Leadership
The executives and directors guiding Alexium's growth across thermal management, fire safety, and humidity control.
Operating leadership.
William "Billy" Blackburn
Billy Blackburn joined Alexium with 25 years' experience and a successful record of product commercialization and driving profitable revenue growth. He is a graduate of the University of South Carolina business school. He specializes in driving growth in businesses with technical offerings. He has led the startup, growth and sale of a specialty chemical business focused on sustainability and high-purity chemistry. He has led companies through successful turnarounds via positive culture changes that shifted organizational focus to customers and world class service.
Nicholas "Nick" Leitner
Nick leads Alexium's research and development efforts and helps guide the technical direction behind our growing portfolio of performance chemistry solutions. He plays a critical role in turning market needs into practical innovation — from phase change material technologies for thermal regulation to flame-retardant chemistries and custom application development — ensuring Alexium's solutions are designed not only to perform in the lab, but to deliver value in real-world products. As head of R&D, Nick is an integral connector between Alexium's commercial and technical teams, supporting customer projects, evaluating new opportunities, and developing solutions tailored to specific substrates, end uses, and performance goals. His leadership reflects what makes Alexium different: a deep technical foundation paired with a collaborative, application-driven approach to product development.
Heather McClain
Heather brings 29 years of manufacturing accounting experience across a diverse set of industries — including oil & gas, automotive, signage, and now specialty chemicals — along with two decades of international business experience. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of South Carolina. At Alexium, Heather leads the finance function with a focus on profitability analysis, strategy, and reporting, and on eliminating unnecessary complication by simplifying processes, policies, and reports. She is known for delivering concise, accurate reporting that drives informed business decisions, for nurturing strong relationships inside and outside the organization, and for developing a driven and successful team that supports Alexium's continued growth.
Randall Lane
Randall Lane has had an exceptional career in research, manufacturing, start-ups and product commercialization including 25 years of senior management positions in the chemical and medical device industries. Specifically, he has served as CEO/CSO at CAVU group, comprised of Microtek, American Thermal Instruments and Latent Heat Solutions. Mr. Lane has also served on several Boards in the private sector.
Board of Directors.
Simon Moore
Simon Moore, a Senior Partner of Colinton Capital Partners, has been appointed as non-executive director. Mr. Moore has over 20 years of experience in senior private equity roles including previously acting as Managing Director and Global Partner of the Carlyle Group. He currently serves on several boards, including in the role of NED at Dimeo Cleaning Services and NED at AMS Group.
Dr Paul Stenson
Dr. Paul Stenson BSc (Science), PhD (Chemistry) has had a distinguished career with the research, development, manufacture, and commercialization of new materials. Dr. Stenson is currently President and CEO of StanChem Inc., comprising of two companies – StanChem Polymers, and Albi Protective Coatings. Dr. Stenson has over 20 years of experience in senior management positions in the polymer and chemicals industry. Dr. Stenson is also the chairman of TopChem Pharmaceuticals (Ireland) which is a manufacturer of active pharmaceutical ingredients.
Martyn Strickland
Martyn Strickland is an Operating Partner with Colinton Capital Partners. Martyn joined the firm in June 2017 and represents Colinton Capital Partners on AMSG, Dimeo, Alexium and Clear Dynamics investments. Prior to joining Colinton Capital Partners, Martyn was a Senior Partner at Deloitte, where he led their middle-market strategy and the Operational Restructuring and CRO services divisions within the Financial Advisory business. In his time as Managing Director with 333 Consulting, he provided leadership, as Principal with A.T. Kearney and as Operating Executive with Cadbury Schweppes. Martyn has an MBA from the Melbourne Business School and a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Melbourne.
James Williamson
James Williamson has over 28 years of experience in financial markets and is the Co-Founder and Chief Investment Officer of Wentworth Williamson Management, a substantial shareholder of Alexium International Group Limited. Founded in 2013, Wentworth Williamson Management is a private Australian-based value fund manager with both equity and private credit funds. Prior to Wentworth Williamson, Mr Williamson worked for Allan Gray Australia and prior to that he was Portfolio Manager of the Investec Australian Equity Fund. James has a Bachelor of Commerce, a Graduate Diploma of the Securities Institute of Australia and is a Senior Associate of FINSIA.
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