To support continued growth Aberdeen-based microbiology, analytical services and biological material storage company NCIMB has appointed Dr Jude Huggan as business development manager, effective immediately. 

Jude, who holds a PhD in Medicinal Chemistry from the University of Strathclyde, has more than 15 years’ experience in the life sciences, pharma and biotech industries, and during her career has worked in both public and private sector organisations in a variety of roles including programme development and project management.  She joins NCIMB from the Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre (IBioIC) where she held the post of business development manager.  Notable successes in that post included delivering double digit growth with respect to the number of companies attracted to the centre and impressive industrial membership retention figures.  Jude was also responsible for implementing the UK’s first collaborative MSc in Industrial Biotechnology, which has now seen over 100 graduates secure jobs in the sector.

NCIMB Ltd manages the National Collection of Industrial, Food and Marine Bacteria, and provides a range of analytical and biological material services. The NCIMB culture collection includes thousands of ACDP hazard group 1 and 2 microbes isolated from all kinds of different environments and the company’s products and services are used around the globe in research and innovation programmes, and for compliance procedures such as quality control, intellectual property protection, microbial identification and environmental monitoring. Customers include companies in the pharmaceutical, food & drink, oil & gas, agriculture and environmental sectors, as well as academia.

In her role at NCIMB, Jude will focus on identifying new market opportunities for the company as well as managing the needs of existing customers in support of NCIMB’s ambitious growth strategy.

Commenting on her appointment Jude said: “NCIMB has an excellent and well-established reputation as a trusted provider of microbiology and analytical services across a number of industry sectors and this provides a great foundation for development.  I’m really looking forward to working with the dedicated and knowledgeable team to further enhance this reputation and grow the business”.

NCIMB’s CEO Dr Carol Phillips, added, “The Board and I are delighted that Jude has joined us at what is a very exciting time for the company, as we are introducing new products and services to complement our existing range and drive forward our global ambitions. Jude’s enthusiasm and experience will ensure our customers continue to receive a high-quality service”.