Experience

VIDAfresh Ltd

• United Kingdom
• Food Production
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Head of Technical

  • Apr 2021 - Present

• Technical Manager

  • Apr 2020 - Apr 2021


fruit guyde consulting
• France
• Food and Beverage Manufacturing
• Freelance Consultant

  • Nov 2019 - Present


Martha's Best

• Food and Beverage Manufacturing

• Senior Technical Consultant

  • Feb 2019 - Sep 2019

  I contributed to farm operation improvements and developed an analysis of individual field performance. I started the “Mind the Gap” program to maintain correct planting density. I rationalised pesticide management and successfully argued for actives to be included on a retailer list. I streamlined record and data handling, transferring records from paper to digital. I constructed an intranet to improve information sharing within the business. I launched trials of organic fertilisers and helped to develop long-term strategy. Show less



Wealmoor Ltd

• United Kingdom
• Food and Beverage Manufacturing
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Agriculture Manager

  • Apr 2015 - Feb 2019

  I worked with growers in Peru, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Turkey, Spain, Israel, Côte d’Ivoire, Gambia, and Senegal to deliver safe, high quality mangoes, papayas, pomegranates, figs, persimmon, passion fruit, granadilla and physalis to Wealmoor, identifying and sharing best practice. I supported the business with product knowledge and updates from source. I produced product attribute sheets for use with customers and for internal training, and updated product specifications. I communicated with retail technical managers and buyers on product quality and supply issues at source. I hosted overseas customer visits and carried out customer surveys and audits including Waitrose Farm Assessments. I conducted internal and customer benchmarking sessions, and carried out non-conformance investigations. From Sept. 2017 I was also Technical Manager dealing with Morrisons tropical and exotic fruit. Together with the Account Manager we brought a step-change to engagement through better interaction with the Buying team, the Technical Managers and the Quality Manager. We eliminated 12 tonnes of plastic packaging annually. I developed dashboards to monitor performance and by feeding back to production lines reduced depot rejections year on year. Show less



Chiquita

• Switzerland
• Food Production
• 700 & Above Employee

• Head of Postharvest R&D (Bananas) for the Tropics

  • May 2010 - Jan 2015

  I expanded the capacity and capability of the postharvest lab by installing new cold rooms and upgrading existing rooms with ethylene sensors and a computerised control and monitoring system. We conducted R&D projects for innovation, new product development and base business support, including testing of new banana varieties. I built a banana flavour map linking flavour to genotype based on sensory panel data. We provided technical assistance to support the Production Divisions, US and European markets, and other Depts. We took part in the early development of RipeLock (AgroFresh). We audited packing station performance and acted as gatekeepers for new products before adoption by the business. We validated a biological solution to the banana latex problem that also greatly reduced water use. Show less



CIRAD

• France
• Research Services
• 700 & Above Employee

• Postharvest Physiologist

  • Sep 2001 - Apr 2010

  From 2002-2004 I worked with Embrapa Semi-Árido in Petrolina, Pernambuco, Brazil on improving mango quality in the export industry. I supervised a student project to find out which postharvest handling steps contribute to lenticel spotting in Tommy Atkins mangoes. From 2004 to 2010 I worked in Montpellier on project preparation and execution; student supervision and assessment; and the organization of and participation at conferences in France and overseas. I focussed on non-destructive testing of mango with near infrared spectroscopy (NIR). I carried out trials of mango hot water treatment for fruit fly control in Burkina Faso. Show less



Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Netherlands

• Supplemental Expert

  • Sep 1995 - Aug 2001

  Seconded to the Honduran Foundation for Agricultural Research (FHIA), Honduras, as Head of Postharvest Dept. The Dept. supported the banana breeding programme led by Dr. Phil Rowe by characterising the postharvest handling and ripening characteristics of new FHIA hybrids. We supported small growers and grower groups in postharvest handling of fruit and vegetables for local and export markets. Post Hurricane Mitch in 1998 I worked mainly on extension activities with plantain grower groups. Seconded to the Honduran Foundation for Agricultural Research (FHIA), Honduras, as Head of Postharvest Dept. The Dept. supported the banana breeding programme led by Dr. Phil Rowe by characterising the postharvest handling and ripening characteristics of new FHIA hybrids. We supported small growers and grower groups in postharvest handling of fruit and vegetables for local and export markets. Post Hurricane Mitch in 1998 I worked mainly on extension activities with plantain grower groups.



University of York

• United Kingdom
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Research Fellow

  • 1992 - 1995

  “Below ground carbon allocation in relation to atmospheric CO2 enrichment and temperature”. I developed a system using mini-rhizotrons for videoing roots in soil in the field (Great Dun Fell, Cumbria), recording the data in a database, and then analysing root “births” and “deaths” over time. “Below ground carbon allocation in relation to atmospheric CO2 enrichment and temperature”. I developed a system using mini-rhizotrons for videoing roots in soil in the field (Great Dun Fell, Cumbria), recording the data in a database, and then analysing root “births” and “deaths” over time.



University of Leeds

• United Kingdom
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Research Fellow

  • 1989 - 1992

  Natural Resources Institute Research Fellow at the University of Leeds, Proctor Food Science Dept. Non-destructive evaluation of tropical fruit quality. Natural Resources Institute Research Fellow at the University of Leeds, Proctor Food Science Dept. Non-destructive evaluation of tropical fruit quality.