Akemi
Delivering international growth for STEM businesses
About Akemi
Akemi has been providing business development and commercialisation support services for STEM businesses since 2018.
Since founding Akemi Susan has successfully established a portfolio of interests, building on the foundations of over 35 years’ experience in the manufacturing sector; commercial management, stakeholder engagement, marketing, international business development, project scale-up, contract negotiations and supply chain.
Throughout her career Susan has worked with clients across the globe including Europe, the USA, and Japan. Her expertise is derived primarily from the chemical manufacturing sector and she has also worked for 2 major UK financial institutions, most recently as Head of Chemical Sector at Santander UK. This was a strategic role in which her remit was to help the business understand the needs of the chemical industry and thereby develop tailored financial solutions to facilitate growth.
A Physical Natural Sciences – Chemical Engineering graduate from the University of Cambridge, Susan passionately believes in the importance of innovation in science & engineering, for building a more sustainable society. She is an Industrial Advisory Group Member for BioYorkshire and a Changemakers business mentor, Specialty Chemicals committee member and Emerging Technologies competitions judge for the Royal Society of Chemistry.
Why work with Akemi?
Business needs analysis – with a strong techno-commercial perspective
- Execution – dynamic and professional approach with focus, diligence, discretion, energy, resilience and tenacity
- Strategic thinking – complex problem solving – the macro and the micro
- Relationship building – long term collaborative partnerships founded on reputation, integrity and trust
- Connections – established networks across industries, and across continents
- I do what I say I will do
Delivering growth for your business
Services offered
We are committed to offering a tailored service to our clients, and to always do what we say we are going to do. We believe in straight talking, integrity, discretion and trust leading to mutually beneficial outcomes. These are our core values.
A flexible service offering to include:
- Formulation and execution of market entry and business development strategies – scale-up and commercialisation of assets, products and co-products, competitor analysis, identification of target markets (for example, in order to maximise utilisation of manufacturing assets)
- Custom (contract/toll) manufacturing partnership solutions – identification and qualification of manufacturing partners.
- Optimisation of supply chains – assessing opportunities for more sustainable raw material sourcing, aligning demand to end product requirements (quality, quantity and phasing)
- Flexible resource as part of your team (on or off payroll) for:
- Contract negotiation & management – sub-contractors, suppliers, customers
- Business development
- Stakeholder engagement
- Grant submissions
- Commercial Due Diligence for Merger and Acquisition activity.
- “Interim” and part-time management – for start-ups or for companies undergoing structural change.
- Insight into the grant and funding landscape, and a deep understanding of the challenges of commercialisation for start-ups and micro businesses. Particular interest in the “green chemistry” and “biorenewables” space.
To complement these core activities, where necessary we engage with Associates having the necessary specialist skills in order to deliver added value solutions. Examples include: Regulatory Affairs, QHSE training and qualifications, Organisational Development, Mentoring and Coaching.
Dynamic and professional execution of growth strategies
Testimonials
“Having known Susan over many years and business interactions, I can thoroughly recommend her as an experienced and successful business development and consulting professional. Susan combines a wealth of real-world commercial experience with a passionate commitment and energy to deliver success. With her broad connections across the industry she is an ideal advisor for early stage businesses needing a combination of strategic and practical advice. Susan is highly personable, tenacious and thoroughly professional, with a true passion for STEM businesses and their important role in creating a sustainable future.”
David Astles
Coach and Mentor
Alastair Lloyd
Commercial Director at SEQENS Custom Specialties International
“I have known Susan now for some 30 years now including when she was directly employed by Pentagon Chemicals. She is engaging, inquisitive, thorough, committed and a powerhouse of energy. During the time she was in a senior commercial position for the team at Pentagon Chemicals she displayed all these qualities in abundance and was a key player in the recovery and growth of the business. Entrusted with Key Accounts in global markets in both the Fine and Specialty businesses, the term “safe pair of hands” would not do her contribution justice. She has always displayed a passion for the chemical industry and is always quick to champion this most key of manufacturing sectors.
After leaving Pentagon we had the chance to work together again on a project at Seqens Custom Specialties (former Chemoxy) where she displayed a thorough understanding of the brief and presented highly researched, well understood and logical presentation of her recommendations. I would not hesitate to recommend Susan to anyone looking to employ her talents”
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