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Our People

Developing our skills, capabilities and knowledge through investment in our people

At Optimat we have always recognised that our consultants are our greatest strength. Since our establishment in 1989, we have built a strong team of professionals with broad technical and commercial expertise, enabling us to advise clients on business and economic development across a wide range of industries, markets and technologies.

Our consultants are highly qualified in their respective fields, with several holding MBAs. Together, they combine technical knowledge with commercial understanding and a clear sense of responsibility, using their skills to help clients enhance their sustainability and contribute positively to the markets and sectors they serve.

Deborah Creamer
Managing Director & Senior Consultant
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Hayley Welsh
Director & Senior Consultant
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Ashley Stewart
Director & Senior Consultant
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Iain Weir
Senior Consultant
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John Taylor
Senior Consultant
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Joginder Fagura
Senior Consultant
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Mark Morrison
Senior Consultant
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Jordan Stodart
Senior Consultant
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Jolanta Beinaroviča
Senior Consultant
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Lesley Tobin
Senior Consultant
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Grace Crawford
Consultant
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Ed Leigh
Consultant
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Deborah Creamer

Managing Director

I’m Deborah Creamer, the Managing Director of Optimat. I’m passionate about helping organisations and businesses make smarter, evidence-based decisions, especially when it comes to innovation, technology, and long-term growth.

I’ve been part of the Optimat team since 1998, specialising in strategic industrial analysis for high-tech sectors. Over the years, I’ve built up a deep understanding of what drives success in innovation and economic development, and I enjoy working with clients to turn data and insight into meaningful action.

I specialise in advanced materials and manufacturing and the industries in which they play a key role – ranging from aerospace to medical devices. My particular area of expertise is in funding for innovation, spanning a broad spectrum from evaluating R&D and innovation funding application to developing business cases for significant innovation assets in Scotland and the UK. I’ve supported many organisations to craft successful funding applications whether that is for a small R&D project or a state-of-the-art innovation centre and it’s incredibly rewarding to help secure the backing that great ideas need to become reality. Ibelieve in the power of innovation, collaboration, and practical thinking to create lasting impact, for businesses, industries, and communities.

Before joining Optimat, my career started in materials R&D and new product development, working with BP International and Bourns Electronics Inc. That hands on industry experience gave me a solid foundation in how technologies evolve and get to market.

I hold a BSc (Hons) in Metallurgy and Materials Engineering, an MBA, and I’m a Chartered Engineer.

Hayley Welsh

Director & Senior Consultant

I’m Hayley Welsh, a Director and Senior Consultant at Optimat. I’ve been working in consultancy for more than 23 years, helping organisations make evidence-based decisions that drive growth, competitiveness and long-term success. My work spans both private and public sectors, from shaping strategies and policies to supporting companies with commercialisation and business planning.

Much of my experience lies in demand analysis, economic evaluation, market assessment and supply chain mapping. I’ve led projects that test market demand for new initiatives, benchmark performance to guide policy, and assess the impact of strategic investments in innovation and infrastructure. At the heart of my work is a focus on turning research and analysis into clear, practical outputs that clients can act on with confidence.

I have particular expertise in developing strategies and action plans, gathering and interpreting evidence, and engaging with stakeholders to build consensus. A big part of my role is bringing clarity to complexity, whether that’s translating research into recommendations, identifying opportunities for improvement, or ensuring that the evidence gathered directly supports decision-making.

I also bring strong project management skills, having coordinated large multi-stakeholder projects at both UK and European levels. I’m highly experienced in qualitative and quantitative research, from survey design and structured interviews to data analysis, and I take pride in communicating findings clearly and effectively to clients at all levels.

I hold a BA (Hons) in International Business and Modern Languages from the University of Strathclyde and an MBA from the Open University.

Dr Ashley Stewart

Director & Senior Consultant

I’m Ashley, a Director and Senior Consultant at Optimat. I specialise in digital and data technologies, from AI and Automation to Space, Immersive and Geospatial, helping to advance Scotland’s wider enabling technologies.  I support the growth of high-innovation sectors where Scotland has the potential to lead globally.

