Management Team
Dr Joshua Afzal
Operations Director
Ph.D, MSc, BSc
Joshua Afzal is a crop scientist with 15 years' experience in R&D. Expert in regenerative agriculture, vertical farming, hydroponics and crop protection, advancing food security through partnerships and capacity building.
Dr Paul Hilton
Chief Scientist
Ph.D, BA (Oxon) , MA (Oxon), LL.B (Hons), LL.M, FGS, FRSA, FRGS, FHEA
Dr Hilton is an Intellectual Property lawyer and an expert in AI for CEA and automation systems, with deep technical oversight across R&D and deployment. NASA Consultant (2023–).
Dr Mark Haislund
Head of Dietetics
Ph.D, MBA, BA (Hons)
Dr Mark is Head of Dietetics, leading evidence-based product strategy and clinical validation. Drives outcomes-focused nutrition pathways, KOL engagement, and education, aligning R&D, quality, and commercial teams to deliver trusted, measurable results.
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Keith Symons
CFO
Chartered Accountant (FCCA)
An expert in financial planning and analysis, building robust budgets and forecasts, tracking unit economics, and translating R&D and production plans into actionable performance insights.
James Caughey
Head of Logistics
MBA (Logistics), EurEng
James is a logistics and supply chain expert with 30+ years managing operations both in the UK and internationally across multiple industries and high-pressure environments.
Nazeem Akhtar
Superintendent Pharmacist
MPharm
MPharm-qualified pharmacist with 18 years’ experience, registered independent diabetes prescriber, with NHS and private-sector background. Entrepreneurial owner leading Pharma Medicare to bridge care gaps, enhance services, and introduce hospital technology
Advisory Board
Bernard Sleijster
Alvis Ma
CEO Indoorvertical.farm
CEO, Growspec Inc.
NIMA B Marketing, Praktijkdiploma
BA (Hons)
A sustainability-focused entrepreneur with 20+ years experience, specialising in clean-tech, renewables, and agritech. Co-Founder of Indoor Vertical.Farm.
An experienced entrepreneur with a strong track record of founding successful businesses, Alvis established Guangzhou Matec Electronics in 2008, Foshan Tuffplus Automotive Lighting in 2014, and GROWSPEC Global in 2015.
Partners
