It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of Zoe Farrington, a valued colleague and friend, who passed away on Wednesday 16th April.
Zoe joined Chemtech as Commercial Director in 2018 after a successful career in marketing. She positioned Chemtech into a niche corner of the environmental testing market, focussing on fast turnaround analysis. Her astute commercial acumen and direct and honest approach to sales resulted in revenue growth of ~130% during her seven-year tenure. Her marketing expertise also helped the business, with a full rebrand that included the creation of “Ken Tech”, the orange company mascot, beloved by customers and colleagues alike.
Whilst Zoe was employed in a commercial role, her impact was very much felt across the wider business as she worked to create an outstanding work environment for her colleagues, starting with organising leadership training for the management team. Zoe went on to introduce a more robust recruitment process, regular 1-2-1s and the use of psychometric testing, both to assist with talent selection and as a tool for coaching. She was always keen to get involved in any aspect of the business, whether it be securing grants, project managing LIMS development and funding for new equipment, or spending a short period of time managing the Sample Receipt department.
In 2021, John and Karan Campbell sold Chemtech Environmental to Cawood Scientific and alongside Ryan Wetherell, Will Fardon and Helen Oliver, Zoe helped guide the organisation successfully through a period of significant change. In 2024, Zoe was promoted to Commercial Director of the Environment Division, extending her remit to include the Marchwood Scientific businesses. Whilst working in this role, Zoe aligned the commercial processes across the division and upskilled the sales team to cross-sell into other laboratories in group.
Those who worked closely with Zoe will miss her unconditional kindness, brutal honesty, and tenacity. Colleagues would describe her as the kind of person you would want to fight your corner, whilst expecting her to hold you accountable for your actions.
Whilst our thoughts are with Zoe’s family and friends at this time, I’d also like to take this time to thank you all in advance for your continued support of our colleagues at Chemtech, in addition to those whom Zoe worked closely with across the Cawood group. We will share the details of Zoe’s funeral arrangements in due course.
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