344: How to get ahead at a company like Huel

What is it like to work for one of the most well-known and growing brands in the food industry? That's exactly the position Dr David Lloyd, Senior Research and Development Manager at Huel, finds himself in. In this episode of the Career Conversations podcast series, the first to be recorded in front of a live studio audience as part of our Inspiring Careers in Food Series of events, he reveals all about his journey to the top. Dr Lloyd's role as Huel is heavily science based and includes a lot of project management. He has a degree in Chemical Engineering, which he got at Loughborough University, and he has a PhD in Formulation Engineering from the University of Birmingham. Before joining Huel, he was chief scientist at the huge multinational Unilever. Listen to the full episode to find out how Dr Lloyd found the move from Unilever to Huel, how much you can expect to earn if you follow a career path like his, and enjoy some questions from our audience of students who attended the event. Dr David Lloyd, Senior R&D Manager, Huel Dr David Lloyd is Senior R&D Manager of Huel, a food company that makes a variety of nutritionally complete, plant-based meal products. As Huel has expanded in employees, sales revenue and scientific capability, David has played an important role on that journey over the last 3 years. He is now co-ordinating Huel’s longer-term R&D strategy to drive further growth and help Huel move up another gear. A passionate scientist and engineer (depending on the task at hand), David whilst still in the relatively early stages of his career has had a somewhat varied experience across industry and academia. Graduating from Loughborough with a degree in Chemical Engineering, it is slightly unconventional David wasn’t swallowed into the world of Petrochemicals and Pharmaceuticals with most of his peers but his passion for food led him in a different direction. After studying an Engineering Doctorate in Formulation Engineering under well renown food scientist Prof. Ian Norton, David worked 5 years for FMCG giants Unilever carrying out R&D innovation projects on ice cream & Ready-to-drink Iced Tea. Looking for a new challenge brought him into the early stages of the rapidly growing Huel business looking after their Ready-to-drink category before a switch to his current role. A common theme throughout David’s career is the ability to adapt and thrive in different environments. Industry or academia, small or large business, he has won multiple accolades for presentations, business delivery and most recently been nominated for Food & Drink Scientist of the Year 2022.