for seven years expanding her dental knowledge before then moving on to a career in Magazine Publishing.
During her time in publishing she worked her way up to the Marketing department where she was instrumental in the creation of multi media campaigns and gained her Chartered Institute of Marketing Professional Certificate.
It was here over the last 16 years that Ali developed the strong communication skills that are vital for the success of her role here at smartseal. Her interest in dentistry has never waned and she is now able to combine her sales and marketing skills with her knowledge of dentistry.
Ali is looking forward to meeting our smartseal customers and offering them the very best of customer care.
Email Ali on ali@smart-seal.co.uk
Alex is the only member of the team that has her foot in both camps so to speak. As the Senior Chemist, she is based and is based at our purpose built laboratory in Sheffield and was instumental in the developement of smartseal. Using her fantastic product knowledge she has proved to be an invaluable member of the sales team.
Alex graduated from Loughborough University with a degree in Chemistry with Forensic Analysis, in 2003. On graduation, Alex joined 3M where she was employed as a scientist in the Regulatory Affairs Division. She joined the smartseal team in 2004 where her input into the product has been considerable, from initial development stages through to scale-up, and now sale. Alex also manages any overseas interest in smartseal.
Email Alexandra on alex@smart-seal.co.uk
Petra graduated in 2009 from the University of Leeds with a BA in Geography and joined the smartseal team in February 2010. She is currently office coordinator of the Barnack office and the chances are if you ring smartseal you will speak to Petra. Petra deals with a little bit of everything and deals with day-to-day enquiries, orders and specialises in market analysis and demographics. Petra is always willing to help any customer with any questions or queries they might have an point them in the right direction.
Email Petra on petra@smart-seal.co.uk
Jerry is smartseal‘s Clinical Director and a general dental practitioner based in Stamford.
Qualifying from Guy’s Hospital in 1980, Jerry has worked in general practice since, apart from a short spell in oral surgery. He co-founded Cathedral Square dental practice in Peterborough and set about to innovate and develop a strong team ethos to provide high standards of patient care. Over the years the practice has achieved many awards, including, Investors in People and Innovations in Dentistry.
He is not afraid of change and his interest in using technology to create better outcomes for patient care has led to his involvement with smartseal. Jerry has been involved in the company from its conception to the present day and has experienced the many highs and lows relating to the development of a product, in preparation for a commercial launch.
John is Chairman of smartseal. An accountant by profession, he has many years experience of SME development.
He worked with international accountants KPMG and afterwards as finance director of several companies. He co-founded Titusfield Ltd, a food processing company manufacturing ingredients for major UK and European food groups. Titusfield became one of the leading EC companies in its sector and in 2007 was acquired by the Kerry Food Group.
In 1995 he joined forces with Dr Donald Highgate and Dr Jon Lloyd to exploit their expertise in hydrophilic polymers. They formed and developed ITM Power Plc which was the first European fuel cell business to obtain a public listing by being admitted to the AIM market in 2004. ITM Power is now one of the world’s leading future energy companies.
John has a number of business interests and was voted Business Angel of the Year 2007 by the British Business Angel Association for his contribution to the new business sector.
Paul is Operations Director of the company a
nd is based at smartseal’s purpose built factory in Sheffield.
He obtained a PhD in Polymer Physics from the University of Leeds in the 1980’s and has worked in the medical device industry for over 20 years. Paul has worked on a wide range of projects from research and development of novel products, to setting up and running production lines.
After working as a consultant with the company, Paul joined the smartseal team in March 2003 and became a director in July 2004. He currently manages the site in Sheffield which manufactures smartseal products, with additional responsibilities for research and development, as well as regulatory and quality standards within the company.
Donald is a physicist and leading world expert in the field of hydrophilic polymeric materials.
He was involved in the successful commercialisation of hydrophilic soft contact lenses in the 1970’s and 1980’s, and it was this work that led to a partnership with Dr Jon Lloyd to develop the technology used in the smartseal system.
Donald is founder and shareholder of the company, and continues to advise the smartseal team.
Jon is a mechanical engineer and is based at the Stamford site.
He brings a wealth of industrial and consultancy expertise to the team, having worked with the likes of Babcock, Vickers and Perkins Engines. In 1995 he began working with Dr Donald Highgate on the dynamics of hydrophilic polymers.
Jon is a co-founder of the company and continues to work closely with the team in Sheffield.
“As a general Practitioner as well as Clinical Director of smartseal I have been using the system for over 4 years now. It has transformed my endo and I thoroughly recommend anyone to try it.”
Jerry Watson Dentist
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