Nigel began his journey at James Cropper in May 1982 as a laboratory manager and quickly advanced to work on ‘special fibres’ projects, including carbon and other synthetic fibres at the University of Manchester (UMIST). This pioneering work led to the development of a paper machine capable of handling synthetic materials and the establishment of Technical Fibre Products as a legal entity in 1986.
Nigel’s influence has been in the shaping of TFP’s, now James Cropper Advanced Materials, technical landscape. He has been an exceptional leader, developing a relentless curiosity and drive amongst our technical team to innovate and develop many new and useful products to market. Over the years, Nigel has been at the forefront of innovations such as patented fire protection materials, metal-coated carbon fibre veils for defibrillator pads, and carbon substrates for fuel cells and electrolysers.
In 2016, Nigel’s contributions were recognized when he was awarded the prestigious status of Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC), the highest level of membership that honours significant contributions to the field. His expertise is further evidenced by his numerous authored and co-authored papers, which have become key references in the industry.
While his retirement marks the end of an era for James Cropper, his legacy will continue to inspire and guide our future innovations. Nigel exemplifies the pioneering spirit that still drives James Cropper Advanced Materials today and he will be deeply missed by colleagues, customers, and suppliers alike.
Please join us in celebrating Nigel Walker’s remarkable career and wishing him a fulfilling and well-deserved retirement.
