Kevin Powell: the "innovative scientist" on a mission to create delightful consumer experiences.

Kevin spent five years in the aeronautical and defence industry at the nexus of machine learning, image processing and analysis and ceramics engineering before realising that his mission in life was to create delightful consumer experiences.

In the mid 1990s, Kevin joined Gillette as an ‘Innovative Scientist’ and found great reward by applying his love of science to challenges associated with cutting human beard hair with atomically sharp razor blades, whilst leaving the skin undamaged.

Following an expatriate assignment in Boston, Mass., Kevin began a series of increasingly senior management roles culminating with the position of Laboratory Director for Gillette’s global upstream R&D laboratory based in Reading, U.K.. Kevin led the teams that created multi-billion dollar shaving systems including Gillette Guard, Fusion and Venus.

Following the $57bn acquisition of Gillette by P&G, Kevin and his wife Ruth moved with their family to Cincinnati, Ohio where he led global R&D for Head & Shoulders, Pantene and Herbal Essences.

A desire to broaden his responsibilities led Kevin to join Mondelez International in East Hanover NJ, where he had global R&D responsibility for Gum, Candy and Biscuits with 800 colleagues in Tech Centres across the world.

In his time at Mondelez, Kevin led consumer-centric new product launches and quality improvements across brands including Oreo, Ritz, belVita, Trident, Sour Patch Kids and Lu.

After 12 years of expatriate life in the US, Kevin and Ruth returned to the UK to live near Cambridge. Kevin is enjoying a life of semi-retirement where he is focussed on giving back, guided by his purpose of helping improve the lives of others. He is an advisor to the Carbon 13 accelerator and coaches companies in the realms of consumer-centric innovation, innovation strategy and sustainability. Kevin is also realising a decades-old promise to himself of becoming a Reader in the Church of England.

I’m confident that you’ll find his story and his insights about consumer focus gleaned at the cutting edge (literally) of another global industry fascinating. I’ve had the privilege to call Kevin a friend for over 20 years and I’m delighted to introduce you to him in this episode. I look forward to hearing what resonates with you.

Reach out to Kevin:

LinkedIn: Kevin Powell

Thank you to our sponsors:

ASKE Consulting

Email: [email protected]

Aquilae

Email: [email protected]

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Episode recorded on 18 April, 2023

CAREER-VIEW MIRROR - biographies of colleagues in the automotive and mobility industries.

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