HOW WE DO IT

FOUNDER / CEO

Alastair is a strategic business professional with over 12 years of experience developing concepts into functioning and profitable businesses. His experience spans from consumer goods companies Mars, Kraft Foods and Concha y Toro to the energy industry with National Grid.

Most recently, before Blakeway Weyburn, Alastair was Head of Engineering Services at National Grid supporting field based engineers with 24/7/365 services enabling the maintenance of critical national infrastructure. Outside of work, Alastair enjoys rambling with his two young boys and spending time with his wife.

SENIOR PLANT SCIENTIST

Dr. Sally Wilkinson is an award-winning, highly cited research scientist in the field of crop physiology and sustainable agriculture. Previsouly, Sally has held positions at both Southampton and Lancaster Universities in the UK.

Publishing over 50 articles in peer reviewed journals, her work has revealed novel aspects of plant biology that underlie effects of the environment on crop growth and yield, particularly in relation to carbon, water and nitrogen use efficiency. Sally also enjoys strolling amongst the trees with her dog or cooking up a storm in the kitchen.

BUSINESS OUTCOME MANAGER

Jenny is a sustainability professional focused on building, growing, and transforming businesses. She holds degrees from Dublin City University and Northeastern University in International Business and Finance.

Previously, Jenny worked at the Boston Consulting Group in consulting and co-founded a food business in Ireland. Jenny creates value through circular business models with a focus on real-zero. When she’s not working to make the world a better place, Jenny enjoys exploring nature along the Wild Atlantic Way on the West coast of Ireland.

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR

Sam is a commercial strategy professional with experience in both the public and private sector. He has worked primarily in regulated environments; firstly as an economist at HM Treasury and then as a commercial policy advisor at the Cabinet Office – responsible for the establishment and management of public-private joint venture companies.

Most recently Sam has lead business development activity at National Grid where he successfully delivered a variety of projects in the creation of a new 120 person Engineering Services function, a first of its kind in the utilities sector. Outside of work Sam is a keen golfer who is on a never-ending quest for a single-figure handicap.

PLANT SCIENTIST AND TECHNOLOGY LEAD

Tom is a plant science and agricultural innovator, with experience working in the public and private sectors in the UK and abroad. He holds BSc and MSc degrees in Biological Sciences from University College London.

Previously, Tom has worked at agritech startups and universities in the Netherlands, with a particular focus on robotic integration and machine vision in commercial greenhouses. Most recently Tom managed landscape and infrastructure projects in the public parks of London. Outside of work, Tom enjoys all things outdoors, from hiking to surfing.

SUSTAINABILITY ANALYST

Dr. Oksana Davis is a sustainability strategy professional specializing in climate change adaptation, green finance, and sustainability analysis. She has worked in the education, research, energy, agroforestry, and agriculture sectors in South Africa, the Netherlands, Ukraine, the UK, and Slovakia.

Oksana holds a PhD in Finance with a concentration on agricultural commodities from the National University of Ukraine. She has extensive experience as a project coordinator with the World Bank and United Nations. Outside of work, she enjoys long walks with her husband and dog while hunting for soil samples, fossils, and mushrooms.

PROGRAMME MANAGER

Dave is a project professional with over 20 years’ experience delivering and managing programmes and portfolios. With a 1st class Engineering degree from the University of Nottingham and an MSc in Programme Management from the University of Manchester Dave has worked across sectors from Telecomms through to Aerospace.

Dave has spent the last 10 years delivering projects and programmes at Rolls Royce from Large Jet Engine Outdoor Test Facilities to complex £multi-million portfolios. Outside of work Dave can be found swimming, biking and running; usually in that order and preferably one after another.

TECHNICAL PROCESS ENGINEER

Iain is an experienced consultant with over 25 years process excellence experience, focusing on optimisation and integration of Manufacturing Processes. Exposure to a range of safety critical products and processes utilised in automotive, aerospace and nuclear. Expert in root cause analysis relating to quality defects and process capability studies.

At the University of Leicester, Iain studied the optimisation of crop Plant micropropagation through the application of high shear force and automated distribution of particulate. Previously at Toyota, Rolls Royce, the UK Ministry of Defence and Tata Steel, in his spare time Iain enjoys DIY and long walks.

CLIMATE CHANGE PROJECT MANAGER

Nina is a project management professional with experience in the automotive and agri-tech industries with a penchant for delivering complex projects to tight timeframes. She holds a masters in mechanical engineering from Sheffield Hallam University.

With previous experience at Jaguar Land Rover, Nina delivered multiple car programmes simultaneously; while her time within agri-tech was focused on research and development. Her experience ranges from clay vehicles and show cars to vertical farming. In her spare time, Nina enjoys sailing, snowboarding, knitting and sewing and walking in the countryside.

CLIMATE CHANGE PROJECT MANAGER

Jerome is a project manager with experience in energy and carbon reduction programs within the pharmaceutical and building industry. He holds a 1st class degree in Mechanical/Energy degree from Galway Mayo institute of Technology, and currently undertaking a master’s in project and programme management from University of Limerick.

He recently implemented an energy program which included 9 energy related projects and contributed to the ISO 50001 certification of a pharmaceutical site. Jerome has also delivered several district heating schemes combined with Biomass boiler projects across the UK. Outside work, Jerome enjoys being outdoors and running up hills in Connemara.