THE WORLD LEADING MISCANTHUS SPECIALIST
Terravesta is cutting emissions and replacing the dependence on fossil-fuels with a regenerative, natural solution – Miscanthus.
Our vision is to develop plants which store carbon, improve our soils, enhance biodiversity and, to grow new sustainable markets, materials and products.
Terravesta Performance Hybrids are key players in the climate change revolution…
FIND OUT HOW
MEET THE TEAM
Hamish Bichan
FINANCE DIRECTOR
William Cracroft-Eley
CHAIRMAN
Nat Le Roux
NON EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Alex Robinson
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
Simon Calder
PRODUCTION & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
Dr Michael Squance
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY DIRECTOR
Dr Jason Kam
R&D MANAGER
Antonella Iurato
PLANT BREEDING & SEED PRODUCTION MANAGER
Jonathan Backhouse
OPERATIONS MANAGER
Mark Coleman
CUSTOMER ACCOUNT MANAGER
Alison Fisher
OPERATIONS & SALES ADMINISTRATOR
Debbie Bringloe
OFFICE MANAGER
Tracy Devlin-Gray
HEAD OF ACCOUNTS
Andrzej Matyjewski
HEAD OF EUROPEAN OPERATIONS
Sophie Wilesmith
PR & COMMUNICATIONS
Pepper, Bessie, Orla & Dill
OFFICE PETS
Dr Jason Kam
R&D MANAGER
Jason is a scientist with a background steeped in academia. He’s spent his career specialising in the study of farmed crops and among his many scientific accolades is achieving a PhD looking at molecular responses to drought in wheat. Jason first worked on Miscanthus research in 2016 and is now relishing the opportunity to transfer scientific knowledge into practical uses for Miscanthus which benefit our environment.
To speak to Jason click here
Fun Facts
SOMETHING MOST PEOPLE DON'T KNOW ABOUT ME
I am Australian
GUILTY PLEASURE
Gun-Fu movies
FAVOURITE FOOD
Mum's home cooked meals
Jason is a scientist with a background steeped in academia. He’s spent his career specialising in the study of farmed crops and among his many scientific accolades is achieving a PhD looking at molecular responses to drought in wheat. Jason first worked on Miscanthus research in 2016 and is now relishing the opportunity to transfer scientific knowledge into practical uses for Miscanthus which benefit our environment.
To speak to Jason click here
Fun Facts
SOMETHING MOST PEOPLE DON'T KNOW ABOUT ME
I am Australian
GUILTY PLEASURE
Gun-Fu movies
FAVOURITE FOOD
Mum's home cooked meals
Antonella Iurato
PLANT BREEDING & SEED PRODUCTION MANAGER
Antonella’s role is key to upscaling Miscanthus crops around the world to meet increased demand. Her main objective is to find exciting new seed-based Miscanthus Performance Hybrids to suit different climates and markets. She manages seed production and harvest which takes her to many locations, but mainly Catania on Sicily’s east coast. Antonella is a qualified agronomist and is also completing a PhD on ‘Investigating the biological potential of Miscanthus seed production in Southern Europe’…she really knows her stuff!To speak to Antonella click here
Fun Facts
FAVOURITE FOOD
Pizza
BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENT
Being happy with what I do
MOTO TO LIVE BY
Hakuna Matata
Antonella’s role is key to upscaling Miscanthus crops around the world to meet increased demand. Her main objective is to find exciting new seed-based Miscanthus Performance Hybrids to suit different climates and markets. She manages seed production and harvest which takes her to many locations, but mainly Catania on Sicily’s east coast. Antonella is a qualified agronomist and is also completing a PhD on ‘Investigating the biological potential of Miscanthus seed production in Southern Europe’…she really knows her stuff!
