Dr Andrew West

Andrew obtained his 1st class degree in chemistry from the University of Leicester in 2001 and remained at the university to read for a PhD specialising in sustainable fluorine chemistry, inorganic synthesis and catalysis.

In 2004 Andrew successfully defended his thesis and was awarded a doctorate in chemistry. He moved to Belfast in Northern Ireland to work as a postdoctoral research assistant at Queen's University Belfast as a member of QUILL, the world-renowned centre of excellence in ionic liquids and sustainable chemistry. Here, he supported the group while carrying out research for BP as part of a multi-million pound project. Andrew also helped to write and was editor of the successful application for a Queen's Anniversary Prize by QUILL; a highly prestigious award bringing further recognition for the university and additional funding resources of over £1 million.

Andrew returned to Britain in 2006 to take up a role as a Technology Translator for Crystal Faraday, a DTI-sponsored body promoting green and sustainable chemistry in the UK. Shortly after this, Crystal merged with two other chemistry-related Faraday Partnerships to become Chemistry Innovation. Andrew became a Project Formulator and Programme Manager for Fluorum, the network set up to promote fluorine chemistry in the UK and Europe. He also had responsibility for helping to manage Chemistry Innovation's portfolio of UK projects sponsored by the DTI and EPSRC, with a combined investment value of over £40m.

In 2007 Andrew joined Pera as a Technical Project Manager in the Environmental Technology Practice. His background in sustainability, project management and innovation make him ideally suited for the position. He is also a member of the Royal Society of Chemistry and an Honorary Visiting Fellow of the University of Leicester.