RAFT SOLUTIONS - Key Persons
I joined the RAFT team in May 2021 as Marketing Assistant, with my role consisting of running the social media platforms, creating bespoke flyers and materials to promote the various services we offer, keeping the website up to date and general day-to-day marketing tasks to support the numerous projects the RAFT team are working on.
Having a huge passion for marketing, I have competed my Foundation Certificate in Marketing from the Charted Institute of Marketing and now plan to further my development in gaining the Professional Certificate in the future.
I'm Alister a PRINCE2 Project Manager with a BSc(hons) in Biological Sciences from The University of Leeds. I joined RAFT in Spring 2021, and my portfolio consists of innovation projects in animal welfare, point-of-care diagnostics, PLF technologies and sustainable farming.
I started with RAFT in November 2022 as Project Manager. I have spent the past 7 years working for XLVets arranging courses and events for Members of the XLVets community and members of the public. I am very organised and I enjoy seeing projects through from start to finish. I look forward to working on some of the exciting projects that RAFT are involved with .
Job Titles:
- Advanced Breeding Technician & Researcher
I joined the RAFT team in 2015 as an Advanced Breeding Technician and Researcher and have several roles. The majority of my time is spent working on our SemenRate semen analysis service, both in the laboratory and on the admin and logistics side of the service. I also provide help to the vets in setting up and administering our embryo collection, embryos transfer and OPU programmes. My on-farm role is to assist the vets with cowside aspects of these programmes and carry out the embryology required. I am also involved in the delivery of laboratory-based projects for the research arm of RAFT, particularly those with links to our advanced breeding services and the SemenRate laboratory. I am also involved in writing and editing of our grant applications, reports and presentations.
My role is varied, every day is different; I love being able to use my research science background both within a lab setting and out on farm. Outside of work I enjoy walking with my husband and dog, photography, and crochet.
I joined RAFT in 2014 and previously worked for a pharmaceutical contract research organisation where I gained experience of co-ordinating studies and working in a GCP/GLP regulated environment. I have over ten years' experience in managing projects and portfolios of all shapes and sizes including projects for Innovate UK, levy bodies and pharmaceutical companies. In addition, I have managed industry wide livestock sustainability and disease control programmes; The National Johne's Management Plan and AHDB's Pig Health Scheme. I am a Recognised PRINCE2 Practitioner and now manage the RAFT's experienced Operations Team.
I also sit on the FarmSkills Steering Group, the Askham Bryan College's Research Committee, and I am an external key opinion leader in the InSHAW project and Director of VetDX, a data facilitation business.
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive
- Member of the Board
- DCHP FRCVS RCVS Recognised Specialist in Cattle Health
I started with RAFT Solutions in July 2022 as an Office Administrator - general day to day admin, accounts and invoicing. My background is in the Retail sector but wanted a change in direction and the opportunity came from RAFT. I grew up surrounded with agriculture and felt this is a great opportunity for me.
I have a keen interest in baking which I have managed to make into a business - I work on it from home and attend some Artisan markets on a weekend, which takes up a lot of my spare time. I also enjoy a nice dog walk around Ripon and enjoy a good holiday.
I was appointed Chairman of RAFT in 2017 and have a 30-year professional career in commercial agriculture, finance, R&D, marketing and public relations. With interests in the development of sustainable food production, I work with clients across the supply chain from primary food producers through to the retail sector, and some of the World's leading food brands. I work with data partners on the measurement of sustainability goals and have extensive experience in the development of programmes that change farm management practice.
In addition to my role within the RAFT team, I am a director of RCMG, an Oxford based consultancy business working in sustainable agriculture, animal health and welfare, and communications and marketing activities, including in the red meat processing sector and global exporting, and the farmer co-operative business sector. In the past, I have chaired the 2013 Oxford Farming Conference, contributed to the BBC Rural Affairs Committee and Chaired the Farm Inspiration Trust a charity bringing opportunity to adults with autism and learning disabilities.
I joined the RAFT team in 2016 and have a varied and flexible role within the team depending on the changing requirements of the business. One a day-to-day bases my key focus areas are;