To speak to Antonella click here
To speak to Antonella click here
Fun Facts
FAVOURITE FOOD
Pizza
BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENT
Being happy with what I do
MOTO TO LIVE BY
Hakuna Matata
Jonathan Backhouse
OPERATIONS MANAGER
Jonathan works with new growers to get Miscanthus off to the best possible start as well as supporting them through the crop’s life. His background is rooted in agriculture, coming from an agri-engineering family, and he has held numerous posts on farms since leaving Harper Adams in 2006. After training with a leading national farming company, his last post was assistant farm manager with a large-scale arable business and his genuine passion for the sector means he understands the challenges farmers face and is committed to enhancing our environment and preserving wildlife with Miscanthus.To speak to Jonathan click here
Fun Facts
GUILTY PLEASURE
Land Rover ownership
BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENT
Winning a number of dinghy racing championships including a EuroCup at Lake Garda
MOTO TO LIVE BY
“That’ll do” will never do
Jonathan works with new growers to get Miscanthus off to the best possible start as well as supporting them through the crop’s life. His background is rooted in agriculture, coming from an agri-engineering family, and he has held numerous posts on farms since leaving Harper Adams in 2006. After training with a leading national farming company, his last post was assistant farm manager with a large-scale arable business and his genuine passion for the sector means he understands the challenges farmers face and is committed to enhancing our environment and preserving wildlife with Miscanthus.
To speak to Jonathan click here
To speak to Jonathan click here
Fun Facts
GUILTY PLEASURE
Land Rover ownership
BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENT
Winning a number of dinghy racing championships including a EuroCup at Lake Garda
MOTO TO LIVE BY
“That’ll do” will never do
Mark Coleman
CUSTOMER ACCOUNT MANAGER
Mark is a people person, and keeps the team laughing with his quick wit as well as bringing with him a wealth of experience in customer support. Past posts include branch management for a leading bank and financial consultancy for pensions and investments. He is highly skilled in problem solving and ensures Terravesta growers are well-supported. He works closely with Jonathan Backhouse, our operations manager, to develop our Harvest Hub and keep our farmers fully updated.To speak to Mark click here
Fun Facts
FAVOURITE DRINK
Ice-cold pint of cider on a sunny day
HIDDEN TALENT
I have performed stand up comedy (successfully) and have been and extra in a film. I can play the guitar, ukulele, mandolin and am trying to learn the banjo
MOTO TO LIVE BY
In a world where you can be anything... be kind
Mark is a people person, and keeps the team laughing with his quick wit as well as bringing with him a wealth of experience in customer support. Past posts include branch management for a leading bank and financial consultancy for pensions and investments. He is highly skilled in problem solving and ensures Terravesta growers are well-supported. He works closely with Jonathan Backhouse, our operations manager, to develop our Harvest Hub and keep our farmers fully updated.
To speak to Mark click here
To speak to Mark click here
Fun Facts
FAVOURITE DRINK
Ice-cold pint of cider on a sunny day
HIDDEN TALENT
I have performed stand up comedy (successfully) and have been and extra in a film. I can play the guitar, ukulele, mandolin and am trying to learn the banjo
MOTO TO LIVE BY
In a world where you can be anything... be kind
Hamish Bichan
FINANCE DIRECTOR
Hamish Bichan has enjoyed consultancy, advisory and executive management roles in agriculture for over 25 years. He is an active member of the Terravesta management team, assisting with strategy implementation, budget forecasting and reporting and helping to maintain an effective supply chain, from farmers right through to end users.To speak to Hamish click here
Hamish Bichan has enjoyed consultancy, advisory and executive management roles in agriculture for over 25 years. He is an active member of the Terravesta management team, assisting with strategy implementation, budget forecasting and reporting and helping to maintain an effective supply chain, from farmers right through to end users.
To speak to Hamish click here
To speak to Hamish click here
William Cracroft-Eley
CHAIRMAN
Since planting Miscanthus at home in 2006 and realising its excellent potential as a stable farm enterprise on difficult land, William has made it his mission to bring order and transparency to Miscanthus supply.William established Terravesta Ltd in 2012 to deliver a secure and reliable national contract-based supply chain and develop the market for Miscanthus as the UK's no.1 energy crop.
To speak to William click here
Since planting Miscanthus at home in 2006 and realising its excellent potential as a stable farm enterprise on difficult land, William has made it his mission to bring order and transparency to Miscanthus supply.
William established Terravesta Ltd in 2012 to deliver a secure and reliable national contract-based supply chain and develop the market for Miscanthus as the UK's no.1 energy crop.
To speak to William click here
William established Terravesta Ltd in 2012 to deliver a secure and reliable national contract-based supply chain and develop the market for Miscanthus as the UK's no.1 energy crop.
