The company has appointed Jordan Petkov to its leadership team, taking on responsibility for its personal care and hygiene business in his role as global head of research and technology.
Petkov is based in Blackley, UK, and provides technical support for the company’s portfolio across hygeine, preservation, hair and skin care.
As Lonza expands into new personal care segments, Petkov will be heading up overseeing growth and strengthening its offering, the company said in a statement.
Technical expert
Petkov has worked in the chemical process industry for 15 years, according to Lonza, and brings to the company his experience across various roles in this area.
He began his career as a Science Area Leader for Unilever at the Research & Development Centre in Port Sunlight (UK).
Before joining Lonza, Petkov served for two years as a Global Research & Development Director for KLK Oleo in Petaling Jaya, Selangor (MY).
Petkov earned his Ph.D. in chemical physics and his M.S. degree in chemistry and physics at Sofia University in Sofia (BG). A Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry, he has co-authored 95 papers and has 15 patents registered or pending.
He is a Visiting Professor at the School of Physics and Astronomy, Manchester University in Manchester (UK) and at the Centre of Bioengineering and Biotechnologies, China University of Petroleum in Qingdao, Shandong (CN).
Strengthening UK presence
Lonza has long had a strong presence in the UK: indeed, in 2015, the company opened a new Global Centre of Hair Care Technology near Manchester.
At the time, it asserted that it looks to strengthen its R&D footprint and portfolio, and develop new products, building further on its increasingly global network or research and development.
“With the Global Centre of Skin Care Technology located in South Plainfield, New Jersey, and the Alpharetta Innovation Technology Centre located in Georgia – both in the United States – this global network will provide solutions that resonate with the scalp and hair care needs that today’s consumers around the world desire,” Penny Antonopoulos, Head of Global Marketing, Personal Care, said at the time.
The appointment of a UK-based global head of research and development looks set to build Lonza’s international profile further.