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Mark ChampkinsMark is a designer, entrepreneur and inventor who's ability to generate innovative and thought-provoking ideas have seen his products catch the public imagination. Mark studied Manufacturing Engineering at Churchill College, Cambridge and Product Design at the Royal College of Art (RCA). Whilst at the RCA he won British Inventor of the Year, for designing "Self-Heating Crockery"…Self-heating plates and bowls that heat up to sixty degrees at the touch of a button. The crockery will keep warm for 30 minutes, and can be recharged and reused over and over by simply being washed in hot water or cleaned in a dishwasher. The crockery featured on Tomorrow’s World. On graduating, Mark worked at the RCA's research dept on a 12 month project to investigate how good design could improve standards of education in the UK. During his research, he spotted an opportunity to collaborate with teachers and pupils create products that help enhance concentration in lessons. In 2004, Mark successfully pitched his business ‘Concentrate’ which designs products to help pupils concentrate whilst in lessons, on BBC Dragons Den, winning investment from Peter Jones. The products launched in John Lewis in 2006 and now sell to retailers across the UK and Europe. |
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In October 2011 he published The Big Book of Celebrity Inventions with Harper Collins. The book uncovers the unlikely inventions of public figures and celebrities from around the world, including Marlon Brando's Bongo Drum Tuner, Jamie Lee-Curtis' Nappy and that Margaret Thatcher was responsible for developing soft scoop ice cream! He has also contributed to a number of books including Dragons Den: Success, From Pitch for Profit, and Design Revolution: 100 Products That Empower People. In 2011, Mark was appointed the very first Inventor in Residence at the Science Museum, being spokesperson for science, engineering and invention. Within his role, he designs products inspired by the Museum’s collection, including Levitating Cutlery, a Magnetic Chopping Board that doubles as a knife rack and the iGramo, a restyled gramophone horn designed to amplify the small speakers in a mobile phone. Mark is a fellow of the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufacturers and Commerce and an industry advisor to Cambridge University's Engineering Department, providing input on course structure and content for the undergraduate tripos. Mark is a popular contributor to television and radio on the subjects of innovation, enterprise and invention. His credits include: The Today Programme (BBC Radio 4), Blue Peter, Newsround, Tomorrow’s World, BBC News 24, What's the Big Idea (Discovery), Dragons Den, Dragons Den Follow Up, Dragons Den - Peter Jones Most Memorable Investments, Dragons Den - How to Win in the Den (BBC2), The Chris Evans Breakfast Show and Simon Mayo Drivetime (BBC Radio 2), Wired and Monocle.
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Mark is represented by Sue Rider Management |