Our Meet the Team series profiles the individuals who make up the UK Agri-Tech Centre, offering a glimpse into their stories and ambitions for the sector. Next is Dr Jenna Ross OBE, our Senior International Business Development Manager.
For Jenna, thinking globally is crucial to delivering impactful and positive change in the sector.
Tell us about your background. How did you come to work in this sector?
Farming is very much in my blood; I grew up on our family mixed farm in Aberdeenshire, a 750-acre enterprise covering beef, sheep, sucklers, and arable. Both sets of my grandparents were farmers, and our family farm is now in its fifth generation. It was the family farm and the rolling Grampian Mountain landscape that surrounds our land that very much inspired my career journey into nature, the environment and agriculture.
I studied for a PhD in Environmental Science at the University of Aberdeen and subsequently worked and studied in the US and South Africa, which introduced me to international work. Through a Knowledge Transfer Partnership, I began to think more commercially about my research and went on to complete international post-docs in Norway and South Africa, subsequently spending 10 years in sub-Saharan Africa, including Tanzania, Kenya and Angola, which massively broadened my perspective.
During this time, I pursued an MBA which completely changed my line of thinking – becoming much more strategic in my approach. In 2018, I embarked on a Nuffield Farming Scholarship, allowing me to explore the future of agriculture, especially slug control, which is a particular passion area for me, resulting in numerous project ideas. I then joined CHAP in 2019, before transitioning to lead their international efforts, and continue doing so in the UK Agri-Tech Centre.
I am fortunate to hold several leadership positions in industry, including Trustee for Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust, board member for The Farmers Club Charitable Trust, Chartered Management Institute and Inclusive Farm Scotland at MacRobert and Honorary Fellow at the University of Aberdeen. These roles have expanded my network and helped me think more widely about delivering impactful and positive change.
You won Innovator of the Year 2024 – can you speak about some of the innovations you’ve been involved in to win the title?
I was honoured to win Innovator of the Year 2024 from the National Women in Agriculture Awards for my contribution to the industry. It was a fantastic event held at the House of Commons and celebrated the length and breadth of the industry. The award wasn’t just for me, it recognises all the hard work and dedication across the various project teams I have had the honour of working with over the years.
It’s such a pleasure to work with so many amazing talented people, all working to deliver game-changing technologies to address some of the biggest global challenges.
One project I would like to highlight is SlugBot. It developed from my Nuffield Farming travels, uses AI to monitor and geolocate slugs, making biological control more cost-effective for broad-acre crops. This innovation not only reduces costs for farmers but also offers potential applications for other pests, weeds, and diseases. Following SlugBot, we launched the SLIMERS project, which continues to advance our work through farmer-led research and innovation.
Another major project, which is our first international UK Agri-Tech Centre project following the merger, is ‘SWEET SUCCESS’, a UK-South Africa collaboration aimed at driving the net zero transition by accelerating bioenergy production using sugarcane. This initiative addresses South Africa’s energy challenge by utilising sugarcane for bioenergy, increasing yields with pest-monitoring sensors, and introducing novel hydroponic systems in in areas not suitable for food production or housing, so not compromising land-use.
What does being Senior International Business Development Manager involve?
In my role, I am extremely fortunate to meet and work with a range of organisations across academia, industry and Government, both in the UK and overseas. This can include working with UK technology providers to bring the products, services and expertise overseas through grant or commercial R&D project, including everything from the ideation stage, right through to delivery, completion, impact and follow on projects.
Conversely, we also work with international organisations to help soft-land their technologies in the UK through the support of our innovative ecosystem. This is all facilitated through evolving policies and trade agreements. Additionally, we prioritise close collaboration with our members and partners, aiming to continuously grow and inspire our expanding network as the UK Agri-Tech Centre.
What is one of the sector challenges that your team aims to address?
One of the significant challenges our team addresses internationally is developing sustainable business models to make UK technologies cost-effective in less developed regions. Many areas face economic constraints, making it hard to adopt advanced technologies. We bridge this gap by collaborating with government agencies, industry leaders and local stakeholders to leverage grants, subsidies and strategic partnerships, reducing costs and creating scalable solutions tailored to specific regional needs.
Additionally, we focus on ensuring the technologies introduced are adaptable and resilient, addressing local issues and empowering communities to maintain and innovate these technologies independently, fostering long-term sustainability and resilience. This approach facilitates the global spread of UK technologies in a viable and impactful manner, creating growth opportunities in some of the world’s most vulnerable regions.
Do you have any advice for future innovators?
Utilise the UK Agri-Tech Centre! Our centre is a fantastic resource of knowledge, facilities, and capabilities designed to support innovation. As an independent not-for-profit, our mission is to help organisations advance their technologies from development to commercial impact.
For those looking to expand internationally, understanding the market is crucial. The UK Agri-Tech Centre is invaluable in this regard, offering insights into the challenges, opportunities, and barriers specific to different regions. Having a trusted local partner is essential and our strategic partnerships and membership network can be key resources to facilitate this and support companies in successfully introducing their technologies overseas.
What excites you about working at the UK Agri-Tech Centre?
I am passionate about leveraging game-changing technologies to tackle some of the world’s most pressing challenges through international collaborations. We have the opportunity to support the competitive advantage of the innovators we work with while addressing global issues and opportunities.
As a centre, we can deliver real on-the-ground impact—economic, societal, and environmental—particularly in the most vulnerable regions of the world. Through our comprehensive science-based solutions, UK Agri-Tech Centre has immense potential for growth and positive global influence.