Client-focused innovation support

Colm has a deep understanding of food and beverage sector process and plant design gained through working on innovative solutions for new products, flexible manufacturing and sustainability. With qualifications in chemical engineering and project management as well as 25 years’ industrial experience, he can quickly determine what skills and capabilities are needed to achieve innovation goals. He then lines up science, engineering and technology specialists to take things forward.

Colm says being able to leverage Sagentia Innovation’s wide-ranging expertise makes it possible to overcome very difficult challenges and fast-track the development of new ideas.

“Right now, sector innovation is largely shaped by the move towards more sustainable practices, the health and wellness trend, enhancing consumer experiences and driving down production costs,” Colm explains. “These are complex, multi-faceted areas, but our client-centred approach means we apply relevant skills and knowledge to drive progress. Projects range from the development of new processing technologies to packaging innovation and the creation of new food and beverage products or business models. We take our clients’ aspirations on board, and make it easier to achieve them.”

Leading ground-breaking projects

Before joining Sagentia Innovation, Colm spent more than ten years working at GEA Group, a specialist in process technologies and solutions. He headed up several teams to design and commission production processes, and to develop solutions and technologies for non-alcoholic beverages and plant-based drinks. Sustainable production was an area of particular focus. Highlights include working with blue-chip clients to develop highly efficient largescale plant design, achieving an integrated solution to enable carbon zero production, and partnering with a start-up to successfully develop a prototype and commercial process solution. Earlier in his career, Colm spent nearly five years working in the beverage concentrates industry and led a range of projects across the pharma, dairy and utilities industries.

Having worked with both global enterprises and niche start-ups, Colm is well-equipped to support Sagentia Innovation clients whatever their size or growth stage. He is highly skilled at eliciting clients’ goals, challenges and objectives as well as identifying obstacles or opportunities that may not have been considered. Combining this with commercial and technical knowledge makes Colm a powerful ally for clients exploring progressive new ideas.

“I enjoy helping clients define exactly what they need to take their concepts to the next level, then building and leading a team with the skills to get there. Sometimes we’re approached about fledgling concepts that need help getting off the ground, other times the client may have encountered an unexpected challenge late in the product development cycle. One day we might be working with a mainstream product, the next it could be something more novel like a new plant-based drink or an innovative digital solution. Whatever the task, we thrive on solving problems and finding effective ways to help clients realise their ambitions.”

Find out more about our food and beverage consulting services.