About Us

Discover who we are, what we do and learn about our rich history in chemistry outreach, which spans over 100 years.

The Salters’ Institute has an international reach.

The Salters’ Institute is the flagship charity of the Salters’ Company. Chemistry has been our passion since we were founded in 1918. Since then, we have continued to promote excellence in the teaching and learning of chemistry and related sciences. We connect learners and educators to opportunities that transform their perception of chemistry, what it can do, how it shapes our lives and the career pathways it offers. Chemistry opens doors.

Through our digital and in-person outreach, we provide creative, fun and inspiring spaces to explore chemistry, discover its potential as a subject, and recognise those who are using chemistry to make the world a better place.

 

Our Education Strategy

Our mission is to bring together students, educators, researchers and industry in the UK to improve access to high-quality chemistry education and understanding of the role of industrial chemistry.

This mission underpins our new 5 year strategy which was was developed in 2025.

Read our Education Strategy here.

Our History

Our History

Learn about how the Salters' Institute has led on innovation within science education.

Our History

Our strategy focusses on four areas of work:

  1. Outreach to inspire young people in chemistry and raise awareness of careers available in the chemical industry
  2. Awards and Alumni to celebrate and recognise the achievements of people studying or working in chemistry and the related sciences
  3. Curriculum to promote excellence in the teaching and learning of chemistry
  4. Partnership to foster new and existing partnerships with industrial and academic partners to further our aim of promoting chemistry

The Salters’ Institute is an independent registered charity and governed by a Board, which is Chaired by Dame Mary Archer DBE. The Institute is led by the Head of Education:

Dame Mary Archer – Chair

Mr Ian Karet

Dr Harsh Pershad

Mrs Alison Margary-Wade

Dr Jo Foster

Mr John Franklin

Mrs Dawn Wright

Mr James Handscombe OBE

Mr Andrew McMurtrie – Master, Worshipful Company of Salters

Lord Anthony Rockley –  Upper Warden, Worshipful Company of Salters

Mr John Stebbing – Second Warden, Worshipful Company of Salters

Mr Matthew Previte –  Renter, Worshipful Company of Salters

Mr Tim Smith – Clerk, Worshipful Company of Salters

Dr Liam Thomas – Head of Education, Worshipful Company of Salters and Salters’ Institute

Meet the Education Team

Meet the Education Team

Head of Education

Liam Thomas

Meet the Education Team

Head of Education

Liam Thomas

Coming soon!

Meet the Education Team

Outreach Coordinator & Discovery Day Lead

Janine Symonds

Meet the Education Team

Outreach Coordinator & Discovery Day Lead

Janine Symonds

Janine joined the Salter’s Institute in 2023 as the Outreach Officer and now works as the Outreach Coordinator and Discovery Day Lead. As such she coordinates a lot of the background work that goes into organising the Festivals of Chemistry as well as being the on-the-day lead at our Discovery Days; the in-person portion of the programme.

She is also the resident Biologist/Mathematician, having completed a PhD in Mathematical Biology at UCL before joining the Institute. She has extensive experience of STEM outreach initiatives and is passionate about exciting the next generation about the wonders and joy of science.

If you were an element from the periodic table, which one would you be and why?

Fe – Iron: I am happy working behind the scenes, steadily getting things done. This is similar to iron which is found working in the background, whether it be buried inside concrete to reinforce its strength or silently carrying oxygen around the body as part of haemoglobin.

Meet the Education Team

Programmes Manager

Holly Smith

Meet the Education Team

Programmes Manager

Holly Smith

Coming soon!

Meet the Education Team

Outreach Officer

Jessica Jones

Meet the Education Team

Outreach Officer

Jessica Jones

Coming soon!

Meet the Education Team

Outreach Officer

Daisy McConnell

Meet the Education Team

Outreach Officer

Daisy McConnell

Coming soon!

Meet the Education Team

To contact the team, email us at:

[email protected]

Meet the Education Team

To contact the team, email us at:

Explore our outreach programmes

Our sustainable talent pipeline encourages engagement with chemistry from a young age through to adulthood.

Explore our outreach programmes

Chemistry Club

Chemistry Club is an innovative online learning platform for 11-14 year olds which sparks and nurtures an interest in chemistry through independent learning.

Explore our outreach programmes

Festivals of Chemistry

The Salters’ Institute’s Festivals of Chemistry are aimed at 14-16 year olds. Our Festivals encourage learners to ‘Discover Chemistry’, explore the subject and see how it can be a pathway to many careers.

Explore our outreach programmes

Awards Programme

Our awards programme recognises and celebrates excellence within chemistry and related sciences.

The Salters’ Institute is a registered charity in England and Wales (Charity Number: 328463).