For over 15 years at Optimat, I’ve helped industries, organisations and governments use digital and emerging technologies to unlock growth and sharpen their competitiveness. Recent work has focused on AI, building a clearer picture of Scotland’s capabilities and adoption opportunities, and on Space, where I’ve delivered insights that shape strategies for industry growth, Net Zero pathways and new infrastructure, such as spaceports. Across the full breadth of digital and emerging technologies, my role is about turning evidence into action and ensuring Scotland stays globally competitive as technologies and industries evolve.

Another core area of expertise is cluster development and strategy. I established, and now lead, Location Data Scotland, building it from the ground up into a vibrant geospatial community. Beyond geospatial, I’ve developed roadmaps and action plans across digital technologies, advanced manufacturing and materials, and aerospace. This combines market and technology analysis with stakeholder engagement to map assets, identify opportunities and design interventions that support innovation and competitiveness.

Before joining Optimat, I worked as a Research Technologist in academia, gaining insight into how technologies move from research to real-world application. That experience, combined with two decades in consultancy, enables me to bridge research, policy and industry to help clients make smarter, evidence-based decisions. I hold a BA in Marketing, an MSc in IT & Web Development, and a PhD in Technology Enhanced Learning & Communities of Practice.

Iain Weir

Senior Consultant

I’m Iain Weir, formerly Managing Director of Optimat.  I joined Optimat in 1990 and now have over 35 years’ experience of strategy, innovation and economic development consultancy. I am now working part-time as a senior consultant as a stepping stone to retirement in the future.

During my time at Optimat, I’ve worked to support company growth, innovation and economic development across a range of sectors, and I enjoy working with clients to turn data and insight into meaningful action.  I’m proud to have had an integral role over that time in developing Optimat into an internationally recognised strategy consultancy.

One of my key areas of expertise is the development of the low carbon economy, a topic of increasing importance for today’s industries.  I think this is a challenging area for industry and the public sector to address as there can be several solutions offered to reduce carbon impacts, often without a strong evidence base to support their use. I enjoy pursuing an evidence-based analyses of these options to provide valuable insights to stakeholders.

Before joining Optimat, I worked in research and development in the electro-optic materials sector, developing and marketing innovative high-tech materials for a range of applications.  This industrial experience has strongly influenced my approach to assisting companies with their innovation activities.

I hold a BSc (1st class Hons) in Chemistry, a PhD in Chemistry, and an MBA.  I think this strong scientific background has enabled me to pursue an evidence-based and analytical approach to consultancy.

John Taylor

Senior Consultant

I’m John Taylor, a Senior Consultant at Optimat. Since joining the company in 2003, I have developed specialisms in sustainability and net zero related studies. This includes projecting future market demand scenarios, profiling regional supply chain capabilities, identifying and evaluating public sector support interventions and understanding future net zero skills needs across transport, built environment, energy transition, industrial decarbonisation and waste and the circular economy.

I am also one of the lead consultants for economic impact assessments and evaluation of challenge-fund programme and project applications. An experienced innovation due diligence assessor, I focus on reviewing R&D project applications with environmental outcomes. I like to work with good people in teams that deliver insights and outputs that clients value.

Prior to joining Optimat, I started a company to create online platforms to catalyse collaboration between companies and research organisations. Before this, I spent seven years working in the Scottish economic development network, supporting start-up and growing businesses, across all sectors, to develop business plans and access funding.

I have a BA(hons) in Business Economics and Marketing, an MSc in Entrepreneurial Studies and an MSc in Economic Management & Policy with Environmental Economics.

Joginder Fagura

Senior Consultant

I’m Joginder, a Senior Consultant at Optimat. I specialise in designing and delivering evidence-based economic development and sector growth strategies, working with public sector clients across the UK. My passion lies in translating complex evidence into practical recommendations that help organisations and industries make smarter investment and policy decisions.

