Honorary Professor, Chemistry
Biography
Following a Degree and PhD at Imperial College (the latter under the supervision of Nobel Laureate Professor Sir Geoffrey Wilkinson) Bob spent 35 years in the Chemical industry. He played a pivotal role in the invention and development of several “new to the world” technologies that continue to afford real environmental benefits. He came to St Andrews in 2002 to set up a new European Corporate Research organisation for global energy and chemicals company Sasol. In 2017 he led the establishment of Drochaid Research Services Ltd. Following his planned retirement in January 2021 he has become involved with several new ventures including Fuel Change, https://fuelchange.co.uk/ a Social Enterprise which aims to create a carbon-neutral future designed by the next generation. To achieve this it works to enable and empower 16-24 year olds with the focus on apprentices and school pupils.
Bob served on the Scottish Science Advisory Council, Scotland’s highest level science advisory body, providing independent advice and recommendations on science strategy, policy and priorities to the Scottish Government. He was Chair of Chemical Sciences Scotland, the Industry leadership group for Scotland’s £9bn chemical sector. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh and the Royal Society of Chemistry.
In June 2024, Bob was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire for services to science and industry.