TechX Programme Partners and Mentors

Mohammad Kantar

Kantar Advisory Partners (KAP) is a strategic growth partner scaling climate innovation across borders. We empower climate-focused startups and ecosystem players to deliver real-world impact through tailored support in strategy, market expansion, partnerships, and visibility.

Aicha Bounaim

Experienced Researcher and Technical Lead with more than 20 years experience including 17+ years in Energy industry with a PhD in Applied Mathematics. I am directly applying all competencies acquired during these years towards energy transition and new energy workflows…a lot of learning enabled in my new role. 

Prior to my current job, I worked with different applications of mathematics to real world problems such as medical imaging for a breast cancer detection technique and for an environmental problem from oceanography point of view.  

During my research career, I have also been involved in different teaching positions in French universities and engineering schools, but also within Norwegian Master and PhD programs. In recent years, I have acquired good skills as International Reviewer and Expert in evaluation of innovation and research programs at European and International levels and technology transfer competitions. 

Amrit Chandan

I am an engineer by training with start up business experience. I have won several awards for my work and have received mentoring from some pretty great mentors. I am now looking forward to pay this forward to help mentor someone and help them to avoid the same mistakes I have made. 

Caragh McWhirr

I lead Xodus’ Hydrogen Centre of Excellence as Head of Hydrogen Strategy globally. I have 22 years experience in the energy sector, a broad technical engineering base as well as experience in Xodus’ Advisory business. I have been a secondee into NZTC’s Energy Systems Integration solution centre for 3 years. I’m a member of the ECITB’s Net Zero Network, and of UCL’s Industry Advisory Panel, and have a keen interest in supporting the development of skills in hydrogen and energy transition. I’m keen to share the technical, commercial and innovation skills I have developed with those working to achieve net zero goals. 

Caroline Roberts Haritonov

I’m a chartered engineer and Astrimar’s Managing Director and Chief Consultant. I have over 30 years’ oil, gas and subsea engineering experience, focused on reliability engineering, technology qualification, technical risk and integrity management. Since founding Astrimar in 2010, I’ve helped develop industry best practice, including API-RP-17N, API-RP-17Q and NZTC’s own TQ guidance. I’ve coached operators and technology developers in their implementation, and developed Astrimar’s low-cost Innovation Management Tool, RAPAT – providing a technology qualification management framework and access to in-built expert help. I’m passionate about helping innovators understand and prevent failure throughout the product life cycle and support technology success, and have supported technology developers in a wide range of technologies, including Offshore wind, wave, hydrogen generation, carbon capture, energy storage, digital twins, monitoring and predictive analysis.

Chris Bird

Chris has been an energy manager since 1982 and is fully qualified engineer in mechanical, chemical, reservoir, project and risk management. Chris original trained in the process industry with Beecham plc for moving into the oil and gas sector in the mid 1980’s and is qualified to MSc level is a chartered engineer, a European engineer and a fellow of four major institutions.  During his career he also picked up several awards.  Chris has been the Managing Director of Aker Kvaerner, Technical Director for Centrica Energy,  Operations Director for Endeavour and CEO For Western Europe for MOL group.  Currently Chris is the Chairman for Riskwell and the CEO for Meridian Resources and has held several additional non-executive roles. Chris’s expertise includes developing new technology, company start-up and high growth, governance, capital development excellence and risk management.  He is passionate about energy and energy transition.

Denis Pinto

Consultant with extensive commercial and engineering skills in flow measurement as well as hydrocarbon allocation and accounting within the oil and gas industry in both domestic and international markets. In my career I have been instrumental in getting new and innovative technology adopted to help reduce the lifting costs in oil and gas. Plus I am involved with Hydrogen, Wind Turbines, drones and robotics. 

Dobromir Todorov

Dob Todorov is a serial tech entrepreneur turned deep tech investor, advisor and executive. His portfolio includes startups innovating in the space of corporate security and compliance, fraud detection and management, robotics, automation, and AI. Dob often takes an active role in his companies by becoming their advisor and mentor, as well as the CTO/CISO/COO for some of these businesses. Prior to that, Dob was the co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of HeleCloud, a leading AWS technology consultancy and managed services business, that was acquired by SoftwareONE in 2021. Dob continues to be passionate about technology disruption and innovation, startup culture, and wider market adoption of disruptive IT.

Dob is passionate about Cloud Services, Security and Compliance, as well as Disruptive IT and Automation. He was the Head of Security & Compliance in EMEA for AWS in the early days of the Cloud, as well as the CTO for Public Sector in EMEA, with responsibilities for industry and regulatory compliance, working with Financial Services, Telecoms and Public Sector customers and government and pan-European regulatory and compliance bodies. Dob used to sit on the industry advisory committee for GDPR, as well as a couple of other working groups in EMEA. He’s the co-author of a number of EC publications on Security & Compliance, the co-author of the AWS Security Best Practices whitepaper and other AWS material, the author of two books on Security & Compliance, and multiple other coursebooks, technical exams and publications.

