Governance

Driving innovation in UK agri-tech

At the heart of the UK Agri-Tech Centre is a leadership team committed to shaping the future of food and farming.

Our Board and Executive Team provide strategic direction and champion collaboration across science, industry and policy to accelerate innovation and tackle agriculture’s most pressing challenges — from climate resilience and labour shortages to disease mitigation and environmental sustainability.

Through their vision and expertise, they connect producers, researchers, funders and businesses to unlock opportunities, strengthen networks and guide the sector towards a more sustainable and productive future.

Our experts are here to support you.

Board

Dr Peter Quinn

Chairman

Board

Dr Peter Quinn was chairman of CHAP and led the creation of the UK Agri-Tech Centre by merging CHAP, CIEL and Agri-EPI Centre. He has...

Tim Bennett

Board

Tim Bennett chaired CIEL, one of the UK Agri-Tech Centre’s legacy Centres from 2016 until it became part of the UK Agri-Tech Centre in...

Vincent Gillingham

Board

Vincent Gillingham is the founder of several well-known precision and digital farming brands operating across the UK, Europe and Africa. He has built a reputation...

Tom Hind

Board

Tom Hind is Chief Executive of the North York Moors National Park, one of 15 National Parks in the UK. With a team of over...

Jonathan Lea

Board

Jonathan Lea has wide experience as CFO of a FTSE 250 multi-national business as well as in private equity backed and not-for-profit businesses. He is...

Dean Cook

Board

Dean Cook is Executive Director for Place and Global at Innovate UK. As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, Dean currently has responsibility for...

Tim Mordan

Board

Tim Mordan was a senior civil servant at Defra until his retirement in March 2024. He is now a Non-Executive Director at the UK-Agri-Tech Centre....

Hannah Senior

Board

Hannah Senior helps to lead the UK Agri-Tech Centre in its mission to develop and grow innovative agri-tech ventures, supporting their technical and commercial development...

Executive Leadership Team

Dr Ruth Bastow, BSc Hons, D.Phil

Chief Technology Officer

Ruth grew up on a mixed farm in South Wales, she has a PhD in Plant Biology and has held research posts in plant genetics...

Helen Brookes, BSc, FRASE

Engagement Director

Engagement, Engagement Director

Helen has extensive experience working across both Research & Development and Knowledge Exchange teams, complemented by experience in the commercial and research sectors of the...

Lyndsey Kendall, FCMA, CGMA

Operations Director

Operations, Operations Director

Lyndsey Kendall began her career as a qualified accountant working for large power companies, specialising in financial reporting. Over time, Lyndsey transitioned into more generic...

Dr Harry Langford

Innovation Director

Harry Langford has a background in soil science and geomicrobiology, with a PhD in Environmental Science from the University of Sheffield. He has worked in...

Dr Grace O’Gorman

External Affairs Director

Grace is External Affairs Director at the UK Agri-Tech Centre, where her role is focused on policy and engagement with government and the agri-tech ecosystem....

If you would like to get in touch with us, please fill out the form below. We’ll be delighted to talk to you.

To find out what we are up to, where we are and what projects we are working on, you may find these other pages useful. If you are interested in a career in agricultural technology, please check out our careers page and what we look for in a UK Agri-Tech team member.

Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our colleagues to give us your ideas and answer your questions and queries.