ACCSYS Technologies :: Advancing technology for a better world

Expert advisors support the Group’s businesses. Each individual advisor brings relevant industry and commercial experience and contributes to developing and implementing the Group companies’ business strategies. These advisors are drawn from industry, finance and advisory groups.

Accsys Group companies also retain appropriate consultants and advisors to assist in the evaluation development and implementation of its projects and technology. These include research institutes, marketing and engineering professionals and specialists in raw materials procurement.

Adrian Wyn-Griffiths, Chief Legal Officer & Company Secretary, Accsys Technologies PLC & Titan Wood Ltd

Adrian is responsible for all legal, intellectual property and company secretarial matters within the group. With extensive multi-cultural experience, gained in both the FMCG and Defence sectors, Adrian has been involved in adding strategic and commercial value to complex business matters and advising on legal and regulatory risk associated with business decisions. He has also advised companies, directors and senior executives in relation to corporate governance, compliance and business ethics questions and agreed and contested national and international cross border transactions. Adrian qualified in 1989, having trained at SJ Berwin in London and Salans in Paris, and also spent time in various legal roles at Diageo, Scottish & Newcastle and Thales before joining the Company in November 2007.

Chris Adair, Director of Research & Development, Titan Wood Limited

Chris is responsible for global Research & Development activities. His experience includes technical and business roles in R&D and production within large multi-national chemical firms and small start-ups. Chris holds a Masters degree in Chemistry from the University of Arizona and a B.S. in Biochemistry from Texas Tech University. At The Dow Chemical Company, Chris conducted research in the fields of nuclear medicine and fluorescent cancer diagnostics. At Macrocyclics, he was responsible for production management and technical sales in the field of cancer diagnostics and therapeutics research and, as the Innovation Manager for Celanese’s Acetyls Business Unit, Chris led teams working on novel bio-fuels and plasticizers development. In his spare time, Chris makes wine, builds and flies radio controlled helicopters and spends time with his wife and daughters.

David Morris, VP Business Development (Middle East & Asia), Titan Wood Limited

David is responsible for negotiating, developing and managing licence agreements in the Middle East & Asia and supporting licensee sales and marketing plans. Educated in the UK, David gained 33 years’ experience in the chemicals industry with Hoechst and Celanese. In 2003, he joined HC Starck (formerly Bayer), selling refractory metals to the industrial, electronics and aerospace industries in Europe, Africa, the Middle East and India. During his career, David has held senior positions in marketing and sales management, including developing sales teams in Europe & Asia, where he has lived for prolonged periods.

David C. Popejoy, VP of Sales & Marketing, Titan Wood Inc.

David is responsible for worldwide Sales & Marketing activity for Titan Wood Limited. He has over 20 years’ professional experience, including at senior management level in manufacturing, sales and general management, gained with companies including Procter & Gamble Co. and Weyerhaeuser Co. Prior to joining Titan Wood, he successfully ran his own consulting company. David holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University, Indiana, and an MBA from Northwestern University, Illinois. He is married with two children and enjoys mountain climbing, cycling and golf in his spare time.

Jeff Wharton, Director of Panel Products, Titan Wood Inc.

Jeff is responsible for all activities of the Panel Products division including Market Development, R&D, Product testing and Market introduction. After graduating with a degree in Business and Political Science from Stephen F. Austin State University, Jeff has acquired almost 20 years of experience in the wood products and ceramic tile industries, demonstrating strong leadership and team development skills while directing sales, marketing, and operations teams. His experience includes successful launches of innovative engineered-wood products in the door and plantation shutter industries. Jeff joined Titan Wood in February 2009.

Rik van den Handel, Director of Global Logistics & Procurement, Titan Wood Inc.

Rik is responsible for negotiating, developing and managing supplier agreements for all operational aspects of Titan Wood Limited and Titan Wood B.V. These responsibilities include overseeing the logistical and purchasing solutions for raw materials such as lumber and chemicals, as well as all required machinery. Educated in Southern Africa, Rik gained 26 years’ experience in the chemicals industry with Celanese. In addition to his vast experience in global logistics, Rik has also held senior positions in chemical sales and project management, developing relationships in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.

Robert Rapier, Engineering Director, Accsys Technologies PLC

Robert is responsible for global engineering activities. His experience includes engineering roles in R&D, design, process, and production with Celanese, Hoechst, and ConocoPhillips. Robert holds an MSc in Chemical Engineering from Texas A&M University, BSc degrees in Chemistry and Mathematics, and was a recipient of the 1996 Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge award for his graduate school research on biomass chemistry. His previous experience includes cellulosic ethanol, butanol production, oil refining, natural gas production, and gas-to-liquids (GTL) production, and he has been a technical consultant for a number of biofuel projects. Robert holds several US and international patents pertaining to these roles, and has worked in the US, Germany, the UK, and the Netherlands. In his spare time he enjoys writing about energy and the environment for The Oil Drum and his R-Squared Energy Blog, and spending time with his wife and three children.

Roger Steakley, Director, Business Analysis, Titan Wood B.V.

Roger is responsible for Titan Wood’s Business Planning & Analysis activities which include financial and commercial activities with Licensees and internal project analysis. After graduating with a degree in Economics and Finance from Stephen F. Austin State University and gaining an MBA from The University of Houston, Clear Lake, in 1986, Roger joined Union Exploration in Houston for a short time before moving to Celanese Corp. in 1988. Roger held various financial positions within Celanese over a 20 year career. His primary focus was in the chemicals division with positions that included Manager of Business Planning & Analysis and Business Analysis Manager for the Acetyls business group. At Celanese Roger had responsibility for all phases of financial analysis, including major capital expansion, mergers, acquisitions, divestitures and budgeting/forecasting. Roger joined Titan Wood in January 2008.

Rombout van Herwijnen, General Manager, Titan Wood B.V.

Rombout is responsible for all activities in Arnhem. As a serial entrepreneur, his experience will drive the expansion of the productive capacity, developing the resources and resilience of the organisation whilst supporting licensing efforts. After graduating with an MSc in Chemical Engineering from the Technical University Delft, The Netherlands, in 1986, he joined Heineken International. He held various production roles in Germany, France, Morocco and The Netherlands. He then transferred to Van Leer Packaging, holding a position as managing director of one of the business units. He bought the unit and invested in a further 3 companies in the packaging industry. In 2003, he sold his interest in the packaging activities and invested in an engineering business, selling to the US, UK and China. He joined Titan Wood in May 2007.