Speakers

Dr David Lloyd is Senior R&D Manager of Huel, a UK based food company that makes a variety of nutritionally complete, plant-based meal products. 

As Huel has expanded rapidly in employees, sales revenue and scientific capability over its 8-year lifespan, David has played a key role on that journey over the last 4.5 years. He is now co-ordinating Huel’s longer-term R&D strategy to drive further growth and help Huel move up another gear. Key interests include process optimisation, solving formulation challenges and exploring emerging ingredient technologies. 

Both a passionate scientist and engineer, David whilst still in the relatively early stages of his career has had a somewhat varied experience across industry and academia. 

Graduating from Loughborough university with a degree in Chemical Engineering, David’s passion for food and willingness to learn took him in a different direction. After studying an Engineering Doctorate in Formulation Engineering at the University of Birmingham, David worked 5 years for FMCG giants Unilever carrying out R&D innovation projects on ice cream & Ready-to-drink Iced Tea. Looking for a new challenge brought him into the early stages of the rapidly growing Huel business looking after their Ready-to-drink category before a switch to his current role. 

David is currently a member of the Institute of Food Science & Technology (IFST) and previously was involved in the Institute of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) promoting food and drink careers to future cohorts of engineering students. 

A common theme throughout David’s career is the ability to adapt and thrive in different environments. Industry or academia, small or large business, he has won multiple accolades for presentations, business delivery and was awarded Food & Drink Scientist of the Year 2022 by the Food & Drink Federation.