Kate Horton

Year of Graduation: 2011

  • Course BSc Forensic Science
  • School School of Biology, Chemistry and Forensic Science
  • Nationality British
  • Career industry Personal Care/Cosmetics
  • Current job title Director of Technical Services
  • Current Company Group55 Ltd / Chorley

Those 3 years really are the best of your life so make the most of it. You will meet people who will change your life forever.

These were the best years of my life, I met some incredible people who are still close friends to this day. Countless nights out in Oceana that we still talk about today. We had an amazing lecturer called Emma Clemson who was super supportive throughout the course. We had an apartment above the science building where they set up a crime scene for us to work; I remember seeing a random fly (which I don’t think was supposed to be in there) and I was determined to catch it. After stalking it for a good 30 minutes I finally caught it - actually got bonus points for that.
Due to the course being very heavily chemistry based, this gave me a good background for doing what I do today. Everything in life is chemistry, even cooking. Because of this I have been able go complete further education is cosmetic science (SCS Diploma). This wouldn’t have been possible if I didn’t already have my degree
I am fully responsibly for the Technical Department which includes quality, research and development, compliance and regulatory and the products we manufacture. I work with all members of the company, from sales to production and everything in between. Due to the type of business we have, I’m also very customer facing, meeting some celebrities and also, travelling the world to meet clients. By trade I am a cosmetic product formulation, mixing potions in the lab however, I don’t get much time to do that these days.
My career highlight has to be winning the Lancashire Business Made In Lancashire Award at the Sub36 Awards in 2020. A huge achievement which I won due to formulation an alcohol based hand gel to support many companies as well as the NHS and MOJ during the pandemic. Next stop a Nobel Prize?
Enjoy every minute of it, work hard and play hard because you only get one chance. You can change your mind through the uni process, I went in thinking I’d become a CSI, I never thought id be in the industry I am. However, I wouldn’t have it any other way.