I started my career in consultancy with Optimat in 2000. I’ve led and contributed to high-profile studies spanning advanced materials and manufacturing, clean energy industries, life sciences and medical devices. Much of my work has focused on mapping supply chains, identifying market opportunities, benchmarking international best practice, and shaping innovation ecosystems.

I particularly enjoy projects that bring industry, academia, and government together to explore how innovation can drive sustainable growth.

Prior to joining Optimat, I worked as a material scientist, designing bespoke, high-performance materials for demanding application. This practical grounding in industrial research and product development has been invaluable in understanding both the technical and commercial realities of innovation, enabling me to provide clients with advice that is both evidence-based and pragmatic.

I hold a BSc (Hons) in Chemistry from Brunel University and an MSc in Polymer Sciencefrom Lancaster University.

Mark Morrison

Senior Consultant

I’m Mark, a Senior Consultant at Optimat. I specialise in life sciences and sustainability, working closely with clients to help them understand new technology and market opportunities as well as workforce skills requirements to enable these to become reality.

I’ve been with Optimat since 2015 and worked with a range of public sector clients to deliver insightful market and sector analyses in subject areas including synthetic biology, chemical manufacturing, carbon capture utilisation and storage, medical devices, decarbonised transport, and renewable energy. I’ve also supported private sector clients to secure grant funding from Scottish, UK and European agencies, and have coordinated a number of European Commission funded projects.

Before joining Optimat I was the CEO of the Institute of Nanotechnology, a not-for-profit organisation that was instrumental in raising the profile and opportunities in nanotechnology for UK and European businesses. This provided me with first-hand experience of engaging and collaborating with a range of stakeholders in private, public and third sector organisations across Europe.

I hold a BSc (Hons) in Molecular Biology from the University of Glasgow and a PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of Manchester.

Jordan Stodart

Senior Consultant

I’m Jordan, a Senior Consultant at Optimat. I specialise in digital and data technologies, especially novel and emerging fields such as AI, IoT, immersive tech, and quantum computing. I support the development of high-growth, high-innovation sectors by delivering studies that make a meaningful impact and help shape industries now and in the future.

I’m very passionate about helping industries navigate change by identifying challenges, uncovering opportunities and designing strategies that address both. This often involves leveraging cutting-edge technologies to improve efficiency, productivity and competitiveness.

In recent years, I’ve built a strong understanding of the innovation landscape by mapping sector ecosystems, assessing R&D funding bids, contributing to European RD&I consortia, and ultimately delivering a wide range of sector studies in key growth sectors such as digital/data, low carbon and net zero, high value manufacturing, the built environment, and more.

Before joining Optimat, I co-founded a digital tech start-up, an experience that grounded me in the everyday realities of running a business. That perspective has been especially useful in an employee-owned company like Optimat, where everyone helps shape the direction of the business.

I hold an MA (Hons) English Literature and an MLitt (Masters) degree from the University of Glasgow, where I mentor students on the MSc FinTech programme. I also support Scotland’s future entrepreneurs through Young Enterprise’s Company Connect programme where I also provide mentorship.

Jolanta Beinaroviča

Senior Consultant

I’m Jolanta, a Senior Consultant at Optimat, where I specialise in the life sciences sector, including pharmaceuticals, industrial biotechnology, medical technology, and digital health. Iam particularly interested in how these fields are shaped and enabled by emerging technologies.

My work focuses on supporting clients across industry and public sector to make informed, strategic decisions. I am passionate about techno-market research and forecasting, and I draw on a strong foundation in science and technology to help clients identify opportunities and build a competitive advantage to deliver economic and societal benefits.

Since joining Optimat in 2022, I have contributed to a wide range of projects, including targeted market research studies, industrial sector profiling, capability audits, commercial opportunity mapping, commercialisation planning, and skills and workforce forecasting. I also have significant experience in due diligence, having evaluated numerous R&D grant proposals across various funding mechanisms. Alongside this, I have supported clients with programme design and undertaken several project and programme evaluations.

Before Optimat, I worked as an R&D scientist in several engineering biology spinouts and also gained experience as a casual academic and medical writer. This background has given me a strong analytical skillset and deep insight into early-stage technology transfer and commercialisation, which I now apply to help clients develop robust, evidence-informedstrategies towards achieving their goals.