Donna McWilliams

Currently managing director at Electra Learning, where we deliver Training and Change Management services to Corporate Energy clients when they are upgrading or implementing IT Business Systems. We have offices in the UK and Canada so have experience of working internationally. In my role, my focus is on business growth, strategy, managing people and process. 

Eleanor Akers

I have been fortunate enough to benefit from the support and advise of a diverse range of mentors throughout my corporate career and since the launch of my start up ion 2021. Tech X provides a fantastic opportunity to share the things I’ve learnt and pay it forwards.  

Fernando C. Hernandez

I am a multi-award-winning TechX mentor and have steered nearly a dozen startups, with several winning awards and one securing a pilot project. I serve as Chairman of the Board at the Society for Low Carbon Technologies and as a Business Ambassador (GlobalScot) to Scotland in energy, appointed by Nicola Sturgeon. As a technologist and patent holder, I specialize in commercializing emerging technologies at the intersection of innovation and policy. I influenced South America’s first legal framework for carbon capture and storage, approved by Brazil’s president. At Velocys, I leveraged my hydrogen expertise to advance eFuel projects, securing partnerships with Honeywell UOP, Plug Power, and Technip Energies.

Francis Neill

Francis is a serial tech entrepreneur having run 5 early stage companies over the last 16 years.  Francis has raised over £30 million investment and exited over £65 million.  He is presently CEO of Silicon Microgravity, a spin out of Cambridge University which he led a management buy-out of and then pivoted out of oil and gas into the inertial navigation and gravity markets. Prior to that Francis was CEO of Norwegian fibre optic company Ziebel, CEO of EV Cameras and Managing Director of Brinker Technology.  He presently lives in Aberdeen but has worked and lived in the US, Europe and Middle East.

Fraser Dunsmore Pritchard

Fraser D. Pritchard (CXO, Director, Partner, Mentor | Corporate Direction & Development | Technologies Commercialisation | Strategic & Leadership Resilience). My specialty is commercialising disruptive business models and new energy technologies, and specifically how to build sustainable value and revenue for the long term through effective corporate governance, development of markets diversity, and smart capital structuring.  

I possess unique insights into the challenges facing start-up and underperforming businesses. I am a natural trouble-shooter on identifying sustainable improvements to under-performing companies, and I’m passionate about coaching and mentoring leadership to perform to the demands of their companies and above their peers. 

I have operated in a variety of CXO roles worldwide, as Executive, Non-Executive and Independent Director, and have held directorships with public and private companies across Europe and the Americas 

Gabriel Alonso Arrien

My name is Gabriel Alonso Arrien, and I work as an investment associate in Repsol Corporate Venture’s team. My background is in economics, business administration and companies’ internationalization. Previously in Repsol I have participated in different positions such as business development, joint ventures management and sales. Our corporate investment vehicle, Repsol Corporate Venturing, invests in startups with technology solutions aimed at decarbonization.

Our investment fund, Repsol Deep Tech, helps boost technologies in the initial development stages but with high potential in the energy transition. In addition to funding, we provide our broad knowledge of the energy industry through the more than 200 scientists at our technology and innovation center, the Repsol Technology Lab. There, we offer the possibility to test and validate the technologies from the startups in which we invest.

Garry Millard

With 43+ years of multi-disciplinary experience in a diverse range of companies within the global energy sector I am commercially driven with a strong contractual and customer focus. I have significant experience working with Private Equity backed businesses as a Director/MD/CEO and specialise in developing and implementing strategy, globalisation, M&A, patented technology, commercial, and contracts, team building and succession planning. I currently hold a number on Non-Executive and Executive Director roles. 

John Carolin

Spent the last 20 years building clean technology businesses, within both large, listed corporations and venture capital backed start-ups.  Now focused on non-executive, advisory and voluntary opportunities helping companies and other organisations committed to building a sustainable future.  Served as a director of several corporates and a not for profit – currently a non-executive director of Deep Branch Biotechnology.

John Liley

Strategic Planning | Technology Commercialisation | Business Growth

I’m a semi-retired company Director and Chartered Engineer with a 40-year career focused on complex product innovation from aerospace and energy sectors.  I have strong networking and consultancy skills, lived experience in the start-up ecosystem and deep commitment to growth.  My board level roles included commercial, business development, IP strategy and operations.

I’m passionate about sharing my knowledge and expertise supporting new ventures.  Currently, I mentor a several startup / growth stage businesses in university incubators, the NZTC, and I’m also a Director with a Tech-X Cohort 5 business.

