Who we are
Mike Penman
The founder, Mike Penman, has over 30 years' experience in managing toxicology, regulatory affairs and information technology within major companies (ICI 1976 – 1997; ExxonMobil 1997 – 2007) and associated trade associations. Initially laboratory based working on alternatives to long-term cancer testing, he moved to provide toxicological and regulatory information services to the whole ICI Group, and then as Senior Toxicology and Product Regulatory Adviser to specific businesses. During this time he was awarded an MBE for “Services to Environmental Safety”. For nearly 10 years Mike worked for ExxonMobil, initially as Senior Toxicology Adviser for Europe, and subsequently as the Technical REACH / GHS Implementation Manager.
Externally Mike is well known, leading science and regulatory teams in the areas of synthetic rubber, olefins, plasticisers and oil refining streams.He has been involved in the development of regulatory databases such as IUCLID and in developing novel techniques for the risk assessment of chemicals and in regulatory developments. For example, in addition to trade association work on REACH, he chaired the consortia management group contracted to the EU to provide a scoping study on information requirements (RIP 3.3-1) and was a member of the Programme Management Group for the subsequent final report.
He has a passion for developing science-led practical solutions to problems – as demonstrated by the range of research activities he initiated when working within trade groups and also the coordination of an EU FP6 project designed to examine the possibility of using novel molecular biology techniques to understand mechanisms of reproductive toxicity, so that they might subsequently be used instead of animal testing.
Sue Penman
As a Director, Sue Penman is involved in all areas of the Company’s administration and general financial management. Her early career was in science and after having three children she found the flexibility of part-time administration fitted in better with her family commitments. When the family moved to Belgium, she gained the CELTA certificate and for some years taught English as a second language. She is kept very busy behind the scenes, ensuring that everything runs as smoothly as possible.
Graham Robb
A Physics graduate from Magdalen College, Oxford in 1974, after starting with the CEGB, in 1977 Graham joined Digital Applications International, the well known London-based IT services company delivering process control and manufacturing solutions.
In 32 years at DAI, Graham had various roles:
Development of software systems for process control of chemical plants; Management of industrial application IT projects – chemicals, pharmaceuticals and logistics; Overall Management of the London office of DAI; IT and Project Management Sales and Consulting.
Graham now brings these years of scientific IT project and management experience to Penman Consulting.