Our People
Robert Patten
Managing Director
To break from tradition slightly here I reflect that there are very few opportunities in life that give you the chance of making a difference. The work we are doing at PlantWorks offers such an opportunity as we are focused on improving the ‘way we grow’ whether this be for food production or simply for our enjoyment. I am very proud of the team that we have brought together to develop new ways of producing and delivering beneficial soil microbes to increase plant efficiency. If you have an interest in growing more sustainably then we look forward to talking with and working with you..
Simon Taylor
Business Development Director
I have a background in commercial horticulture, marketing and sales, stretching back some twenty years. I lead the commercial activity at PlantWorks in all market sectors and I am pleased to introduce our team of scientists and technical sales staff to you with whom I hope we can address any question or problem you may have in relation to introducing activity biology into your growing system..
simon.taylor@plantworksuk.co.uk
Dr robert Saville
Joint Head of Science
Together with Dr QiaoYi Lin, I lead the science team at PlantWorks. I oversee day to day production, research the optimisation of manufacturing processes and manage in house and external trials the results from which underpin our product formulations and recommendations on optimum methods of application. I am involved in new product development; from inception to release and work closely with all other science disciplines within the company. My expertise is in horticulture and research delivery.
robert.saville@plantworksuk.co.uk
Dr Louisa Boyer
Technical Director
I am the technical director of PlantWorks and have worked in the field of soil microbes with a focus of mycorrhizal fungi for over 17 years. I have an active role in developing new bio fertisilers and educating agronomists and growers on how the enhance soil and substrate quality to increase plant efficiencies.
louisa.boyer@plantworksuk.co.uk
Dr QiaoYi Lin
Head of Science
As Joint Head of Science I am jointly responsible for all the research undertaken at PlantWorks with a specific focus on the development of Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) products for application in farming and horticulture. My work includes tuning products for specific crop types, new formulations, stability testing and working on the upscaling of production system in support the widening application of these products in the farming sector.
Natallia Gulbis
Technical and Arable Farming Lead
I studied soil sciences and agrochemistry as part of a five-year agricultural degree programme. After graduating I spent a number of years working on a farm, before joining PlantWorks in 2009 where I focused on mass production of mycorrhizal fungi and obtained Master degree researching this subject. In 2014 I took on the role of arable farm trials manager and have been jointly involved in the development of the SMART ROTATIONS product portfolio. As Technical and Arable Farming Lead I deal with all enquires in relation to how to apply and manage soil microbes to improve crop efficiency in UK farming.
Joanne O’Regan
Production Manager of Mycorrhizal Fungi
I am respI am responsible for the production of the PlantWorks mycorrhizal fungi technology. Produced at two sites at NIAB EMR at the Kent Science park we produce in excess of 100 tonnes of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) per annum comprising six species grown in mono culture. I am responsible for the management of both the growing systems and the QA of the fungus post harvest.
joanne.oregan@plantworksuk.co.uk
Marios Stamatiou
Trial Manager
PlantWorks has an extensive trials programme, typically with over fifty trials ongoing in any one year, across the horticulture and farming sectors. I am responsible for the management of these trials, including trial design, setup, monitoring and in collaboration with the science leads the review the outcomes to inform product refinement and new product development. I am also involved in the development of new manufacturing methods for both EMF and PGPR.
Courtney Gray
Marketing and Communications Manager
I lead the digital marketing at PlantWorks with a specific focus on collaboration with internet B2B partners and social media. I am responsible for the design and production of all printed marketing support material from Point of Sale for the gardening sector to technical briefing papers for the farming and horticultural sectors as well the placement of advertising material in support of our ever expanding product portfolio.
Lisa Stiffell
Office Manager
As a customer focussed company I manage all communications with our partners in retail, farming and commercial horticultural in relation to ordering, delivery and reconciliation. I manage the PlantWorks Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system allowing the company to track all subcomponent of every product to ensure we achieve the most efficient and reliable delivery of goods across all our operational sectors through multiple supply chains.