John Scrimgeour

I am currently Chairman of Archer Knight a Market Intelligence Company that uses AI to gather information on all offshore operations, though principally subsea.   

I have mentored several startups, from the NZTC and elsewhere.  I enjoy assisting energtic people with ideas that have the potential to make a difference and am paricularly keen on business with the potential to develop Aberdeens’ future as an energy hub.  

I started as a Petroleum Engineer and worked up to COO, mainly in UK but was GM of four overseas subsiduaries in Africa and Colombia. 

Juan Tovar

Over 41 years of experience in the Energy industry at international level. Started with the Schlumberger group working in field operations in cementing, stimulation, sand control and coiled tubing for 9 years. Worked in North Africa (Libya, Algeria), the U.K., Venezuela and Norway. Spent 2 years in Italy working as the R&D manager for SIAT Spa, an Italian company providing well intervention services to the local market. Co-founded Innovative Engineering Systems Ltd IESL in 1995, a company dedicated to the development of technology and engineering services to the oil and gas industry. Executed over 500 projects worldwide related to drilling, completion, intervention engineering and geomechanical applications to production engineering.

John Straw

I am a serial technology entrepreneur, published author and early stage startup investor. 

During the past seven years I’ve also served as a Senior Advisor to McKinsey and Company and on the Boards of various businesses including Provident plc and Lytt (a subsidiary of bp). 

Now semi retired my significant interest in helping startup raise funding rounds and scale their product and marketing operations. My investment portfolio is now 13 startups including ManyPets (previously BoughtByMany) with a return >5000%. 

I am a Board Director for bp owned startup, Lytt. 

My specialist knowledge is in fund raising and digital sales and marketing (having previously started and sold 2 digital marketing businesses) 

Katy Sutherland

I have 15+ years experience in the Energy Industry in Corporate Strategy, Corporate Finance and Business Advisory roles. I run my own consultancy business, focused on getting companies transaction or investor-ready. Key activities include: development of investor-ready business plans and pitch-books, value proposition design, market analysis and positioning and due diligence preparedness. Prior to running my own business, I worked in M&A and strategy roles at both Simmons & Company (now Piper Sandler) and AAB. I hold an LLB (hons), MSc in Business and Management and a Certificate in Corporate Finance from the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment.   

Kenny Wiggins

A successful commercially led business ‘can do’ professional who combines 30 years demonstrable international multi-sector experience of achievement in senior leadership roles with a strong academic background. A team player with the ability & experience to manage across disciplines & across cultures. Managing within a diverse portfolio career, to bring zest/energy, passion & team spirit in the incessant drive for increased commercialisation, profitability, & improved governance by assisting individuals & organisations to develop & positively impact business performance & profitability. To create an environment suitable for business/individual growth & expression, while building a strategic vision, long standing relationships, and increased stakeholder value – while having fun doing it.

Marco Poliafico

I have 15+ years of professional experience within the cleantech and sustainability industries. My expertise lies at the crossroad between strategy, analytics and operations. I have been supporting 100+ startups globally since 2017, mainly focusing on: 1. Strategy, 2. Business models, and 3. Pitch coaching. I reguarly deliver talks at entrepreneurial and coaching events, and contributed to a book on startups. My vision is “A sustainable and ethical Planet with 100% renewable energy and sustainable tourism 

Mark Richards

I have over 40 years of experience in the oil and gas service sector, including 21 years at Schlumberger and 16 years at CGG. I have worked on offshore seismic acquisition, marine operations, HR, marine sales and business development. I now run my own business as a financial broker and am a full-time consultant for the Chinese company BGP, as global SVP heading up their multi-client business. I work at executive level in IOCs and NOCs, and at a ministerial level for government contracts. I have developed multi-million dollar projects globally, responsible for P&L and $250M revenues. I have been a director on several boards, in the UK and internationally 

Nigel Lees

I am a strategist, thought leader, exec and non-exec director, and experienced chair with over three decades of experience in the energy sector, from oil and gas through renewables and onto the development of alternative energy solutions for the future.

Rudy de la Fuente

I founded Industrial Gas Consultants (IGC) in 2019, and my resilient vision—before and after the pandemic—has kept IGC at the forefront of net zero and decarbonization projects. My hydrogen experience, spanning over a decade, is paramount in IGC advancing energy transition and low-carbon projects in the U.S. and abroad. IGC has partnered with European companies to extend and incorporate emerging net zero and ESG technologies on IGC projects. I am passionate about building ecosystems in emerging markets with partner companies. I firmly believe it’s my societal responsibility to train the next generation of industrial specialists. 

