Entrepreneurial Physics Master class with Jan Ramakers, Director Jan Ramakers Fine Chemical Consulting Group - A journey from science to industry to business consulting

Jan will provide an overview of his journey from University to where he is now, highlighting events that led to important career changing choices and ultimately Jan's decision to set up his own company 20 years ago. Jan will also touch on what it takes to set up and maintain a business - the good reasons for setting up on your own and also the not so positive! Jan will also explain why running your own business is great and very rewarding, but also why it is more challenging than being employed.

Jan's Biography

After starting his career as a chemist at DSM’s Corporate Research in The Netherlands, Jan held several marketing, business development, business intelligence and strategy positions in DSM’s commodity business as well as in DSM Fine Chemicals.

During 1996-1999 he set up and ran a consultancy practice in the fine chemicals area for Wood Mackenzie Consultants (then part of Deutsche Bank) in Edinburgh, Scotland.

In 1999 he created Jan Ramakers Fine Chemical Consulting Group based in East Linton, Scotland, focusing on the analysis of all aspects of the global fine chemicals and life sciences business.

As its main activity the company provides confidential tailor-made single client consultancy services for companies with specific analysis requirements. Tailor-made consultancy projects undertaken include market, product, technology, or industry analysis; company strategy analysis; assistance in merger & acquisition projects / due diligence.

All together, Jan has had some 39 years’ involvement with industry, of which 5 years in R&D, 11 years in business research, business & strategy development, and 23 years as a business consultant.

Jan Ramakers on a journey from science to industry to business consulting