Roy Sandbach

Sandbach worked initially for ICI (Imperial Chemical Industries) Mond Division, as a research electrochemist (1978–81). He joined Procter & Gamble in 1981 and had a 31 year R&D management career with the P&G Company (1981-2012), located in Newcastle, Frankfurt, Rome and Brussels. He was recognised in 1994 as P&G Research Fellow, as one of the Company's most senior R&D scientists. His work crossed the boundaries of the major Company business sectors. He has nine patents,[8] one of which is the basis for a $150 million business in the United States.[9]
While at P&G, Sandbach was recognised with visiting Professorships at Central St. Martins (2007) and Cranfield University (2009), both in Innovation Management.
In 2010/11, Sandbach was part of the multi-disciplinary Manchester Developmental Panel, examining routes to strengthen Greater Manchester's economic base through science, innovation and R&D.[10]
Sandbach retired from P&G in 2012.

In 2013, Sandbach became the 10th David Goldman visiting Professor at Newcastle University Business School (NUBS).[11] This endowed appointment is awarded each year to a leading entrepreneur or business leader from within the region, to provide inspiration and motivation to budding entrepreneurs and business leaders. He maintained involvement with NUBS and currently sits on the International Advisory Board at the Business School.[12] He also sits on the Advisory Board at Newcastle Business School at Northumbria University.
During 2013, Sandbach led, in a voluntary capacity, the development of regional innovation strategy for the North East Local Enterprise Partnership (NELEP).[13] This strategy was included in the 2014 North East Strategic Economic Plan. Subsequently, later in 2014, Sandbach was appointed Chair of the NELEP Innovation Board.[14] He stayed in this role until 2017.
Currently, Sandbach chairs the Strategic Advisory Board for Northern Accelerator,[15] a collaboration between four North East universities (Durham, Newcastle,Northumbria, Sunderland). It has the objective to commercialise research and boost the region’s economy. It was funded with £4.9 million from Research England's Connecting Capabilities Fund[16]

From 2015 to 2017, Sandbach was appointed Professor of Practice in Ageing Science & Innovation and first Director of the National Innovation Centre for Ageing at Newcastle University.[17][18] This is a joint £40 million initiative between the UK government & the university. It will deliver new products & services to meet the needs of an ageing demographic across the globe and leverages the outstanding ageing-relevant research base within the UK, and notably at Newcastle University.
Sandbach has remained involved with research and innovation in the ageing domain. He continues as a visiting professor at Newcastle University. In addition, he sits on the Advisory Board for the UK All Party Parliamentary Group for Longevity.[19] He is a Board Member for the Technology Services Association, the trade association for technology applications in the care sector.