David Connell

Design Manager

Bristol, United Kingdom19 yrs 5 mos experience
Highly Stable

Key Highlights

  • 19 years of experience in product development.
  • Expert in transforming insights into successful products.
  • Leader in global product development and manufacturing.
Stackforce AI infers this person is a Product Development Leader with expertise in Industrial Design and Healthcare.

Contact

Skills

Core Skills

Product StrategyLeadershipBusiness DevelopmentProject ManagementIndustrial DesignProduct DevelopmentProduct DesignCustomer Engagement

Other Skills

Key Performance IndicatorsCo-creationOpen InnovationCompetitive AnalysisEmerging TrendsDigital TrendsNew ConceptsEntrepreneurshipTech-SavvyLarge ProjectsBrand AwarenessLarge-scale ProjectsForesightPitching IdeasCreative Work

About

With 19 years of experience in product development, I specialize in transforming insights into commercially successful, game-changing products. My expertise lies in defining and executing product strategies that balance deep user understanding with business objectives, delivering award-winning solutions that make an impact As a passionate and commercially focused product leader, I thrive at the intersection of design, engineering, and business strategy. I excel in fostering high-performing, cross-functional teams, driving innovation, and accelerating time-to-market through agile methodologies and rapid prototyping. My international experience, particularly leading collaboration between UK, US and China based teams, has given me a unique perspective on global product development and manufacturing Core Expertise: - Defining and executing product strategies driven by market and consumer insights - Leading cross-functional teams to drive innovation and collaboration - Managing global partnerships, particularly in the US and Asia - Driving product innovation while balancing cost and profitability - Developing and implementing IP strategies for product protection - Championing agile methodologies to accelerate development cycles Passionate about innovation and leadership, I am always looking to connect with like-minded professionals to push the boundaries of what’s possible in product development. Let’s create something ground-breaking together!

Experience

Elvie

Design Manager

Nov 2020Feb 2026 · 5 yrs 3 mos · City Of Bristol, England, United Kingdom

  • Leading the development of new product categories and technologies in a fast growing start-up on a mission to improve the lives of women.
Key Performance IndicatorsCo-creationOpen InnovationCompetitive AnalysisEmerging TrendsDigital Trends+9

Realise product design

2 roles

Director, Design and Operations

Apr 2018Nov 2020 · 2 yrs 7 mos

  • Navigated and led the business through scaling to a top 10% UK Design agency.
  • Involved in all projects coming through the agency, with particular focus on managing the agencies Fujifilm relationship, along with other key clients and exciting supporting start-up's such as Scootlock, Airhead develop not only the solution for the brief, but also the right brief for their businesses success.
  • Led new business development within all existing accounts, and new account development.
  • Led budgeting and forecasting activities, managing the agencies pipeline and resources from initial approach to delivery.
  • Acting head of People (HR).
Co-creationOpen InnovationCompetitive AnalysisEmerging TrendsPitching IdeasNew Concepts+6

Design Director

Apr 2014Mar 2018 · 3 yrs 11 mos

  • Operating from a combined Operations, business development, project management and technical lead role; providing user-centred product and packaging services to household names alongside savvy start-ups.
  • Oversaw projects and provided technical lead from proposals and budgeting through to final delivery for diverse briefs ranging from medical sterilisation equipment and hospital furniture, through to electrical wiring accessories and remote video systems.
  • Manage project pipeline, ensuring the translation of leads into on schedule deliveries through efficient project scheduling and management as well as tracking and managing labour efficiencies and profitability.
  • Introduce process workflows to streamline the business development and design functions.
  • Produce and track the agencies annual budgets
  • Responsible for the output, development and mentoring of agency staff.
Co-creationOpen InnovationCompetitive AnalysisEmerging TrendsPitching IdeasNew Concepts+6

Avon protection systems

3 roles

Principal Industrial Designer

Promoted

Apr 2013Apr 2014 · 1 yr

  • Global lead Industrial designer for the Avon group, responsible for the global direction of Industrial Design across the businesses product development teams; leading and establishing best practice in heuristics, semiotics, and human centred design; approving new designs for C-suite release.
  • Established and maintained a high-quality portfolio-wide brand DNA across all product lines to build recognition and trust. Implemented through peer review processes, workshops, and a Visual Brand Language to mentor internal design teams and guide external contractors.
  • Continued as project lead on several new concept respirators and platform redesigns, including a $1.6mil matched funding development program with the US Tactical Weapons Support Group (TSWG) and US Marine Corp (USMC) for a next-generation respirator platform codenamed XM55; leading a cross-functional, international design team from concept to pre-production.
  • Technical writer for DoD tenders, and TSWG development bids and proposals, additionally authoring comprehensive of end-of-contract reports for development programmes for government-funded development programs.
  • Worked with the NPD Director and fellow senior engineering stakeholders in the development and launch of a new ISO 9001 auditable, group-wide stage-gated product development and introduction process named Avon GAINS.
  • Selected for the CEO's talent development and mentoring program in 2014
Co-creationNew ConceptsLeadershipLarge ProjectsCustomer EngagementIndustrial Design

