Nanoco Restructures R&D Leadership and Strengthens Technology Resources for Future Growth
Nanoco Group plc (LSE: NANO), a global leader in the development and manufacture of quantum dots and other nanomaterials, has announced significant changes to its Research and Development (R&D) organization. These updates include key leadership transitions, strategic promotions, and the addition of top-tier talent as the company prepares for its next phase of growth. The announcement coincides with the upcoming retirement of Dr. Nigel Pickett, Nanoco’s founder, Chief Technology Officer (CTO), and board member, effective August 19, 2025.
A Legacy of Innovation: Dr. Nigel Pickett’s Retirement
Dr. Nigel Pickett, who co-founded Nanoco in 2000 alongside Professor Paul O’Brien, will retire after nearly 25 years of dedicated service to the company. Over his tenure, Dr. Pickett transformed Nanoco from a small startup affiliated with the University of Manchester into a globally recognized leader in quantum dot (QD) technology. Under his guidance, Nanoco amassed a robust portfolio of over 350 patents and made groundbreaking contributions to commercial applications of QDs across diverse industries, including display, image sensors, lighting, and photovoltaics.
Over the next six months, Dr. Pickett will focus on long-term technology initiatives before transitioning into an advisory role by February 2026. His visionary leadership and technical expertise have been instrumental in establishing Nanoco as a pioneer in the field of nanomaterials.
Jalal Bagherli, CBE, Chairman of Nanoco’s Board, expressed gratitude for Dr. Pickett’s contributions: “Nigel has been the heart and soul of Nanoco since its inception. His resourcefulness and ingenuity have positioned the company at the forefront of quantum dot innovation. We are deeply grateful for his dedication and wish him all the best in his well-deserved retirement.”
New Leadership to Drive Innovation
To ensure a seamless transition, Nanoco has promoted several experienced leaders within its R&D organization. These appointments reflect the company’s commitment to fostering internal talent while advancing its mission to push the boundaries of quantum dot technology.
Dr. Ombretta Masala, previously serving as Section Head of Nanomaterials, has been appointed as Director of Technology, reporting directly to CEO Dmitry Shashkov. With nearly two decades of experience at Nanoco, Dr. Masala brings deep technical knowledge and a proven track record of driving innovation. Her expanded role underscores her readiness to lead the company’s technological vision.
In recognition of his exceptional technical expertise, Dr. James Harris has been elevated to the position of Head of QD Technologies. Dr. Harris will oversee the continued development of quantum dot technologies, ensuring they remain at the cutting edge of scientific advancement.
Additionally, Dr. Parthiban Ramasamy has been promoted to Lead Scientist, where he will focus on advancing quantum dot applications for image sensors. This promotion highlights Nanoco’s commitment to expanding its capabilities in high-growth areas such as imaging technologies.
Commenting on these promotions, Dmitry Shashkov, Nanoco’s CEO, said: “Under Nigel’s leadership, we’ve cultivated a strong bench of next-generation technology leaders ready to guide Nanoco through its next chapter of growth. Ombretta’s extensive experience makes her the ideal candidate to lead our technology team. Since launching our new strategy in October, we’ve forged several impactful technical collaborations that build on our reputation as a leader in quantum dot innovation. I congratulate Ombretta, James, and Parthiban on their expanded roles and look forward to their continued success.”
Strengthening the Team with Global Talent
To further bolster its R&D capabilities, Nanoco has welcomed three highly qualified professionals to its technology team:
- Dr. Teoman Taskesen, who joins as Device Physicist, brings a wealth of expertise in semiconductors, quantum dots, and photovoltaics. Prior to joining Nanoco, Dr. Taskesen spent five years at Oxford Photovoltaics and has held positions in Turkey, Estonia, and Germany, combining academic rigor with industrial application.
- Dr. Rounak Naphade, appointed as Senior Chemist, comes to Nanoco from the University of Chicago, where he worked under the renowned Prof. Philippe Guyot-Sionnest on quantum dot development for infrared image sensors. His doctoral and post-doctoral research spanned prestigious institutions in Saudi Arabia and India, solidifying his reputation as a rising star in the field.
- Dr. Asim Önal, also joining as Senior Chemist, recently completed his PhD at Koc University in Istanbul, focusing on quantum dots for lighting, display, and biomedical applications. With more than five years of prior research experience in Turkey and Germany, Dr. Önal adds valuable depth to Nanoco’s expertise in advanced materials.
Dr. Ombretta Masala shared her enthusiasm about the new hires: “We are thrilled to welcome Teo, Rounak, and Asim to the Nanoco family. Our growth and reputation hinge on the strength of our team, and all three individuals bring unique skills and international perspectives that align perfectly with our goals. Their contributions will be vital as we continue to innovate and expand our impact.”
Investing in the Future
These organizational changes and investments underscore Nanoco’s commitment to maintaining its leadership position in the rapidly evolving field of quantum dot technology. By restructuring its R&D leadership and attracting world-class talent, the company is poised to accelerate its growth trajectory and deliver transformative solutions to its partners and customers.
As Nanoco enters this exciting new chapter, it remains steadfast in its mission to harness the power of nanomaterials to address real-world challenges. With a renewed focus on collaboration, innovation, and technical excellence, the company is well-positioned to shape the future of quantum dot technology and beyond.
About Nanoco Group plc
Nanoco (LSE: NANO) is a nanomaterial production and licensing group, specialising in the production of its patented cadmium free quantum dots (CFQD® materials) and other patented nanomaterials for use in the electronics industries. Founded in 2001 and headquartered in Runcorn, UK, Nanoco continues to build out a world-class, patent-protected IP portfolio alongside its existing scaled up production facilities for commercial orders.
Nanomaterials are materials with dimensions typically in the range 1 – 100 nm. Nanomaterials have a range of useful properties, including optical and electronic. Quantum dots are a subclass of nanomaterial that have size-dependent optical and electronic properties. Within the sphere of quantum dots, the Group exploits different characteristics of the quantum dots to target different performance criteria that are attractive to specific markets or end-user applications such as the Sensor, Electronics and Display markets. Nanoco’s CFQD® quantum dots are free of cadmium and other toxic heavy metals, and can be tuned to emit light at different wavelengths across the visible and infrared spectrum, rendering them useful for a wide range of display applications. Nanoco’s HEATWAVE® quantum dots can be tuned to absorb light at different wavelengths across the near-infrared spectra, rendering them useful for applications including cameras and image sensors.
