Meet the Team – Dr. Caroline Young

We are delighted to introduce Caroline Young, Technical Sales Lead at The Lab at Brookes Bell. Caroline combines deep scientific expertise with a talent for client-focused problem solving to ensure The Lab offers the very best in inspection and materials-testing services to the global maritime and energy sectors and beyond.

Caroline’s journey began with a joint honours degree in Biology and Chemistry at Nottingham Trent University. She soon gravitated towards the engineering aspects of chemistry and secured funding from Rolls-Royce to pursue a Master’s and subsequently a PhD at Brunel University, specialising in solid oxide fuel cells. “My doctoral research on anodes, cathodes and electrolytes gave me a solid grounding in high-temperature materials and electrochemistry,” she reflects. “It’s been fascinating to see those technologies now finding their way into ship propulsion.”

After her PhD, Caroline joined The Welding Institute (TWI) in Cambridge, working on advanced materials and high-temperature joining techniques such as welding, brazing and diffusion bonding across sectors from oil and gas to medical devices. Her technical acumen did not go unnoticed, and colleagues soon encouraged her to explore business development. “Moving into business development felt like a natural fit,” Caroline says. “I enjoy translating technical concepts into practical solutions for clients.”

In January 2022, Caroline joined Brookes Bell to lead technical sales for The Lab, Brookes Bell’s high-end forensic laboratory. Her remit includes designing bespoke inspection programmes and managing client accounts for a wide range of services. With maritime being renowned for facing a diversified number of risks and challenges, tailoring The Lab’s forensic solutions to each case is critical to ensure the best outcome and, for Caroline, this is where she thrives.

“Every project is different,” she says. “One day I might be on board with a shipowner, discussing their dry-docking plan and survey requirements; the next I’m back with our technical team, discussing non-invasive monitoring on vessels or interpreting failure-mode data to pinpoint exactly what went wrong. That mix of technical problem-solving and customer interaction is one of the best parts of the job.”

Caroline’s scientific background and extensive consultancy experience give her a unique advantage at Brookes Bell. She excels at translating complex technical issues into clear, actionable plans. “I find it hugely satisfying to take a client’s real-world problem and map it against our capabilities,” she notes. “Whether we’re specifying test methods, coordinating a multidisciplinary team or simply explaining results in plain English, I aim to make the process as seamless as possible for everyone involved in the case.”

With more than 20 years of experience in the energy sector, she has sought to excel herself further by picking up extra qualifications in Project Management, Cost Estimation, Intellectual Property Rights, Marketing Strategy for Power and Oil & Gas, and Women in Leadership. She is qualified in Weldability Metallurgy for Engineers, Business Writing, and Management Development, and holds a GMDSS General Operator’s Certificate.

With over three years under her belt at Brookes Bell, her role at The Lab has enabled Caroline to put everything she has learned into practice in an industry that continuously looks for the very best to solve complex issues.

“Joining Brookes Bell has been an exciting step,” Caroline concludes. “I’m proud to work alongside colleagues whose combined expertise spans engineering, science and legal support. Here, I can leverage my background to deliver real value for clients, helping them keep vessels and structures safe, compliant and efficient.”

With Caroline at the helm of technical sales, The Lab is exceptionally well placed to support clients with the tailored, innovative solutions they need for today’s most demanding maritime and industrial challenges.