I hold a BSc (Hons) in Biotechnology & Biochemistry and a PhD in Synthetic Biology. I am currently pursuing an MBA (Technology Management), with the support of Optimat.

Lesley Tobin

Consultant

I’m Lesley, and I lead communications, dissemination and stakeholder engagement activities at Optimat for complex, multi-partner European research and innovation projects. My role involves translating scientific and technical results into materials that are meaningful, accessible and policy-relevant – whether that’s through designing and managing project websites; compiling articles, papers, reports, newsletters, and social media campaigns; or producing high-level policy briefs.

What I enjoy most is ensuring that the vital work that goes on in these projects doesn’t just stay in the labs but captures the attention of the relevant stakeholders in research, industry, policy and – importantly - the general public. That means thinking strategically about who needs to hear what, when, and how. I relish the challenge of distilling complex ideas into compelling messages and designing content that helps projects reach and engage their target audiences.

Prior to and during my time at Optimat, I’ve worked on a large number of publicly-funded projects across areas including nanotechnology, micro and nanoplastics, biotechnology, agriculture, water contamination and enzymes. I’ve coordinated EU-wide work packages, run international stakeholder consultations, and chaired working groups for large scale collaborations. I’m also experienced in proposal writing, coordination, and exploitation planning.

My background is in IT, Classics and education – I hold a BA in Ancient Mediterranean Studies and Ancient Greek; postgraduate teaching diplomas; an MSc degree in Information Technology and Prince2 practitioner certification. That blend of technical know-how, language and pedagogy has shaped how I approach communication: with curiosity, creativity and clarity.

Grace Crawford

Consultant

I’m Grace, a consultant at Optimat. With an engineering background, I specialise in low carbon and renewable technologies, from established to more emerging industries including offshore wind, solar, energy storage and heat decarbonisation.

During my time at Optimat, I’ve been a part of a range of projects, building experience inskills analyses, due diligence, industry landscaping and benchmarking. I’ve further developed strong data analysis and interpretation skills, including database design and complex data modelling, enabling me to build robust datasets and perform in-depth analyses, generatingvaluable insights and informing strategic recommendations.

I’m passionate about how policy and innovation shape the journey to net zero, how it affects industry, the supply chain and individual consumers, within an ever-changing landscape.While my specialism lies in sustainability, I’ve had the opportunity to apply my skills across a range of sectors such as aerospace, leadership development, and innovation ecosystems.

Prior to joining Optimat I worked as a project engineer in the low carbon heat and energy industry, working on several complex public and private sector projects. This gave me an on-the-ground insight into the decarbonisation of heat and energy across a range of industries and has allowed me to bring that perspective to my role as consultant, with an in-depth understanding of the challenges faced by stakeholders and the supply chain in the journey to net zero.

I hold a BEng (Hons) in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Glasgow, and an MSc with Distinction in Sustainable Engineering from the University of Strathclyde.

Ed Leigh

Consultant

I am Ed, a Consultant at Optimat. I’m passionate about turning complex climate and nature concepts into clear, actionable insights. My core expertise is around carbon appraisal and management, climate/social innovation development, and product supply chain mapping/market strategy.

I especially enjoy collaborating with clients and stakeholders to shape meaningful action, combining robust quantitative analysis with qualitative insight to create strategies grounded in clear problem definition. This approach has enabled me to build strong relationships and expand my technical understanding of emerging and novel technologies, while also identifying and mapping the skills required to address them effectively.

My work includes the management of greenhouse gases and the development of strategic pathways for reduction and removals in sectors including transport, CCUS, energy, and nature-based solutions. I have developed practical approaches to innovation support by developing implementation strategies for climate technologies and nature-based solutions, with a systems-wide perspective.

I have completed a BSc in Geography and an MSc in Global Strategy and Sustainability. I am passionate about applying systems approaches to develop tangible, logical steps to deliver a resilient, adaptation-based future.