Executive Committee
Dr Leo Salter BA BSc MA CChem FRSC
President
In 1972 Leo Salter graduated as a chemist from the University of Leeds where his PhD in Radiation Chemistry examined condensed phase reaction mechanisms of free radicals and solvated electrons. Subsequently he undertook postdoctoral research on gas kinetics with Professor Brian Thrush FRS in the Department of Chemistry University of Cambridge. Leo then worked at the University of Zambia where he published studies of river eutrophication and in 1981 he moved to the University of Zimbabwe to work on oscillating reaction mechanisms. In 1983 as Associate Professor at the University of Natal he published a series of studies using hplc analysis of uv-irradiated DNA to provide data to computer simulate the mechanisms of DNA damage formation. Additional work involved germanium extraction, explosive stability and air quality. After a sabbatical year at the University of Lancaster (where he published on ozone-hydrocarbon interactions in plants) he returned to the UK and spent a year teaching secondary level chemistry before joining Cornwall College as Corporate Research Director. During this time he extended earlier work on DNA photochemistry by establishing the Cornwall Dermatology Research Group (which used the comet assay to explore skin cancer induction), worked on eutrophic freshwater systems (Loe Pool) and the remediation of arsenic contaminated land, and also established an Air Quality Consultancy Unit (which publishes on aspects of boundary layer pollution). From 2004-2010 he was a Senior Honorary Research Fellow at the Peninsula Medical School. Currently he is Chair of the RSC Environmental Chemistry Group and President Elect of the Environment, Sustainability and Energy Division. Since 2007 Leo has been Head of the Faculty of Business Enterprise and IT at Cornwall College and is currently working on a paper on business ethics. Leo has a BA and MA in English Literature, has published on D H Lawrence, and lives, sails and surfs in Cornwall.
Dr Andy Smith CChem FRSC
Immediate Past President
After a BSc in Biochemistry and PhD in Marine Biochemistry at Liverpool University, Andy Smith moved to the Chemistry Department of Glasgow University investigating analysis and biochemistry of human atheroma. Since 1977 he has been at the MRC Toxicology Unit now at Leicester University, with research interests that include genetics of haem and iron homeostasis and the toxicity of pollutants such as dioxins and PCBs. He has been a member of the government’s Committee of Toxicity as well as other committees and consultations, and is an ex-chairman of the RSC Occupational and Environmental Toxicology Group.
Mr Martyn Jones CChem FRSC
Water Science Forum Representative
Martyn is a water chemist with over 20 years experience in the water industry. He initially worked as an analytical chemist in both clean water and wastewater laboratories before moving into various operational, water quality, management and consultancy roles, with a particular interest in the problems associated with distribution networks. He currently works for United Utilities. He is a member of the Royal Society of Chemistry, has been a member of the Water Science Forum for over 15 years, served on the committee since 2003, and is currently Chairman.
Dr Michael Whitehouse CSci CChem FRSC
Energy Sector Representative
Dr John Harris CSci CChem MRSC
Member
John Harris is employed by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), and has a waste strategy and waste regulatory background. He has 20 years experience working in environmental protection with both SEPA and a former local authority. He is a trained internal auditor for SEPA’s Environmental Management System; and, an Eco Schools Assessor.
He is a member of the Green Business Fife (GBF) steering group and has acted as a judge for business awards such as the Green Business Fife Environment Awards; and the Vision in Business for the Environment of Scotland (VIBES) Awards.
His previous industrial career was spent mainly with BP Chemicals, Grangemouth and its subsidiaries. He has a PhD in Chemistry from Heriot Watt University.
Dr John Symonds BSc CChem MRSC
Member
Dr John Symonds has been active in environmental matters since starting his “Torrey Canyon” based PhD project 1970 at Nottingham University immediately on graduating from there in chemistry.
His 36 year industrial career has split equally first in the chemical and then the oil industry, most recently in SHE activities. His present role covers European regulatory issues, UK SHE Team Lead activities and Sustainability standardisation responsibilities.
He has extensive experience in SHE assessments of all types of oil industry installations, especially environment and regulatory compliance; he now coordinates company-wide activities on the Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme and pandemic flu planning and presents SHE performance and programme reports to various UK boards.
Within the Chemical industry, John was general manager of a high temperature hazardous waste incinerator, technical manager of an adhesives company and had both R&D and technical management roles in heavy duty coatings, especially organo-tin antifoulings.
He was a member of the BSI drafting team that produced BS8900:2006 guidance on sustainability management and is an international oil and gas industry Expert on the Work Group developing the ISO 26000 guidance standard on social responsibility. Other standards activities include biofuels sustainability, ISO 14001 and oversight responsibilities with a global certification body and the International Accreditation Forum.
Publications include 3 papers arising from the PhD, a book edited on “Total Quality Measurement in the Oil Industry” (1994) and various articles on quality and SHE standardisation.
Professor James Durrant BA PhF CChem MRSC
Member
James Durrant is Professor of Photochemistry in the Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, and Deputy Director of Imperial College’s Energy Futures Lab.
Following undergraduate studies in Physics, his PhD and postdoctoral studies focused on the primary processes of plant photosynthesis. He joined the Chemistry Department in 1999, where he established an interdisciplinary research group focusing upon chemical approaches to solar energy conversion – harnessing solar energy either to produce electricity (photovoltaics) or molecular fuels (e.g.: hydrogen).
His research is based around employing photochemical studies to elucidate design principles which enable technological development. His group is currently researching organic and dye sensitized nanostructured solar cells, as well as photoelectodes for solar fuel generation.
He has published over 170 research papers and 5 patents, and has recently been awarded the 2009 Environment Prize by the Royal Society of Chemistry.
Mr Paul Whitehead FRSC
EHSC Representative
Paul Whitehead is Chairman of the Royal Society of Chemistry Environment, Health and Safety Committee, which is focused on promoting a balanced understanding of the risks and benefits associated with the use of chemicals, based on sound science, sustainability and the public interest. Paul graduated with a degree in Physiology and Biochemistry from the University of Southampton and spent a number of years working as a Toxicologist and Product Safety Manager in the pharmaceutical and chemical industries. He is an American Board Certified Toxicologist and is currently the Product Stewardship Manager for Castrol Industrial Lubricants. He is also the Secretary of the British Toxicology Society.
Dr T Jones
Member
Dr Jeff Hardy
Member
Dr Jeff Hardy is Knowledge Exchange Manager at the UK Energy Research Centre and Future and Emerging Opportunities Manager at the Energy Generation and Supply Knowledge Transfer Network. He runs the National Energy Research Network which has over active 1000 members from academia, industry and Government. He is chair of the UK Carbon Capture and Storage Community Advisory Committee, a member of the Management Board for the UK Carbon Capture and Storage Centre and chair of the Board of Directors of the Green Chemistry Network, a not for profit company limited by guarantee. In the past he has been Environment and Energy Policy Manager at the Royal Society of Chemistry, an academic working on Green Chemistry, a water analyst and a research chemist in a nuclear laboratory.
Dr Susan Stuart
Co-opted member
Susan Stuart has 20 years experience which spans environment, risk assessment, programme management, procurement and partnerships. Her current work includes responsibility for environment, CSR and product safety as a European Director at Canon and she has worked in many sectors including transport, government, high tech and industry. She has been a member of the RSC for 15 years and graduated with a degree in Natural Sciences from Cambridge University.
Dr Brendan Keely
Member