To speak to William click here
Nat Le Roux
NON EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Nat joined the Terravesta team in September 2018 after investing in the business. He’s a financial whizz, having spent most of his career in financial markets and held the position of chief executive of IG Group as well as independent director of the London Metal Exchange. No stranger to the agricultural world, he now farms in East Suffolk and he joins the Terravesta board alongside positions of chairman for Scotgold Resources and strategy director of the Constitution Society, which he co-founded. Nat is highly experienced, and we’re pleased to have him on board as a driving force in shaping the Miscanthus bio-economy.Fun Facts
FAVOURITE FOOD
Artisan British cheese
MOTTO TO LIVE BY
Carpe diem
FAVOURITE SONG
'Don't you want me' - Human League (1981)
Nat joined the Terravesta team in September 2018 after investing in the business. He’s a financial whizz, having spent most of his career in financial markets and held the position of chief executive of IG Group as well as independent director of the London Metal Exchange. No stranger to the agricultural world, he now farms in East Suffolk and he joins the Terravesta board alongside positions of chairman for Scotgold Resources and strategy director of the Constitution Society, which he co-founded. Nat is highly experienced, and we’re pleased to have him on board as a driving force in shaping the Miscanthus bio-economy.
Fun Facts
FAVOURITE FOOD
Artisan British cheese
MOTTO TO LIVE BY
Carpe diem
FAVOURITE SONG
'Don't you want me' - Human League (1981)
Alex Robinson
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
Alex steers the Terravesta ship and leads the execution of the business strategy to deliver the board's vision. He plays a vital role in managing the diverse and growing Terravesta team. Having been with Terravesta since its inception, he's helped to establish a strong market position, ensuring Terravesta and Miscanthus remain at the forefront of the global bio-economy. He's a clear, ambitious thinker and brings out the very best in his fantastic team.To speak to Alex click here
Fun Facts
FAVOURITE FOOD
Home made pasta
GUILTY PLEASURE
Gardeners' Question Time
MOTTO I LIVE BY
Never assume anything
Alex steers the Terravesta ship and leads the execution of the business strategy to deliver the board's vision. He plays a vital role in managing the diverse and growing Terravesta team. Having been with Terravesta since its inception, he's helped to establish a strong market position, ensuring Terravesta and Miscanthus remain at the forefront of the global bio-economy. He's a clear, ambitious thinker and brings out the very best in his fantastic team.
To speak to Alex click here
To speak to Alex click here
Fun Facts
FAVOURITE FOOD
Home made pasta
GUILTY PLEASURE
Gardeners' Question Time
MOTTO I LIVE BY
Never assume anything
Alison Fisher
OPERATIONS & SALES ADMINISTRATOR
Alison has now been managing and supporting Terravesta growers for 2 years, handling virtually all the contracts we produce and liaising daily with our processing plants. She is the first port of call for any grower or collection enquiry and is a vital cog within the operations team.To speak to Alison click here
Fun Facts
FAVOURITE DRINK
Dry white wine (can I have one now please?)
GUILTY PLEASURE
McDonalds
SOMETHING MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT ME
I used to play the bagpipes when I was a teenager (wouldn’t have enough puff to play them now)
Alison has now been managing and supporting Terravesta growers for 2 years, handling virtually all the contracts we produce and liaising daily with our processing plants. She is the first port of call for any grower or collection enquiry and is a vital cog within the operations team.
To speak to Alison click here
To speak to Alison click here
Fun Facts
FAVOURITE DRINK
Dry white wine (can I have one now please?)
GUILTY PLEASURE
McDonalds
SOMETHING MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT ME
I used to play the bagpipes when I was a teenager (wouldn’t have enough puff to play them now)
Debbie Bringloe
OFFICE MANAGER
Debbie manages the vital link between our growers, hauliers and end markets. She's pivotal in ensuring that the collection and delivery of bales from farm into energy plants and processing facilities runs smoothly and is all accounted for. Debbie also manages the growers and haulier's invoices and payments.To speak to Debbie click here
Fun Facts
FAVOURITE DRINK
Jack Daniels and diet coke (with ice please)
HIDDEN TALENT
I can touch my nose with my tongue
MOTTO I LIVE BY
Treat people as you wish to be treated yourself
Debbie manages the vital link between our growers, hauliers and end markets. She's pivotal in ensuring that the collection and delivery of bales from farm into energy plants and processing facilities runs smoothly and is all accounted for. Debbie also manages the growers and haulier's invoices and payments.