Ryan Menzies

I am an experienced business professional with a track record of growing and developing SME’s.  I have grown SME’s from start up to £15M, and through exit.  Particular strengths in company culture, talent attraction, management team growth and development, and achieving early stage sustainable growth. 

Experience in onshore and offshore renewables, hydrogen, and traditional oil and gas sectors, primarily from a consulting engineering services perspective.  Additional experience of developing and commercialising technical software products, and physical product IP. 

Currently founder and managing Director of Apollo Engineering Consultants (Apollo), an engineering services business active across the energy sector.” 

Sarah Melaney

Sarah has over a decade of experience advising high growth companies and investors on investment rounds, scale-up, exits (trade sales and IPOs) and general corporate governance. As a Partner at Withers, Sarah often assumes the role of general counsel for her clients providing effective advice on all commercial matters. Sarah has been ranked as a next generation partner by Legal 500.

Sarah commenced her career as an equity capital markets lawyer listing companies on the AIM market and the main market of the London Stock Exchange which means that she is able to grow with companies through all stages of their life cycle. She is considered to be a leading individual in impact investment having acted for one of Europe’s first and largest impact investors throughout her career.

Nick Swan

Operations Manager, specialising in Operating Strategy and Project Management for energy industry and infrastructure projects. Chartered Mechanical and Electrical Engineer by background, I bring strong technical capability, supported by a passion for business development and commercial analysis. I have worked with technology accelerator programs within NZTC, Imperial College and bp, and I have experience supporting start-ups and businesses with Operating Strategy input across a wide range of sectors, including Offshore Wind, Carbon Capture, Hydrogen, Solar and O&G.

Key strengths I bring as a mentor is experience deploying and scaling technologies within an Operating business, and strategies for growth based on integration or partnerships with industry.

Stewart Cameron

I am an experienced attorney and business owner. I started our firm in 2011 on my own and have grown it to 15 people operating out of three offices across the UK. I see new innovations on a daily basis in my role as a patent attorney and have decades of experience in advising startups and SMEs as well as larger corporates – not only on IP but also on the commercial aspects relating to innovation.   

Stuart McLeod

As an entrepreneurial leader with titles of founder, CEO, and chairman, I have a proven track record of establishing new businesses, revitalising stagnating operations, and securing a landmark acquisition deal.

My global footprint includes setting up offices worldwide, orchestrating global master service agreements, and adeptly navigating a plethora of disputes and crises.

The most formidable yet fulfilling challenge in my journey through capital-intensive industries has been strategising company alignment, scaling technology, and fostering rapid growth. Two decades dedicated to the commercialisation of technology have imparted invaluable insights into effective practices. These insights have culminated in a dynamic methodology that empowers diverse businesses and technologies to scale and prosper consistently.

Troy Stewart

Currently Global Director for Business Transformation for TUV Rheinland. Main focus areas are Implementation of AI and integrarion of newly acquired business into TUV Rheinland.  Previously UK Country manager for ABB Process Automation.  Over 30 years experience in business management for Technology, Project and Services organisations.  Highly skilled in B2B Sales and marketing, Product management, scaling and growing businesses.

Currently supporting a number of startups (AI, Software and/or Technology based). Coaching and mentoring activities with Founders and business teams.

Keen to help founders and new teams develop solutions and services in Climate change, Energy transition, Sustainability & Decarbonisation.

Mentor coordinator for London for The Kings Trust with a focus on Green Tech

Ambassador mentor for the Migrant Leaders Charity.

Mark Bennett

What makes me tick is helping teams to identify and create value from their technologies – value that will have a positive impact on the planet and the NetZero transition. I love getting beneath the skin of the techs and the teams behind them to quickly get to grips with the real value proposition – and then to navigate a clear path to realising the commercial potential. And if its not going to have a positive impact on the world, I’m not interested!

I have getting on for twenty five years of experience in commercial management and business development, much of that in the cleantech and renewable energy sector. In that time I have managed to find successful routes to market for well over forty technology based opportunities and developed a great network of contacts across the boundaries of the corporate, VC and public sector agencies worlds. My experience has included:– initiating and running a corporate venture focussed on solar and biomass powered devices for the ‘Base of the Pyramid’ population in the developing world,– supporting many spinouts to form, gain investment and grow from Universities,– commercial management for the Energy Technologies Institute, a major UK renewable energy Private Public Partnership including Shell, BP, EDF and other corporates,– protecting and licensing IP portfolios (including all the nasty contractual and negotiation stuff!)

More recently, I have transitioned to working for a small consultancy focussed on advising SMEs on commercialisation and IP in European R&D projects – including those focussed on Nature Based Solutions. By nature I am a Coach or a Mentor – and not someone who just tells you what to do. I want you to find the answers, buy in to them and drive their implementation – my skill is in guiding you to find the right answers and talk to the right people.