Meet the Minds Driving VitaHydroKultur

At VitaHydroKultur, our greatest asset is our people. United by a shared passion for sustainable innovation and ethical science, our leadership team brings together decades of expertise in vertical farming, hydroponics, biotechnology, and business strategy. Their combined vision, technical mastery, and entrepreneurial spirit ensure we continue to break new ground—cultivating tomorrow’s solutions for a healthier planet and more responsible industries.

Gary Thorneycroft FCA

CEO & Finance

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Dr Paul Challinor

CTO

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Under NDA

Scientific Officer

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Chris Hill

Business Development

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Andy Allen

Head of Infrastructure Development

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Melissa Hayman

Operations Executive

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Gary Thorneycroft

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Gary is a Chartered Accountant (ACA) with over 20 years of experience advising and scaling privately owned businesses. After a successful career in public practice, he co-founded Jones Food Company – Europe’s largest hydroponic vertical farm – where he oversaw financial and operational strategy. His leadership brings deep financial insight and infrastructure execution capability across sectors including energy, agriculture, and industrial technology.

Dr Paul Challinor

Chief Technical Officer (CTO)

Paul holds a PhD in horticulture and is one of the UK’s foremost authorities in vertical farming and intensive plant production. With over 40 years of experience in plant physiology, LED lighting systems, nutrient delivery, and cultivation technologies, he co-founded Jones Food Company and helped pioneer its advanced CEA model. At VHK, Paul leads the scientific development of the company’s plant expression systems and vertical infrastructure blueprint.

[Name Withheld]

Chief Scientific Officer (CSO)

(Disclosed post-investment under NDA)
VHK’s Chief Scientific Officer is an innovation-led biochemist with a PhD in Biomolecular Sciences and more than 15 years’ experience in protein science, bioprocess engineering, and novel expression systems. He has led pioneering work in plant-based protein production across pharmaceutical, personal care, and diagnostic applications. Due to active partnerships and proprietary projects, his identity is protected under a confidentiality agreement.

Christopher Hill

Chief Development Officer (CBDO)

Chris is a serial entrepreneur and investor with over two decades of experience in project development and private capital markets. He co-founded Cornhill Capital, an FCA-regulated member of the London Stock Exchange, and Envirotech Energy Solutions, a leading UK-based grid-scale battery storage company. At VHK, Chris leads capital strategy, investor relations, and commercial development across both domestic and international markets.

Andy Allen

Head of Infrastructure Development

Andy is a co-founder of Oasthouse Ventures and a proven infrastructure developer with 14 years’ experience delivering large-scale agricultural and energy systems. He has taken 22 major projects from concept to commercial operation, including some of the UK’s largest low-carbon greenhouse complexes. At VHK, he ensures the vertical farming and biomanufacturing platforms are designed, built, and scaled with precision and operational excellence.

Melissa Hayman

Head of Operations

Melissa brings close to two decades of experience in operations, manufacturing systems, and supply chain management. She has held key operational roles at global organisations including Sumitomo Corporation and Gel Systems, specialising in scaling frameworks, logistics coordination, and infrastructure delivery. At VHK, she leads the development of scalable operational systems to support production, fulfilment, and quality control.