To speak to Debbie click here
To speak to Debbie click here
Fun Facts
FAVOURITE DRINK
Jack Daniels and diet coke (with ice please)
HIDDEN TALENT
I can touch my nose with my tongue
MOTTO I LIVE BY
Treat people as you wish to be treated yourself
Tracy Devlin-Gray
HEAD OF ACCOUNTS
Tracy has a keen eye for detail and is meticulous in her approach to accounting. With a diverse background in sales, marketing and strong accounting experience, she has a keen understanding of business workings. Tracy maintains a high standard of accounting methods and principals and provides invaluable support to the department.To speak to Tracy click here
Fun Facts
GUILTY PLEASURE
Cheese with salt and vinegar crisps
MOTTO I LIVE BY
Try to do something new everyday
I'M AFRAID OF
Team building days involving sailing
Tracy has a keen eye for detail and is meticulous in her approach to accounting. With a diverse background in sales, marketing and strong accounting experience, she has a keen understanding of business workings. Tracy maintains a high standard of accounting methods and principals and provides invaluable support to the department.
To speak to Tracy click here
To speak to Tracy click here
Fun Facts
GUILTY PLEASURE
Cheese with salt and vinegar crisps
MOTTO I LIVE BY
Try to do something new everyday
I'M AFRAID OF
Team building days involving sailing
Simon Calder
PRODUCTION & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
Simon is putting Miscanthus on the world stage. His job is to continue to advance the Miscanthus bio-economy by taking new varieties and upscaling them for a plethora of applications including bioenergy, biofuels and biomaterials. He has an impressive track record of establishing new markets and was pivotal in the development, scale up and commercialisation of beetroot juice under the “LoveBeets” brand, which is available in over 9.5 thousand retail outlets across North America today. His career has come full circle and he’s back in the renewable energy sector, having originally done his MBA at the Royal Agricultural University, Cirencester, with a thesis focused on long term buyer-supplier relationships within the UK biomass industry.To speak to Simon click here
Fun Facts
GUILTY PLEASURE
A weeks fly-fishing in Scotland,
(my wife hates fly-fishing so this has to be my guilty pleasure)!
(my wife hates fly-fishing so this has to be my guilty pleasure)!
MOTTO TO LIVE BY
The cure for idleness is curiosity.
There is no cure for curiosity…
There is no cure for curiosity…
FAVOURITE BOOK
First Light by Geoffrey Wellum
Simon is putting Miscanthus on the world stage. His job is to continue to advance the Miscanthus bio-economy by taking new varieties and upscaling them for a plethora of applications including bioenergy, biofuels and biomaterials. He has an impressive track record of establishing new markets and was pivotal in the development, scale up and commercialisation of beetroot juice under the “LoveBeets” brand, which is available in over 9.5 thousand retail outlets across North America today. His career has come full circle and he’s back in the renewable energy sector, having originally done his MBA at the Royal Agricultural University, Cirencester, with a thesis focused on long term buyer-supplier relationships within the UK biomass industry.
To speak to Simon click here
To speak to Simon click here
Fun Facts
GUILTY PLEASURE
A weeks fly-fishing in Scotland,
(my wife hates fly-fishing so this has to be my guilty pleasure)!
(my wife hates fly-fishing so this has to be my guilty pleasure)!
MOTTO TO LIVE BY
The cure for idleness is curiosity.
There is no cure for curiosity…
There is no cure for curiosity…
FAVOURITE BOOK
First Light by Geoffrey Wellum
Dr Michael Squance
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY DIRECTOR
Mike heads up our ambitious science and research programme and oversees the development of new innovative technologies such as our ‘Harvest Hub’ information management platform. An IT genius, Mike overcomes any technical challenge we throw at him and manages all of our digital infrastructure. He also has an in-depth understanding of Miscanthus breeding, having formerly worked on the ‘GIANT LINK’ seed breeding project we ran with Aberystwyth University.
To speak to Michael click here
Fun Facts
I’M AFRAID OF
The internet going down at Terravesta
HIDDEN TALENT
Playing the keyboard and cornet
GUILTY PLEASURE
Table top gaming
Mike heads up our ambitious science and research programme and oversees the development of new innovative technologies such as our ‘Harvest Hub’ information management platform. An IT genius, Mike overcomes any technical challenge we throw at him and manages all of our digital infrastructure. He also has an in-depth understanding of Miscanthus breeding, having formerly worked on the ‘GIANT LINK’ seed breeding project we ran with Aberystwyth University.
