About Us

Reach Only Representative Ltd is the leader in independent only representative service for non-EU chemical manufacturers. Utilizing our core strength of experience within the chemicals industry and an eminent advisory board we are well prepared to meet any of our clients requirements.

Management Team

Dr. Richard Stead
Chief Executive Officer
Richard has spent over 30 years in the Chemical industry since graduating with degrees in Chemistry. With Marketing and Management qualifications to compliment his experience in regulatory matters he realised the support that was going to be needed for non-European chemical manufacturers to comply and benefit from REACH, hence the reason for founding Reach Only Representative Ltd. His import and export background will be of substantial advantage in handling the paperwork and information demanded from our clients so as to comply with REACH requirements. As CEO Richard will bring strong guiding principles to all we do at Reach Only Representative Ltd.

John Clarke
Chief Finance Officer
John a Chartered Accountant has over 15 years experience as financial director in industry. John’s earlier FD positions included working in the motor vehicle leasing industry. He then worked in a manufacturing company and led a successful MBO which then went on to make two successful acquisitions one in the UK and one in the USA. As a consequence of this activity John has gained a lot of experience in dealing with finance houses and other associated professional bodies. More recent John has worked in the chemicals industry in an international business and is very familiar with the requirements of the industry.

Gordon Assioun
Chief Operating Officer
Gordon is a graduate from Manchester University with a BSc (Hons) in Chemical Engineering. Started work in Operations with ICI Ltd, and then developed into working in the marketing and operations functions for over twenty years, with an international manufacturer of specialty chemicals. His major activity was ensuring customer satisfaction especially in the Asia.
His expertise in the operational side of import and export of chemicals to / from Europe, has given him a depth of experience on the impact of the REACH legislation on these activities.
As the Chief Operating Officer, he is the ideal person to ensure that Reach Only Representative Ltd has the right infrastructure for delivering excellent service to our client.

Dr. Ben Gandhi
Director - Asia (excluding China)
Ben has a PhD in chemistry and an MBA. For over 11 years he has held senior sales and marketing positions in several multinational chemical companies. His focus has always been on business development in overseas markets, including those in India and Far East. In 2005 Ben established a consultancy to assist chemical manufacturers with business development and out-sourcing of production facilities. This work also evolved into working with overseas chemical manufacturers to providing them with advice on various regulatory compliance issues including assisting them to prepare for REACH.
In 2007 he joined Reach Only Representative Ltd and is responsible for coordinating the provision of services and solutions to non-EU chemical manufacturers, to enable them to meet their obligations of the REACH legislation and continue selling chemicals into Europe using their existing sales routes.

Clive Smith
Account Manager - Americas and S. Africa
Clive has spent over 20 years in purchasing and logistics for speciality chemical manufacturers both in Africa and Europe. He has also been involved in a broking consultancy specialising in the shipping of bulk liquid chemicals, working on behalf of various African and American clients.
More recently his clients required him to get involved in the impact of the REACH legislation on their business and he has become a specialist on providing excellent information and service.

Advisory Board

Dr Peter J Donnelly
Managing Director, APD Scientific Ltd
REACH Legislation
Peter has been involved in chemical legislation since 1970 and has chaired the CEFIC committee dealing with the classification of chemicals for many years and as such took part in the GHS negotiations, which is the parallel set of regulations to REACH, dealing with hazard communication. He was involved from the start in the REACH discussions as part of both the CEFIC and CIA teams and was indeed consulted by DEFRA during the negotiations as part of a rapid response panel set up by DEFRA. He is also on the UK's Advisory Committee on Hazardous Substances.
He was responsible for all routine regulatory requirements in one Akzo Nobel business unit before he set up his own consultancy and for many years has been involved in advising and co-ordinating one CEFIC sector group on regulatory issues.

Christopher Kennedy
Managing Director, D’Orland
Law
Christopher having graduated with a law degree soon became involved in the chemicals industry and now has over 12 years practical experience in dealing with issues in the chemicals industry. Christopher’s experience will be invaluable in ensuring that Reach Only Representative Ltd meets all the legal requirements especially with regards to ensuring compliance with EU Competition Law.

Neal Gandhi
CEO Quickstart Global
IT Systems and Outsourcing
Neal has co-founded several technology businesses in his career. His first company, established when he was 21, went on to become one of the largest computer mail order companies in India. In 1995, he co-founded a leading UK based consultancy business, which grew to 200 fee-earning consultants and was subsequently sold to a listed US based company. In 2000 he co-founded Attenda, a leading European Managed Services Company business growing it to nearly $30m revenues. In 2006 he established Quickstart Global which helps organizations establish captive operations in low cost countries using unique methodology.