Penman Consulting’s roots lie at the intersection of science, regulation, and innovation, shaped by decades of hands-on experience at the forefront of chemical safety and regulatory change.
Our History
The Story of Penman Consulting
Foundations in Science and Safety
Where rigorous toxicology, data integrity, and a commitment to human health began.
Our story begins in 1976, when Mike and Sue Penman met at the ICI Central Toxicology Laboratory, working in the team which was developing and validating the emerging short tests for carcinogenicity. As Sue left the company to look after an expanding family, Mike moved to the Information Section providing scientific and regulatory information to the whole ICI Group which was then one of the largest global chemical companies.
This early work built a deep appreciation for the need for data to pursue a scientifically rigorous approach and the practical realities of chemical risk assessment, values that remain central to Penman Consulting today. Mike’s time in the Information Section was also marked by the digitisation of information, giving him an active role in its development for safety information.
Bridging Science, Regulation, and Industry
By the late 1980s, regulatory responsibilities increasingly merged with scientific roles.
Still within the ICI Group, Mike had moved to a major manufacturing site on Teeside in the northeast of England working with petrochemical, plastics, nitrogen based and advanced materials businesses serving customers in the polymer, cosmetic, motor, fibre film and aerospace industries.
With the publication of the 1993 EU Existing Substances Regulation, he became deeply involved through the reporting of hundreds of substances to the European Chemicals Bureau and the following discussions on their risk assessment.
Mike built trusted relationships with regulators and industry peers across Europe, also chairing several technical and regulatory working groups. This period marked the convergence of toxicology expertise, regulatory insight, and emerging IT capabilities as well as widespread intercompany and interagency cooperation. This experience laid the groundwork for his later leadership in EU-wide regulatory frameworks.
Mike Penman's MBE
During his time in Teesside, Mike’s work began to have a lasting impact beyond individual organisations. He had a strong interest in how IT could be used to aid chemical assessments. While companies were required to submit reports, there was no consistent, structured format capable of supporting both regulatory review and emerging digital systems.
Drawing on his unique combination of toxicology expertise, regulatory insight, and early technological skills, Mike contributed to the development and computerisation of robust study summaries, based on formats initially developed by German industry. He worked with the UK Department for the Environment on these approaches and their wider adoption. This work supported the transition from paper-based reporting to the foundations of digital chemical information systems, enabling data holders and regulators to handle complex safety data more effectively.
In 1996, Mike received formal recognition for these contributions. Following a letter from 10 Downing Street, he was nominated for an MBE for services to environmental safety. The honour was subsequently reported in the UK papers and the Whitby Gazette and acknowledged in the ICI Chairman’s Report, recognising not only this specific achievement but Mike’s long-standing, high-level service to the chemical and regulatory community.
The award reflected a career already distinguished by leadership, innovation, and influence, qualities that would later underpin the creation and success of Penman Consulting and its role in shaping modern chemical regulation across Europe and beyond.
Global Perspective & The Birth of REACH Expertise
In 1997, Mike joined Exxon, at a time when ICI was restructuring and UK manufacturing was under pressure. Exxon offered a global perspective and long-term strategic outlook. After a year in the United States, Mike and Sue relocated to Belgium, placing them at the heart of European regulatory development.
Within Exxon (and ExxonMobil), Mike led toxicological and regulatory initiatives and later worked in product stewardship, safety data sheets, and the emerging Globally Harmonised System (GHS) of classification and labelling. As REACH began to take shape, Mike became directly involved in its development, contributing to IUCLID working groups for both the European Commission and the OECD.
He chaired multiple expert groups responsible for REACH implementation and guidance and worked on key REACH Implementation Projects (RIPs), notably RIP 3, covering hazard, health, and environmental information. He collaborated closely with the European Chemicals Bureau in Ispra, Italy, and later with the emerging European Chemicals Agency.
Mike also played a pivotal role in exposure assessment innovation, as an initial member of the ECETOC task force that developed the Targeted Risk Assessment (TRA) approach. The first electronic implementation tools were built under his leadership at ExxonMobil, tools that later evolved into systems now embedded within ECHA processes. His work also extended to CONCAWE, reinforcing his influence across the petrochemical sector.
The Founding of Penman Consulting
Recognising the need for independent, expert-led regulatory support, Penman Consulting BV was founded in Brussels in 2007, followed by incorporation of Penman Consulting Limited in 2008. From the outset, the company combined scientific excellence with regulatory strategy and development of IT solutions.
By the end of 2010, Penman Consulting had supported over 700 REACH dossier submissions, rapidly establishing itself as a trusted authority in EU chemicals regulation.
Redefining Consortia & Regulatory Delivery
A defining moment came during the formation of REACH consortia, particularly the LOA REACH Consortium. Penman Consulting led a groundbreaking bid process, not just on toxicology, but on legal structure, liability, tax efficiency, cost control, and governance. Penman Consulting won the contract form a holistic pragmatic approach by clearly articulating how the work would be delivered, not just what would be done.
The model was later replicated for HOPA, where Penman Consulting again designed the legal frameworks, contractual agreements, and service-level structures, winning the contract in 2009. HOPA became the first consortium to submit a full test proposal for UVCBs in a category approach to ECHA, setting a standard for regulatory approaches to the challenges encountered.
Innovation Through Technology & Data
Alongside consultancy and consortium leadership, Penman Consulting invested heavily in building the right tools to do the job properly. This included:
Management systems for consortia management
Managing the Substance Information Exchange Fora - set up to share data for REACH
Systems to give access to Letters of Access for REACH registration
In 2011, Penman Consulting launched Active Steward™ and assumed management of the H4R Consortium, further strengthening its position at the intersection of science, regulation, and digital innovation. Over subsequent years, the company developed category testing strategies, exposure and use surveys, and scalable regulatory platforms that continue to underpin client success.
The King’s Award for Enterprise – 2023
In April 2023, Penman Consulting Limited was honoured to receive The King’s Award for Enterprise in the International Trade category, one of the most prestigious accolades available to UK businesses. The award was formally presented by the Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Oxfordshire, representing His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant.
The King’s Awards for Enterprise recognise outstanding achievement across innovation, international trade, sustainable development, and promoting opportunity through social mobility. Our recognition in International Trade reflected the significant growth and success we have achieved in global markets.
As recipients, we were invited to a Royal Reception and granted the right to fly The King’s Awards flag at our main office. The honour also included a formal Grant of Appointment and a commemorative crystal trophy, a proud milestone in Penman Consulting’s history.
Publicly announced Friday, 21 April 2023
Growth, Recognition, & The Future
2013
Development of category testing strategies
2017
Launch of Exposure & Use Surveys using Active Steward
2020
Penman Consulting and Active Steward awarded ISO 27001
2023
Awarded The King’s Award for Enterprise
Where We Are Today
Today, Penman Consulting is recognised as a leader in regulatory science, consortia management, and digital regulatory solutions. Built on decades of experience and innovation, we continue to help clients navigate complexity with confidence, shaping regulation not just to comply, but to work.