Surface Coatings Interest Group Launches at British Coatings Federation Event

A Surface Coatings Interest Group held its public launch last month at the Hilton Hotel in Nottingham. The group were invited to link up with the British Coatings Federation Technical Seminar also taking place.

The day began with a series of talks and workshops on new advances in coatings materials. Following these technical sessions, the Surface Coatings Interest Group introduced themselves to the delegates, with short presentations from chair Jonathan Bourne and our head of membership, David Barr, before hosting a drinks reception.

The group’s committee members were on hand to chat to delegates about how they can get involved in the group and there was a lot of interest in the benefits and support available through membership of the Royal Society of Chemistry. Opportunities for professional development were of particular interest, with many senior managers commenting that the support for vocational career paths through our registers, RSciTech and RSci, would be very valuable for their employees.

Chair of the group, Jonathan Bourne said: “It was particularly enjoyable for me to hold the group’s launch back in Nottinghamshire, where I started my own career in the paint industry. It’s incredibly important for the surface coatings industry that we reach out to scientists in the early stages of their career and show them the hugely diverse opportunities available in the field. Through the Royal Society of Chemistry interest group, we’re able to connect with industry and provide a network of support that reaches chemists of all career stages.”

The group has grown rapidly since its creation in January this year and now has over 180 members spanning industry and academia. The committee includes representation from SMEs, large companies, recruitment, consultancy and academic institutions. They look forward to supporting the industry sector and building further collaborations at industry events and with our other interest groups and local sections.

“One of the main benefits of being involved in the group is to have your thinking challenged and stimulated by the diverse array of members,” says Jonathan.  “It’s a great opportunity for Royal Society of Chemistry members to network and build collaborations across industry and academia. We are very grateful to the British Coatings Federation for the platform they have given us to launch this exciting new group.”