Experience

Royal Agricultural University

• United Kingdom
• Higher Education
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Head of Business Innovation and Growth

  • Jan 2023 - Present

  The purpose of my role is to strategically drive the success of both Farm491 and the Cirencester Growth Hub, by sourcing new opportunities and working on strategic level plans that also feed into the wider University vision and external activities. Examples include sitting on relevant internal and external steering groups such as GFirst LEP’s Rural and Agri Food Group to lead and deliver county-wide strategies. The purpose of my role is to strategically drive the success of both Farm491 and the Cirencester Growth Hub, by sourcing new opportunities and working on strategic level plans that also feed into the wider University vision and external activities. Examples include sitting on relevant internal and external steering groups such as GFirst LEP’s Rural and Agri Food Group to lead and deliver county-wide strategies.



Farm491

• United Kingdom
• Farming
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Head of Farm491

  • May 2021 - Jan 2023

• AgriTech Commercialisation Associate

  • Jan 2020 - May 2021

  My main role was to support early stage start-ups who are focusing on the future of food and farming. I achieved this through delivering business support workshops, getting start-ups investor-ready, and providing advice on business planning. I developed a strong network of investors, academics and industry experts - all of whom provided opportunities for the companies I was supporting.As well as mentoring start-ups on external programmes I also spoke at national and international events. Topics often included how innovations in agriculture can help overcome challenges faced within the industry, as well as advice on getting pitch-ready and understanding your market.Having applied for an Innovate UK bid in late 2020 alongside a Farm491 member, I am very aware of the need for collaboration between businesses and academia. I am also well-aligned to the requirements of other funding opportunities due to being responsible for managing Farm491's ERDF-funded Inspiring AgriTech Innovation Programme workshops and reporting these outcomes quarterly. Show less

• Farm491 Outreach Officer

  • Jun 2018 - Jan 2020

  During my time as outreach and marketing officer at Farm491 I was responsible for managing social media, publicity material, event organisation and public speaking. Through my attendance at external events I built strong working relationships with various relevant media outlets. In 2019 I organised an AgriTech Season which culminated in a two day AgriTech showcase attended by over 200 participants in Cirencester. The showcase consisted of live demonstrations, discussion groups and networking.



COFCO International

• Switzerland
• Food and Beverage Manufacturing
• 700 & Above Employee

• Farm Trader

  • Oct 2016 - Jun 2018

  As a Farm Trader I was responsible for buying grain from farmers and selling seed and fertiliser. The skills gained in this role have been invaluable to my career, including communication, conflict management, market reporting, analysis, sales and managing expectations. As a Farm Trader I was responsible for buying grain from farmers and selling seed and fertiliser. The skills gained in this role have been invaluable to my career, including communication, conflict management, market reporting, analysis, sales and managing expectations.