CAMBRIDGE - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Managing Director of EMEA
Danny serves as the Managing Director of EMEA and Global Programs at SVG Ventures | THRIVE, a prominent investor in the agri-food tech sector. In this role, he oversees the firm's European portfolio and leads THRIVE's accelerator programs in Silicon Valley, Calgary, and Melbourne, which are pivotal in generating substantial deal flow and fostering innovation.
Prior to his current role, Danny expanded his expertise in corporate innovation with firms in London and New York before becoming an entrepreneur, founding two startups, including a venture capital platform catalyzing investment in emerging startups which initially led him to AgTech in 2018.
David brings a wealth of investment experience across the agri-tech sector from large corporates to start-ups. His corporate experience includes as a Non-Executive Director at Syngenta and Syngenta's Head of Research & Development; where he was a member of the investment panel for the joint venture fund established with Life Science Partners. David was instrumental in the creation of Syngenta Ventures.
David consults for and advises number of early-stage start-up companies. In the recent past, he was Chair of the Knowledge Transfer network (KTN), member of UKI2S Advisory Committee, Agri-tech Leadership and Industrial Biotechnology Leadership Teams and a Director of Rothamsted Research.
Declan is Head of Technology Development and Licensing at Cambridge Enterprise.
He has a track record leading business and technology teams serving a range of industries involved in engineering, pharma, food and healthcare services in Europe, North America and China.
In his previous role as Executive Director of Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Engagement at the University of Glasgow he developed and executed a new Innovation Strategy building a new capability to support the research base, led the University's participation in Glasgow's Levelling Up - Innovation Accelerator program and developed the Entrepreneurial Campus Program.
Prior to this as Deputy Director for Research & Innovation in Trinity College Dublin, he has successfully led on the University's strategy and delivery for industry partnerships, Knowledge Transfer (TTO), New Campus Companies and Academic Consultancy. Dr Weldon also sits on the Advisory Board Spin-outs Denmark and has previously served on the board of University Bridge Funds 1 & 2, and COPD Support Ireland.
Job Titles:
- Delivery Director at the UK Agri - Tech
Dr Trisha Toop is Delivery Director at the UK Agri-Tech centre. She oversees project management, facilities, farm networks and robotics and AI. Her expertise includes working with agri-tech growth and resources, agricultural-based energy systems, sustainability, life cycle analysis, algal systems, manufacturing engineering, R&D.
Job Titles:
- Chairman
- Independent Chair
Jim is a highly experienced Chair, providing an invaluable link between public and private sectors. Public experience includes chairing several national and international agricultural research centres. Private sector experience includes a lifetime of practical farming as a director of RJ and AE Godfrey, a family farming business in Lincolnshire.
His wealth of agri-tech experience includes membership of Technology Strategy Board's Innovate UK Sustainable Agriculture, Food Innovation Platform, Agri-Food Technology Council, BBSRC Council, Commercial Farmers Group, a director of the Lincolnshire Rural Support Network (LRSN), and the Lincoln University Industry Agri-Food Technology Group. Jim was awarded the OBE for services to Scottish agricultural research in 2002 and is a Fellow of the Institute of Directors.
Job Titles:
- Innovation Development Officer at the University of East Anglia
Jonathan is an Innovation Development Officer at the University of East Anglia. He brings over 15 years of experience in industry, previously holding product management roles at BT. Jonathan's expertise lies in identifying and fostering innovative solutions, with a proven track record of investment management and monitoring commercial success.
He holds a BSc in Software Engineering from the University of East Anglia, bringing a strong technical foundation to his innovation-focused work.
Mark has more than 35 years of commercial banking experience at Barclays plc. As Managing Director & National Head of Agriculture his focus was on evaluating and funding farming businesses and Landed Estates investments in agri-tech, sustainable energy and environmental approaches.
Through his current portfolio of roles, he brings a wealth of insight into Government Departments and Agencies, civic partners and farming organisations. His roles include: a member of DEFRA Farming Innovation Programme Strategy Group; Non-Executive member of the Rural Payments Agency Advisory Management Board; Non-Executive Director at the Environment Agency; Chair of Farming Community Network (FCN).
Job Titles:
- Research Project Manager at the University of Lincoln
Polly is a Research Project Manager at the University of Lincoln. Prior to joining the team over the past 5 years, she has held roles in within College Finance and support of the BASIS short course delivery at the University. Polly has over 15 years experience in purchasing and supply chain management across a range of industries including IT, Aerospace, Pharmaceuticals.
Polly holds a BSc Molecular and Cellular Biology from University of Bath and Professional Diploma in Procurement and Supply (CIPS.org).
Richard has more than thirty years' experience in large scale agriculture operating at the cutting edge of applied technology. He was previously Managing Director of Beeswax Dyson Farming, the UK's largest farming business with an asset base of £600m, where he oversaw the development and application of agricultural technology to drive sustainability; making Dyson Farming carbon neutral.
Richard currently holds several roles in agriculture and agri-tech companies. He has experience of commercialising university research in his role as CEO of Fruitcast Limited an AI/Crop Forecasting company; a Ceres spin-out from the University of Lincoln. He has successfully raised both grant and private investment to bring this Ceres funded agri-tech innovation to fruit growers.
Job Titles:
- Head of Technical for Produce
Sarah is Head of Technical for Produce and Horticulture at Sainsbury's Supermarkets. She brings significant customer, food retailing and supply chain experience from her 15 years' experience across different Sainsbury's food categories and from her previous technical roles in the food supply base.
Previously as Head of the Crop and Agriculture Data at Sainsbury's she oversaw the development of partnerships with centres of excellence to deliver innovation to benefit the Sainsbury's supply chain; constantly evaluating investment decisions to deliver the projects with the highest rate of return for Sainsbury's customers. Sarah brings her unique experience and insight of UK and global agri-food supply chains to bear when evaluating potential agri-tech innovations.
A corporate venture builder with varied leadership experiences in the venture capital and the consumer goods industry, Vivek is the Co-founder and General Partner of an innovative climate-tech VC fund - the Defossilisation Development Fund. He is based in Switzerland and in his most recent corporate role, he was the Head of Incubation & Venturing at Nestle's global headquarters.
Previously, he set up and led Nestle's pioneering Open Innovation Hubs in London & Singapore. While based in Singapore, he held general management roles, with Asian markets P&L responsibility, with Diageo, Red Bull and Heineken.