XAMPLA, a creator of natural alternatives to single-use plastic, has appointed Katrina Curl as head of marketing and communications to develop the company’s partnerships as it prepares to launch its first products.
Katrina has more than 10 years’ experience in marketing and branding, including three years working with Unilever where she helped deliver new purpose positioning, brand strategy and product launch campaigns for Surf across Europe, Africa and Asia. Katrina has also worked with Britvic, leading an integrated campaign team to brand and bring to market Robinsons Refresh’d.
She joins Xampla from VCCP, where she led the Canon account across EMEA, delivering brand strategy.
Xampla’s team now boasts more than 20 members after making its first hire in January 2020. The growth follows funding rounds with tech investors Horizons Ventures and Amadeus Capital Partners.
The product of more than 15 years’ research at Cambridge University, Xampla’s plant protein material is said to mimic the molecular structure of spider silk, creating a ‘strong, flexible and entirely natural’ alternative to single-use plastic. It has applications in flexible films, microcapsules and coatings.
The company revealed it is now poised to engage its first customers.
Katrina Curl said, “Xampla’s potential to have a global impact on plastic pollution is what drew me to join the team. Its material is the answer brands have been looking for, and I’m delighted to have the opportunity to develop and lead the strategy that communicates this to our customer-base and beyond.”
Xampla CEO Simon Hombersley added, “There couldn’t be a better time for Katrina to have joined our team. She brings key expertise from her work with Unilever, Britvic and other FMCGs that will be crucial in showcasing what our material can do. We’re all looking forward to seeing the science behind our material come to life through Katrina’s work.”
