People

Dr. Helena Ganczakowski has 23 years of experience at Unilever and a further nine as a strategic consultant for other global businesses, and as a Non-Executive Director for Croda, Greggs and People Against Dirty (a sustainable household cleaning business). She brings marketing and management skills to Croda Foundation, as well as challenge and support in strategy development. She also has on the ground experience from the early part of her career working on community and sustainability/conservation projects in Latin America and Africa. Helena has a PhD in engineering from the University of Cambridge. 

Stuart Arnott was appointed as a Croda Foundation Trustee in May 2021. With a technical background graduating as a Chemical Engineer, Stuart gained extensive operational experience in his 33 years at Croda having joined as a graduate trainee and going on to serve 10 years as an Executive Committee member. He has wide-ranging managerial expertise and leadership skills gained from being a UK Site Director, then leading European manufacturing teams, President of Global Operations and finally as President of Sustainability prior to his retirement. 

Anthony Fitzpatrick is President of Corporate Development for Croda International, having previously been Regional President for Latin America and President of Performance Technologies & Industrial Chemicals. With more than 23 years in global investment banking in New York and London, primarily focusing on the chemicals industry following a degree in Chemistry, Anthony previously worked at Goldman Sachs and UBS, where he was Global Head of Chemicals. Anthony was appointed as a Trustee for Croda Foundation in December 2020. 

Veronica Santana de Freitas Blanco has been a Lead Application Scientist for Croda Pharma since 2019. She has successfully managed and executed multiple research and innovation projects in collaboration with cross-functional teams. With a background in industrial pharmacy, Veronica also has a PhD in Dentistry in the area of Pharmacology, Anesthesiology and Therapeutics. She has collaborated with renowned researchers from international institutions and has published several peer-reviewed articles in prestigious scientific journals.

Rommel joined Croda Foundation in April 2021 as Executive Director.  His professional experience is in business development, service design and change management.  As an acknowledged expert in corporate, government and charity partnerships, Rommel spent 20 years negotiating and delivering complex mutually beneficial partnerships.  During his career he has worked for organisations such as Cancer Research UK, Save the Children, Drinkaware and Thomson Reuters Foundation.  Rommel is also an independent non-executive director with the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

Nazia has over 15 years of experience in the voluntary sector and 10 years of experience in grant-making and philanthropy. She has worked for a family-run foundation and a children’s foundation assessing and monitoring grants as well as safeguarding the integrity of the grant making process. Nazia has a PGCertificate in grant making, philanthropy and social investment.

Jenny Berriman is seconded to Croda Foundation as the Finance Manager. Jenny has been working in finance for Croda for 8 years, currently working as a Senior Treasury Analyst for Croda International.

Ben Smitton has a wide range of experience in grant-making, having previously worked in local government for Richmond upon Thames Council and delivering the Tesco Bags of Help scheme. He is also a geography graduate from the University of Birmingham. 

Hattie Holt is seconded to Croda Foundation as Communications Manager. She said: “As a cancer survivor, I have witnessed the difference that charities make first hand, which is why I am thrilled to be the Communications Manager for Croda Foundation. The Foundation is truly changing lives, and there are so many stories of success to be shared.” 
Hattie joined Croda as content writer and editor in 2021, following almost a decade working in newsrooms across the UK. Hattie graduated from Loughborough University in 2012,and is an NCTJ qualified journalist.

Joe Smith is seconded to Croda Foundation as finance assistant. He assists in month end accounts and general accounting queries for the Foundation and is currently studying his AAT level 4, and looking to move on to CIMA upon completion. Joe enjoys playing football and spending time with his family in his spare time.

Hana Graybill is seconded to Croda Foundation as the Digital Associate. She oversees all digital platforms, including the website and social media accounts. Hana joined Croda in 2021 as part of the graduate scheme, completing placements in Community Engagement, Beauty Care Sustainability, and Regional Sustainability. Currently, she is a Marketing Associate with the North American Consumer Care team. Her background is in communication and corporate social responsibility.

Georgina Howard-Weston is seconded to Croda Foundation as the Digital Associate. Georgina joined Croda in 2022 as a Marketing Associate with the EMEA Pharma team. Following academic studies in sports and clinical physiology, Georgina worked as a cardiac scientist in the NHS. Georgina also competes as an elite level distance runner over distances from 5 km to marathon, racing nationally and internationally.