Brian Hicks

Specialist in areas that include air-conditioning, boilers, refrigeration, solar energy, heat pumps, fuel cells, CHP, frequency converters, smart metering, energy services, chemicals, crop protection and agriculture.

Responsible for market research activities in Germany for the UK-based building technology company, BSRIA Ltd, Bracknell (www.bsria.co.uk), through its office in Düsseldorf. This covers areas such as air-conditioning, boilers, refrigeration, solar energy, heat pumps, fuel cells, CHP, frequency converters, smart metering and energy services. Also responsible for promoting the consultancy services and reports of BSRIA Ltd to organisations in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

Responsible for increasing the profile of this international charity with local, regional and national press and media, as well as with potential donors. Also helped with the organisation of events to raise money for the charity.

Management of international market research in crop protection, seeds, fertilisers, scientific equipment and biotechnology, with a focus on Europe. Editor and owner of the international business newsletter, Crop Protection Monthly. Regular contributor to many international journals in the sectors above.

Managing European qualitative and quantitative market research projects in the crop protection, fertiliser, seeds and biotechnolgy sectors.

Responsible for sales, marketing and market research for Velsicol's crop protection products in France, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece and the Benelux. Velsicol Chemical Ltd was the European subsidiary of Velsicol Corporation, Chicago. Left the company after the main interests of Velsicol Corporation were acquired by the Swiss company, Sandoz Ltd, Basel.

Plant biochemistry, genetics, clinical biochemistry, immunology. Research project on cuticle development in cockroaches. Won award from the Austrian Institute in London to study German at Salzburg University in the summer vacation of 1974