Astoriom has announced the appointment of Ryan Smith as global head of sales to support its expanding biorepository and sample stability storage operations.

The UK-headquartered company, which specialises in sample storage, disaster recovery, and validation services, said the appointment marks a critical step in its commercial strategy as it scales its services across North America and Europe. With increasing demand from the biopharmaceutical, biotech and academic sectors, the company is aiming to strengthen its global reach and ability to support complex regulatory environments.

Smith brings more than 20 years of commercial experience to the role. He has worked across outsourced biorepository services, automated sample storage, and cryogenic equipment. Before joining Astoriom, he led the global sales team at Azenta Life Sciences. He also held senior roles at Agilent, Keysight Technologies, and RHK Technologies, with a focus on nanotechnology.

According to Astoriom, Smith’s deep knowledge of specimen management, automated systems, and regulatory requirements in research and manufacturing makes him well-placed to help the company scale sustainably. The company said his appointment would support its goal of becoming the global leader in R&D sample stability and storage services.

Speaking about the new hire, Lori A. Ball, chief executive at Astoriom, said the company was investing in leadership that could deliver not only revenue growth but also meaningful support to its scientific customer base. She said Smith’s appointment came at a pivotal moment for the company and would enable Astoriom to accelerate its growth trajectory and expand market share.

“Ryan brings a deep understanding of the unique demands of R&D, regulatory compliance, and expanding biopharma operations. Having delivered record growth across specimen management, capital equipment and outsourced services, his leadership will be instrumental in driving Astoriom’s global commercial strategy,” Ball said.

Smith said he was excited to join a company with such strong potential for global market leadership.

“Astoriom is committed to delivering industry-leading stability storage and biorepository services worldwide, providing critical solutions in a challenging time for organisations to scale while meeting evolving regulatory requirements,” he said. “Having the opportunity to apply the knowledge, processes and strategies I’ve developed over the last 20 years at this phase of the company’s growth is really exciting.”

Astoriom supports clients in safeguarding the integrity and viability of their sample assets, offering services that range from short- and long-term storage to disaster recovery and equipment validation. The company has recently invested in expanding its infrastructure and capabilities to meet rising demand.