Lucideon is thrilled to announce that Dr Robert Crookes, Head of Advanced Materials, has been selected as a finalist for the Employee of the Year Award at the Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce Business Awards 2025, proudly sponsored by Ornua.

This award recognises an individual whose sustained excellence, innovation, and leadership have significantly impacted their organisation and inspired those around them.

Dr Robert Crookes is widely recognised as a visionary in the field of advanced ceramics and materials science. At Lucideon, he leads pioneering work into ceramic matrix composites (CMCs)—materials designed to perform under the most extreme conditions, including those found in aerospace, defence, and nuclear sectors. His innovations are helping reshape the future of these industries.

One of Robert’s most significant contributions has been the development and commercialisation of ultra-high temperature ceramics. His work has not only advanced Lucideon’s capabilities but has directly generated high-value client work, opening new revenue streams and expanding the company’s global reputation.

Robert’s development of a unique 3D printing process for advanced ceramics has revolutionised how Lucideon serves clients. Collaborating with equipment suppliers, he secured and customised experimental technology to meet specific material needs, training his team along the way. This innovation helped attract over £18 million in investment into state-of-the-art facilities and equipment—enabling Lucideon to deliver ground-breaking services that few others in the world can offer.

Beyond his technical brilliance, Robert is a generous mentor and educator. He initiated an internal “Cool Science” briefing series to share knowledge across departments, proactively helping colleagues understand cutting-edge advancements. His mentoring has supported team growth, including enabling seven apprentices to launch careers in commercial science.