The current Commercial group will take on a new shape with the realignment of commercial activities to form two new functions; a Director of Strategic Planning and a Director of Sales, Marketing & Operations.

Liam Smith is appointed as the group’s new Global Director of Sales, Marketing & Operations, and joins the Executive Management Team in his new role. Liam’s role will oversee all day-to-day sales, product management, principal management, marketing activities, and worldwide operations. Liam joined Cornelius over 5 years ago to head up the Strategic Marketing Team and has developed several new technology platforms for the business, delivering significant positive change for Cornelius. Liam has a background in chemistry and worked in the chemical industry for over 25 years, prior to joining Cornelius he held various sales, marketing, and business development roles at global chemical distribution and production companies, including Croda, Aston Chemicals and Boots.

Liam Smith

As part of Cornelius’ strategy to ‘deliver the difference’ and drive forward innovation for an improved customer experience, the other new function is Director of Strategic Planning, this role is currently vacant and is being held by group CEO Phillip Gibbons until successfully recruited. This role covers leadership for the Innovation & Technology department, all non-commercialised strategic projects, development of strategy and creation of new strategic projects, and development and management of our Third-party manufacturing partners.

As members of the Executive Management Team, both roles will report to CEO Phillip Gibbons. Liam will commence transitioning into his new role with immediate effect and recruitment is ongoing for the role of Director of Strategic Planning.

Comment from Phillip Gibbons, Cornelius Chief Executive Officer:

“I am pleased to announce these important strategic changes to the group’s Executive Management team, the move to create a combined function with Sales, Marketing and Operations will enable our teams to work more closely together and deliver an even better experience for our customers. I am thrilled that Liam has agreed to take on the role, he has supported the group’s innovation growth over the last few years and brings insightful industry expertise and extensive market knowledge across both our Distribution and Manufacturing businesses. I warmly welcome him to the EMT table and I have every confidence that he will continue to successfully “deliver the difference” in his new role.”

Cornelius Board of Directors

The Cornelius Board welcomes the addition of two new Non-Executive Directors; Peter Cartwright and Danielle Moore.

Peter is a Former Dow Corning executive who held various roles in plant leadership for hazardous and batch manufacturing as well as senior roles in global R&D and as a regional president.

Danielle currently works at Wacker Chemie, as Managing Director Nordic/Baltics & Sales Director EMEA Performance Silicones, she has many years of experience in the chemical industry spanning sales, marketing, and general management.

Peter Cartwright

Danielle Moore

Comment from Neville Prior, Chairman of Cornelius:

“We are delighted to welcome Peter and Danielle to the Cornelius Board of Directors. Their combined, synergistic experiences in the chemical industry will be a huge asset in helping us create a long-term strategy to deliver the difference for our employees, customers, suppliers and the communities where we operate. With these new appointments to both the Board of Directors and Executive Management Team at Cornelius, we are setting ourselves up for a healthy business and in the right way for a successful future.”

As a result of these changes, Ian Pearce, the current Commercial Director has decided to leave Cornelius to pursue another opportunity.

The announced change to the Cornelius Executive Management Team and Executive Board of Directors is effective from 1st September 2022.

Contact Us

For further information please contact Caroline Sharp (Market Insights & Communication Manager) caroline.sharp@cornelius.co.uk