Innovation Project Leader of Unilever Research, Colworth, UK
Starting out in plant sciences was ideal because I experienced the best of both worlds; the research was cutting edge and exploratory in nature, but at the same time I was gradually being introduced to the Unilever business.
Until recently I have been working on innovation projects to do with Lipton ice tea and leaf tea. It was fascinating to work in a team with people from such widely differing fields - from microbiology to manufacturing and marketing. I particularly enjoyed spending six months seconded to our marketing team in Paris. Our group has provided the marketing and product development teams with some breakthrough science which will really improve a product currently on the market. I can't say any more right now - watch this space!
Bringing technology to business, you learn to communicate your science in different ways. Non-scientists tend to see things in a broader context and that's helped me see the bigger picture. I love working with experts from different disciplines, all of whose inputs are necessary to get the product from lab bench to market.
A few months ago I moved to the home & personal care side of the business to work in our deodorants category. It’s really fascinating, learning how this part of the business works and I am working on some really exciting and fast-growing brands including Rexona (Sure in the UK), Axe (Lynx in the UK) and Dove. One of the great things about working for Unilever is that you never need to leave the organisation to experience how different businesses and brands work.
