Field of Expertise
Circular product design, sustainable materials innovation, and regenerative manufacturing systems specialising in the design and commercialisation of circular mattress technologies. Expertise includes design for disassembly, material lifecycle validation, and development of business models that merge profitability with environmental stewardship.
Expertise
Richard Naylor is a recognised expert in circular mattress design, sustainable materials, and product system innovation. As Founder and CEO of YUMI Sleep Ltd, Richard leads the development of a patent-pending modular mattress system that challenges the global “take–make–dispose” model by enabling repair, upgrade, and full material recovery.
His expertise lies in applying circular economy principles to complex consumer products transforming linear manufacturing models into regenerative systems that deliver measurable environmental, commercial, and social value. Richard’s approach integrates design for disassembly, closed-loop material flows, and consumer-centred customisation, setting new standards for circular product architecture.
A sustainability-literate entrepreneur with an MSc (Distinction) in Sustainability and a PhD in progress focused on circular mattress systems, Richard combines academic depth with over 20 years of industry leadership in design, marketing, and sustainable product strategy. His research-backed commercial innovation provides a blueprint for how the furniture and bedding industries can achieve genuine circularity while improving comfort, hygiene, and user wellbeing.