Senior Industrial Designer

Sep 2011Apr 2013 · 1 yr 7 mos

  • Responsible for the day-to-day management and creative direction of an engineering, and electronics design team across both the UK and US as technical lead on development program's; delivering respiratory protective devices and associated accessories against customer design briefs and internally funded program's within the industries tight regulatory structure.
  • Delivered a flame hardened dual-mode positive (SCBA) and negative breathing (APR) FM54 respirator system; upgrading the companies FM53 platform under a two-phase, TSWG, NIJ and Avon funded program; promoting new standards to be written around its performance.
  • Developed valve systems and hood for the first NIOSH (42CFR84) approved closed circuit breathing system (EEBD) for mining use under revised regulations.
  • Technical contributor and co-writer on a successfully awarded $6.7m Joint Service Aircrew Mask for Fixed Wing aircraft (JSAM) tender with the US DoD. And on the US Navy closed circuit breathing apparatus (EEBD) bid for development and supply of NIOSH approved CCBA devises, totalling $33mil.
  • Developed the Avon NH15 Combo, providing combined Carbon monoxide, and CBRN protection in a single escape hood.
  • Industrial design specialist, providing ID counsel to global Engineering and Product Management stakeholders.
New ConceptsCustomer EngagementProduct Design

Product Design Engineer

Jun 2008Sep 2011 · 3 yrs 3 mos

  • Grew the UK design offices commercial focus via the implementation of rapid development techniques and processes, internally securing development contracts and grant developments leading to the continued growth of the department.
  • Designed high criticality, tight tolerance products for international military and law enforcement communities through sketch based ideation, development, prototyping, and mass production; building a solid experience of manufacturing and project management.
  • Designed the Avon HMK150 helmet mask interface under a joint venture between Avon Protection, Schuberth Helmets, and the French and German national police forces.
  • Worked on the development of the worlds thinnest regulatory approved CBRN escape hood for presidential and dignitary protection with the US Secret service and CTTSO.
  • Provided technical, engineering, and continuous improvement support for the US M50 General Services General Purpose Respirator (JSGPM), the respirator provided to all US active servicemen. And its commercial variant the C50. Along with the NH15, Avon's 15 minute escape respirator.
  • Created and undertook test and validation plans on concepts against internal quality and external regulatory requirements.
  • Seconded to the groups US design offices in Baltimore and Atlanta in 2011 to lead end-user studies and provide front-end conceptual support to design teams.
New ConceptsProduct Design

The product works

Industrial Designer

Jul 2007Jun 2008 · 11 mos · Bath, England, United Kingdom

  • Bath based consultancy providing product design solutions to medical, commercial, and consumer markets. Responsible for taking briefs through concept creation, sketch and prototype development (In house and outsourced), presentation and detail-design from a client facing position, for projects including:
  • Minimally invasive, disposable and cleanable surgical tooling for Depuy. Specifically arthoplasty (knee replacement) tools for femoral alignment, sizing and resectioning.
  • Ergonomic and brand value driven petrol station nozzles for British Petroleum (BP) to improve user experience at the pump for premium fuels.
  • Cooling system and component mounting for the worlds fastest production viable computer; a flourinert immersion cooled multi-processor supercomputer.
New ConceptsCustomer Engagement

David connell

Industrial Designer

Oct 2006Jun 2008 · 1 yr 8 mos · Greater London, England, United Kingdom

  • Successfully managed and delivered freelance contracts through a private Ltd company, delivering r PUREbreathe, a professional training device used by Team GB at the Beijing Olympics in 2008 to future hair removal solutions for Gillette Venus.
New ConceptsCustomer Engagement

Equilibrium design studio

Product Designer

Aug 2005Jul 2006 · 11 mos · Greater London, England, United Kingdom

  • Textiles design consultancy focused on the travelgoods sector, producing product concepts, visuals, and drawings for manufacture, guiding projects from initial client briefings through first-run manufacture and onto the shelves
  • Operated from a client facing position to provide sketch concept creation, development, prototyping, presentation and subsequent detail design to companies including Selfridges, Audi, and Eminent Luggage
  • Designer of the ‘Sirocco’ brand for Azure Ltd, along with associated branding documents and packaging
  • Undertook non-conceptual briefs such as cost reduction re-designs for Bentley well as market status briefings for Ministry of Sound
New ConceptsCustomer Engagement

Education

Brunel University of London

BSc (Honours) — Product Design

Jan 2003Jan 2007

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