ABOUT
The AGRI project enables SMEs to work with leading specialists and academics to develop innovative products and services for their clients. In addition to our core team members we have a range of experts across a wide variety of disciplines and technologies we can call upon to help enable your ideas for business growth to become reality.
Prof. David J Webb
Project Director
A member of the Aston Institute of Photonics Technologies, David has 30 years’ research experience in the field of photonics, working in the areas of non-linear optics and optical fibre sensors and devices, having published well over 300 journal and conference papers on these subjects.
Dr Neil Gordon
Academic expert
Neil is the AGRI Project Academic Expert based at Aston University. Neil joined the Aston Institute of Photonics Technologies (AIPT) as a Research Fellow in Industrial Photonics looking at industrial applications of photonics. Neil has published over 90 papers, 17 patent applications and 5 book chapters.
Jolade Azzan
Business Development
Manager
Jolade Azzan is the AGRI Business Development Manager based at Aston University. A science graduate, she has worked as an industrial technician and has previous ERDF project management and knowledge transfer experience.
Martin Grant
Project Manager
Martin is the AGRI Project Manager. Martin is a Business Manager with a specialism in public tender processes & bid preparation, and experience working across a broad range of sectors.. Martin has previously successful built and run his own business, creating products that were patented, manufactured and subsequently exported within Europe and America.
Prof. Peter Mills
Project Deputy Director
Peter’s specialties are in plant microbiology, climate change, education and research management. He was the Harper Adams lead for the new Agricultural Engineering Precision Innovation (Agri-EPI) Centre established with part of a £17.7m Government investment from the UK’s Strategy for Agricultural Technologies.
Dr Trisha Toop
Academic expert
Trisha is the AGRI Project Academic Expert based at Harper Adams University. Trisha has a background in interdisciplinary research combining biochemistry, engineering and mathematical modelling. She has experience of project management and the development of new technology in the bioenergy sector.
Rose Judeh-Elwell
Business Development
Manager
Rose is the AGRI Business Development Manager based at Harper Adams University. Her background is in project and business development with a strong focus on marketing, promotion and business engagement across a range of industries. She has previous ERDF experience which is now honed toward the agri-tech sector.
Prof. Simon Blackmore
Academic Engineering Lead
Simon is the AGRI Academic Engineering Lead based at Harper Adams University. Simon’s research specialisms include the areas of Precision Farming, Field Robots and developing more intelligent machines working in the area of design of robot system architecture.