Claire Francis

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

SKILLS

ABOUT CLAIRE FRANCIS

I am a PhD-qualified chemist with an MBA and over 30 years’ experience working closely with senior industrial and academic chemists to deliver high-quality professional conferences, training courses, and scientific events worldwide.Since 2015, I have been a co-owner of Scientific Update Ltd, a specialist organisation providing conferences and technical training for the pharmaceutical, fine chemical, and organic chemistry communities. Over the past decade, I have led our marketing, business development, and financial strategy, helping to shape the company’s growth while maintaining its reputation for scientific rigour, professionalism, and community focus.In January 2026, as part of a wider business restructure to support future growth, I took on the role of Chief Executive Officer, with a renewed focus on strategic direction, partnerships, and long-term sustainability, while remaining closely involved with our scientific programmes and stakeholder relationships.Alongside my commercial work, I am deeply committed to supporting women and early-career chemists. I am a co-founder of EWOC Europe (Empowering Women in Organic Chemistry), a conference established to provide women with opportunities to present their work to an international audience, with a particular focus on visibility, role models, and community within organic and process chemistry.I am also proud to support the next generation of scientists through initiatives such as an award programme enabling PhD organic chemists to attend and present at our UK-based Winter Process Chemistry Conference.