Our People : Amy Walsh

Introduce yourself...When and why did you join Safic-Alcan? What made you consider joining us?

After completing my Chemistry PhD at Sheffield University, I started working for an Aerosol company, developing new formulations for the Personal Care market. I accidently fell into a career working with Cosmetics and Personal Care but since then I have never looked back.

I joined Safic-Alcan 5 years ago. I know it sounds cheesy but as soon as I seen the job advertisement it was like it was written for me. I love being creative and developing relationships so the possibility to work with all of our cosmetic raw materials to create new and innovative solutions for the Beauty market really appealed with me. I love working with people and learning from them. The opportunity to work with so many diverse and knowledgeable suppliers in the market means I’m learning from them every day.

How do you experience your relationship with other collaborators, partners, principals or customers?

We strive to have a close relationship with our Principals, global lab network, internal team and customers. The Safic-Alcan UK lab is part of a bigger Safic-Alcan Lab network over the globe. We regularly connect and share ideas. Our close relationship with our Principals means we frequently share ideas to create solutions to match current market trends. The trends change very quickly in the Life Science sector and we strive to be ahead of these trends. This can only be made possible by the supportive network we are part of at Safic-Alcan.  

What is something curious or funny we should know about you? (your hobbies, passions, etc)

In my spare time, I play for my local Roller Derby Team called Liverpool Roller Birds. It’s a team sport where we skate on quad skates on an oval track. It’s a contact sport, very high energy and keeps you very fit! I love all the people I have met through it and love the team comradery it brings with it. I’m currently having a small break from the sport but can’t wait to get back! Being part of team sport has taught me so much about winning, losing and learning new things.

How do you try to incorporate Safic values of Commitment, Differentiation, Ethics, Trust & Reliability, Sustainable Development, Team Work, Transparency in your day-to-day work ?

I strive to live more sustainably so I’m lucky I can incorporate this value into new formulations we create for the Personal Care and Homecare market. This is only made possible by being a part of a supportive and collaborative R&D team where we bounce ideas off each other and help solve problems. It’s a nice feeling to work with your team to create innovative products that you eventually see on the shop shelf.

Do you have any illustrative fun/light stories to share from your time at Safic-Alcan? 

Our lab is a relaxed and fun environment to work in. During covid we made a move to be more online with our webinars and look for new and cool ways to showcase our ingredients whilst still being ahead of the trends. Since then, we record everything we do in the lab, whether it’s day-to-day activities or making a formulation. Our lab is becoming part studio and I love it!

Our most recent recorded webinars as part of the Saf’Academy Series were based around Eco-Conscious Beauty. The great thing about recorded webinars is they can re-watched. However, I am looking forward to doing more in-person events and networking now places are opening up.

What is the one main takeaway candidates wanting to join Safic-Alcan should know and look forward to?

No day is the same! You will learn so much about the Personal Care sector and have the opportunity to grow your skills in which ever career path you choose.

Safic-Alcan in 5 words:

Creative, Leaders, Team, Network, Learners