Our Team
We are a diverse group of professionals dedicated to delivering the best solutions for our clients.
Our Story
Artemis Analytical was founded in 2016 by Professor Kieran Flanagan to develop a breakthrough scientific instrument with unmatched sensitivity and selectivity.
By combining mass spectrometry with collinear resonance ionisation spectroscopy, we created a system capable of detecting difficult isotopes such as strontium-90 and carbon-14—well beyond the limits of conventional technology.
In 2019, Chris Yates and Giles Edwards joined the company, and Artemis earned a competitive place on the CERN Business Incubation Centre programme, helping accelerate our development and impact.
We've since expanded our mission. In 2020, we launched The Water Professor to provide accessible water testing services to the public, followed by Artemis Labs, a specialist contract laboratory offering advanced analytical services. Today, Artemis is united by a single goal: to deliver cutting-edge science that meets real-world analytical challenges.
Our Brands
Artemis Labs
Artemis Labs is a specialist provider of high-quality analytical services, offering expertise in trace metal and small molecule analysis using advanced techniques such as ICP-MS and LC-MS. Serving clients across the environmental, industrial, and water sectors, the company delivers accurate, laboratory-based testing for a wide range of applications — from monitoring water quality and identifying contaminants to supporting process optimisation and regulatory compliance.
A spin-out from the University of Manchester and part of the Artemis Analytical Group — which also includes the consumer-facing brand The Water Professor — Artemis Labs combines scientific excellence with a practical, client-focused approach. Its experienced team operates from state-of-the-art facilities and brings decades of technical know-how to every project. Services are tailored to meet the unique requirements of each client, with clear, actionable results that support confident decision-making.
What sets Artemis Labs apart is its dedication to customer care and scientific integrity. As a small, expert-led company, clients benefit from direct access to knowledgeable scientists and a responsive, personal service. With a reputation for accuracy, transparency, and reliability, Artemis Labs has become a trusted partner to consultants, businesses, and research teams across the UK.
The Water Professor
At The Water Professor, we believe everyone should have access to accurate, independent information about their drinking water. As one of the UK’s leading water testing services, our mission is to make professional laboratory analysis simple, accessible, and affordable for all. Whether you're a homeowner concerned about old lead pipes, a business monitoring compliance, or simply curious about what’s in your tap water, we’re here to help.
Our convenient postal testing kits are designed to be mailbox-friendly, so you can collect and return samples with ease. Every sample is analysed in a professional laboratory, and we provide detailed, easy-to-understand reports highlighting any potential contaminants — including metals, bacteria, and other substances of concern.
What sets us apart is our commitment to customer care and scientific integrity. Our team is always on hand to answer questions and guide you through your results. With meticulous attention to detail and a passion for clean water, The Water Professor is proud to be a trusted source of information and reassurance for households and businesses across the UK.
Our Certification
At Artemis Analytical, our ISO 9001 certification is the cornerstone of our operational philosophy and a clear signal of our profound commitment to quality. This internationally recognized standard is not just a certificate on our wall; it underpins our entire quality management system, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, meticulous process control, and risk-based thinking in everything we do. For our customers, this dedication means complete confidence and peace of mind.
It's our guarantee that you will receive consistently accurate, reliable, and repeatable analytical results, delivered through a service that is both responsive and transparent. Partnering with us means trusting in a laboratory where data integrity and customer satisfaction are the fundamental principles that guide our work, ensuring we are a dependable partner in your success.
"For us, ISO 9001 isn't about meeting a requirement; it's about embedding a promise of excellence into our DNA. This framework ensures that our commitment to quality is present in every single analysis, guaranteeing that the data our clients rely on is not just accurate, but fundamentally trustworthy."
Our Team
We are a diverse group of professionals dedicated to delivering the best solutions for our clients.
Prof Kieran Flanagan
Kieran is a Professor of Nuclear Physics at the University of Manchester and co-founder of Artemis Analytical. He is an experienced experimental physicist and an international leader in the field of laser spectroscopy and nuclear structure. Over the last 25 years, he has worked at nuclear facilities in Finland, France and Switzerland.
He has pioneered new techniques in trace analysis to study and detect radioactive isotopes. He was awarded the 2022 IOP Rutherford Medal for his work in nuclear physics. As CEO of Artemis Analytical, he provides scientific leadership and expertise while building and training expert teams.
Dr Giles Edwards
Giles is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry with over 25 years of expertise in analytical and physical chemistry. His research focused on developing laser post-ionisation mass spectrometry instrumentation. His career integrates academia and industry, encompassing management of multidisciplinary research centres and service as a global escalation engineer. He currently develops novel technology for the nuclear and cosmogenic dating industries at Artemis Analytical Ltd., leveraging chemistry and engineering skill sets.
In 2005, he founded the Recycling Organisation for Research Opportunities, a charity that donates, installs, and provides training for advanced systems to universities in developing nations.
Dr Chris Yates
Chris is an experienced finance and operations leader with a 25-year career in global investment banking. He has led large international teams across valuation, risk, and product control, with a strong track record of delivering strategic change and maintaining operational discipline.
Chris holds a PhD in molecular microbiology and a master’s in biochemical engineering, combining scientific insight with deep financial expertise. As CFO and co-founder of Artemis Analytical, he is responsible not only for finance, but also for technology, marketing, and people. His broad skill set and leadership experience provide the operational backbone for the company as it moves from technical innovation to commercial execution and growth.
Mr Sam Smithies
Sam’s career has been driven by a passion for problem solving and applying scientific research in commercial settings. After earning a Physics degree from the University of Manchester, where he was active in the nuclear physics department, he joined Artemis Analytical full-time, building expertise in analytical chemistry.
Today, as Laboratory and Business Development Manager, he oversees day-to-day operations while expanding the company’s capabilities to deliver bespoke solutions for clients. He recently led Artemis to ISO 9001 certification, reflecting his blend of scientific rigor and commercial vision. Outside of work, he enjoys reading, travelling, and playing in brass bands.