Cambridge-based science and technology development company appoints Duncan Smith as Managing Partner
Sagentia Innovation has appointed Duncan Smith as Managing Partner to lead its consumer division, which provides innovation and product development services for some of the world’s leading brands.
Duncan joins from Cambridge Consultants where he worked for almost 15 years, most recently as Head of North America, including the Synapse Product Development business acquired in 2016.
At Sagentia Innovation, Duncan will work at a global level, supporting the team who work primarily across the consumer health, personal care & beauty, homecare and consumer electronics sectors, helping brands navigate a future of increasing digital transformation and D2C business models.
“It’s a time of tremendous change in consumer markets, with consumer preference influenced by issues like sustainability, inclusivity and brand trust. I believe that as leaders in innovation we have a responsibility to consider these societal issues in all our developments, not only niche products and services”, said Duncan. “I’m really excited to join Sagentia Innovation where we have the scientific insight, consumer understanding, digital and engineering capabilities to help our clients deliver enriched experiences that reduce rather than increase the complexity of the busy lives of their consumers.”
Duncan joins at a time when Sagentia Innovation is extending its global reach and preparing for growth. In his previous role, he doubled the size of the division for which he was responsible, expanding into Asia and the US.
“Duncan is a strong addition to the senior team at a time when we have brought together our advisory, science and product development capabilities,” says Paul Wilkins, Managing Director at Sagentia Innovation. “His experience working on the whole lifecycle of innovative physical products and digital solutions makes him an excellent fit for us. Having already grasped the technical depth of our team and the breadth of our offering, we are confident that Duncan will help our consumer clients achieve tremendous outcomes.”
Sagentia Innovation is a global science, product and technology development company, and part of Science Group plc. More information is available at www.sagentiainnovation.com
Media contact: Mary Hamblyn at Articulate, +44 (0) 7748 848 768 or [email protected]
About Sagentia Innovation
Sagentia Innovation provides independent advisory and leading-edge product development services focused on science and technology initiatives. Working across the medical, industrial, chemicals and energy, food and beverage, and consumer sectors, Sagentia Innovation works with a broad range of companies from some of the world’s leading and best-known brands, to start-up disruptors, new to the market. It is part of Science Group (AIM:SAG), which has more than ten offices globally, two UK-based dedicated R&D innovation centres and more than 400 employees. Other Science Group companies include Leatherhead Food Research, TSG Consulting and Frontier Smart Technologies.
About Science Group plc
Science Group plc (AIM:SAG) is a science-led advisory and product development organisation. The Group has three divisions:
- R&D Consultancy: providing advisory, applied science and product development services cross-sector helping clients derive maximum return on their R&D investments.
- Regulatory & Compliance: helping clients in highly regulated markets to launch, market and defend products internationally, navigating the frequently complex and fragmented regulatory ecosystems.
- Frontier Smart Technologies: designing and manufacturing chips and modules for the DAB/DAB+ radio markets with 80% market share (excluding the automotive market)
With more than 400 employees worldwide, primarily scientists and engineers and speaking more than 30 languages collectively, the Group has R&D centres in Cambridge and Epsom with more than ten additional offices in Europe, Asia and North America.
Our markets
Our consultants, scientists and engineers redefine what’s possible and help R&D groups across the medical, industrial, consumer and food and beverage sectors achieve commercial return from their opportunities.
Our projects
We have completed over 10,000 projects for start-ups and global market leaders alike, from understanding the market & technology landscape through to developing and delivering complex products.