To speak to Michael click here
Fun Facts
I’M AFRAID OF
The internet going down at Terravesta
HIDDEN TALENT
Playing the keyboard and cornet
GUILTY PLEASURE
Table top gaming
Andrzej Matyjewski
HEAD OF EUROPEAN OPERATIONS
Andrzej has worked in the agricultural biofuels sector for over ten years and has a strong background in biotechnical engineering. Based in Poland but frequently in the UK, his role is to deliver high quality, sustainable and completely traceable feedstocks and maintain a robust miscanthus supply chain between Eastern Europe and the UK.To speak to Andrzej click here
Fun Facts
GUILTY PLEASURE
Don’t feel guilty about pleasures!
MOTTO I LIVE BY
Use common sense!
I'M AFRAID OF
Stupidity
Andrzej has worked in the agricultural biofuels sector for over ten years and has a strong background in biotechnical engineering. Based in Poland but frequently in the UK, his role is to deliver high quality, sustainable and completely traceable feedstocks and maintain a robust miscanthus supply chain between Eastern Europe and the UK.
To speak to Andrzej click here
To speak to Andrzej click here
Fun Facts
GUILTY PLEASURE
Don’t feel guilty about pleasures!
MOTTO I LIVE BY
Use common sense!
I'M AFRAID OF
Stupidity
Sophie Wilesmith
PR & COMMUNICATIONS
Sophie is mad about writing, the environment and agriculture, which is the perfect mix for her role as ‘the voice of Terravesta’. Her background is in agricultural marketing and PR and before joining our team she worked for a leading agricultural PR agency. Sophie writes our newsletters, our news features in the press, our marketing literature and manages the social media, in fact she pretty much has a handle on most of the stuff we put out to the world!To speak to Sophie click here
Fun Facts
FAVOURITE DRINK
G&T with lemon and lime
HIDDEN TALENT
I bake a good loaf
MOTTO I LIVE BY
Life is like riding a bicycle, to keep your balance you must keep moving
Sophie is mad about writing, the environment and agriculture, which is the perfect mix for her role as ‘the voice of Terravesta’. Her background is in agricultural marketing and PR and before joining our team she worked for a leading agricultural PR agency. Sophie writes our newsletters, our news features in the press, our marketing literature and manages the social media, in fact she pretty much has a handle on most of the stuff we put out to the world!
To speak to Sophie click here
To speak to Sophie click here
Fun Facts
FAVOURITE DRINK
G&T with lemon and lime
HIDDEN TALENT
I bake a good loaf
MOTTO I LIVE BY
Life is like riding a bicycle, to keep your balance you must keep moving
Pepper, Bessie, Orla & Dill
OFFICE PETS
We love pets and have regular visits from our canine and feline favourites. Pepper is an easy going Parson Russell Terrier and a wise old girl with the right idea about how to spend her day. She mostly chills out with the girls in the accounts office, where she reclines in peace with the occasional bit of fuss (and ham). Dill the golden Cocker is less wise, thanklessly bounding around to find food, or looking for Orla, her apprentice. Orla, the Terrier pup is the youngest and she and Dill are as thick as thieves. Bessie used to be more of an office regular before Orla and Dill arrived, now seldom seen, she can be found hunting in the long grass.Fun Facts
PEPPER
Parsons Russell Terrier, 12 years old, leader of the pack
DILL
Cocker Spaniel, 1 year old, the underdog
ORLA
Mix of Border, Lakeland, Jack Russell & Yorkie Terrier, 6 months old, Dill's understudy
BESSIE
Semi feral cat, 12 years old, not a team player
We love pets and have regular visits from our canine and feline favourites. Pepper is an easy going Parson Russell Terrier and a wise old girl with the right idea about how to spend her day. She mostly chills out with the girls in the accounts office, where she reclines in peace with the occasional bit of fuss (and ham). Dill the golden Cocker is less wise, thanklessly bounding around to find food, or looking for Orla, her apprentice. Orla, the Terrier pup is the youngest and she and Dill are as thick as thieves. Bessie used to be more of an office regular before Orla and Dill arrived, now seldom seen, she can be found hunting in the long grass.
Fun Facts
PEPPER
Parsons Russell Terrier, 12 years old, leader of the pack
DILL
Cocker Spaniel, 1 year old, the underdog
ORLA
Mix of Border, Lakeland, Jack Russell & Yorkie Terrier, 6 months old, Dill's understudy
BESSIE
Semi feral cat, 12 years old, not a team player