Our Meet the Team series profiles individuals who make up the UK Agri-Tech Centre, offering a glimpse into their stories and ambition for the sector. Next up is Lyndsey Kendall, our Operations Director.
Lyndsey’s primary focus is on increasing efficiency and productivity through improved systems and processes.
Tell us about your background. How did you come to work in this sector?
I am a qualified accountant and have worked in sectors including the NHS, telehealth technology and the utilities industry. Before moving into the agri-tech sector, I spent 14 years in the utilities industry reporting on several flexible power-generating assets in the UK and Northern Ireland.
In 2020, I decided it was time for a change. I saw an advert for a role at CIEL and thought, “Why not? Let’s make 2020 the year for something new.” So, despite the challenges of COVID, I joined CIEL in early May 2020 and immediately fell in love with the sector. I did not expect to enjoy it as much as I did.
I quickly realised that I had an opportunity to help the sector, not only keep up with science and engineering but to advance it too. Our sector has many problems that are yet to be solved, creating lots of exciting opportunities. This, of course, all won me over.
What does being Operations Director involve?
As Operations Director, my role involves establishing new processes and creating a unique department from scratch. Previously, many roles within our team were performed by staff wearing multiple hats. Since April, we have been setting up systems and processes, which has been challenging yet rewarding. Our operations team is small and agile, allowing us to work closely together as a cohesive unit. Our primary focus is on increasing efficiency and productivity through improved systems and processes.
Health and safety is another critical aspect of my role. We are striving to build a non-blame culture where accidents are reported, investigated and learned from, ensuring a safe and healthy work environment across all our locations. This focus stems from my background in utilities power generation, which involves significant risks, similar to the challenges we face in agriculture with people working on farms and maintaining equipment.
What inspires you in this line of work?
I am inspired by the efficiencies we can achieve through IT solutions that serve our customers and stakeholders and drive innovation. Standing on the cusp of change as a newly merged entity, we are implementing new systems and processes that help back-office functions and enable our innovation, projects, marketing and business development teams to make a difference.
I like to think of us as an F1 pit stop team – our operations should be so seamless that you hardly notice it.
What makes the UK Agri-Tech Centre a special place to work?
We have a unique opportunity to tackle grand challenges in agriculture and beyond at the UK Agri-Tech Centre, such as aiming for net zero goals. Our unique selling point is helping people who want to make a positive impact. It is incredibly rewarding to make a difference in someone’s life and that is what makes working here so special.