Job Title: Managing Director / Innovation Lead
Company: Lugnoo by SLN Sustainability / ATS Global
What is your background and how did you come to be in your present role?
I studied Product Design Engineering at Loughborough University and began my career designing ostomy bags and wound care devices for a Birmingham-based medical company, where I secured my first international design patent. Wanting to grow my knowledge, I then completed a biomedical engineering degree at Imperial College, specialising in biomaterials, before joining Johnson & Johnson. There I gained invaluable industry experience spanning across the newest manufacturing technologies across all their companies portfolio including pharma, medical devices and consumer.
Wanting to explore the digital space, I moved to ATS Global, where I’ve spent the last six years on the innovation team, collaborating with a range of manufacturing companies and research institutions. During this time, I also completed an MBA at Warwick University, enhancing my business knowledge to complement my technical expertise.
Most recently, I launched lignoo, a UK-made sustainable water bottle brand for children, which earned me the Unlocking Potential 2024 and the Women in Innovation 2025 awards from Innovate UK.
What has been your greatest challenge so far in your career?
Breaking into the industry and gaining a career in manufacturing. Back then, I didn’t know how to sell myself and what value that I would be able to bring to a business.
Once I did secure my first role, I loved it and I had a great team to work with. It’s important that we support younger people when securing the right roles at the right companies that fit them.
What has been your greatest achievement so far in your career?
Gaining the trust and the backing of the people I have worked with throughout my career. They showed me my value as a professional, for my knowledge and my skills. But also, as a trustworthy, reliable and fun person to be around.
I’ve kept in touch with many colleagues from the past and I admire them as well because they’ve been very skillful in their individual fields.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Don’t take yourself too seriously and just go for it. Following your instinct is the right approach.
Every three to five years, I take some time to reflect and wonder what my younger self would think if they saw me now? I know I would think that what I have been able to achieve is amazing.
At some point you may feel unsure about what your next steps are and that you aren’t progressing, but keep looking back at how far you have come.
How do you think we can raise the profile of careers in STEM?
The industry desperately needs more visible role models. I’ve come across some amazing young engineers, male engineers and female engineers who I would have loved to have met when I was feeling lost. Being able to see examples of how others achieved great things – and the steps they took to get there – would have helped me greatly.
We need to be providing hands-on experience – whether that’s apprenticeships, work experience or shadowing days – allowing people to see the variety of careers in manufacturing.
What is your favourite engineered/manufactured product?
While I couldn’t live without my washing machine – a breakthrough product that historically relieved many women from domestic chores and gave them the freedom to pursue careers and lives on their own terms – my favourite engineered product is the sustainable water bottle we’re launching under my brand, LIGNOO.
It’s not just a product – it represents everything I believe in: innovative biomaterials, UK-based responsible manufacturing, and complete transparency through digital product passports. It’s designed with parents and the planet in mind, using lignin bioplastics made from renewable natural waste, and produced with a clear understanding of its entire lifecycle impact. It’s proof that beautiful, safe, and genuinely sustainable consumer products can – and should – be made right here in the UK.
Please give one interesting fact about yourself that not many people know.
In my early days as a young engineer, I used to carry more than just the usual lipstick in my handbag—I always had a screwdriver, a vernier caliper, and a set of Allen keys tucked in there too. You’d be surprised how often they came in handy during spontaneous shopfloor visits!
What advice would you give to someone considering a career in manufacturing?
Focus on continuous learning. There are many ways to do that, whether through university, online videos, courses, talking to people or networking.
Try to work in multi-disciplinary teams so you openly have opportunities to expand your knowledge and understand what others are doing, why they are doing it and what the purpose is.
Finally, if you ever feel as if you’re not learning anything anymore, then it’s time for a change. Get uncomfortable when you feel too comfortable
