At MTP Innovations, we pride ourselves on innovation and dedication, and no one exemplifies this better than our Commercial Director, Christine Sparks. With over three decades of experience in the public and private facilities services industry, Christine brings unparalleled expertise, passion, and a deep understanding of the healthcare sector to our team.
From an initial Spark
Christine’s career journey began in business and finance roles, where she gained valuable experience before pursuing higher education, earning a HNC and then degree in Management from the University of Sunderland.
Her early career saw her take on a variety of roles, from working in contract catering to becoming a regional operations manager for Aramark. These experiences built her operational knowledge and honed her leadership skills, setting the stage for her transition into the healthcare and facilities management sector.
It was in her role as operations director and latterly business development director for the healthcare division of Rentokil-Initial, that Christine met Mike Jepson, now MTP’s Managing Director. Her hands-on, collaborative approach – walking the floor to understand the challenges faced by grassroots healthcare teams – helped her build strong relationships, an in-depth knowledge of the sector, and unknowingly secure her next role.
Joining MTP Innovations
In 2011, Christine joined forces with Mike to co-found MTP Innovations. She was motivated by the potential of their groundbreaking product, DiffX™, a powerful non-chlorine disinfectant designed to improve infection control and public safety. Having seen the challenges cleaning and domestic teams faced with chlorine-based products first-hand, from harsh smells and respiratory problems to damage to equipment and surfaces, DiffX™ offered a game-changing solution: effective cleaning and disinfection without the downsides of chlorine.
Her early days with the company were hands-on, with Christine involved in everything from product development, stock management, and marketing. Today, her role has evolved into overseeing commercial strategy, client relationships, and driving the company’s growth and mission to make healthcare environments safer and more sustainable.
A household name
Christine has witnessed significant advancements in healthcare over the years, particularly the rise of infection control teams within the NHS. She takes pride in the role DiffX™ has played in helping IPC teams to adopt alternatives to chlorine, which are safer, more sustainable, effective, and aligned with the NHS’s net-zero goals.
Under Christine’s leadership, MTP Innovations has achieved many significant milestones, including securing patents for DiffX™ in the United States, New Zealand, Australia, France, the Netherlands, Germany, and the UK, reflecting the global potential of MTP Innovations’ products.
Christine’s passion for making a difference drives her every day, ensuring MTP Innovations continues to improve infection prevention while reducing environmental impact. Her vision is a future where DiffX™ is a household name, used not only in healthcare but in homes across the UK, Europe, and beyond.
Beyond the office
Christine’s dedication extends beyond her professional life. She is the chair of a local netball team, a level two coach working with under-16s team and has played and coached netball for decades, even volunteering at her local primary school for more than 10 years and coaching at county level. Her love for all fitness has now led her to HIIT workouts and strength training with a personal trainer. She has actively engaged in Pilates for many years, loves Zumba and dance classes. Whilst her running days are over, she completed the Great North Run as well as many local 10k races.
When she’s not on the court, Christine enjoys crafting, depending on the time of year her interests range from crocheting to making Christmas wreaths. She is also kept busy gardening, walking Ruby, her golden doodle, who she affectionately describes as a “princess”!
