Senior managment team
Alison Blackwell MSc, PhD CEO
An internationally-recognised entomologist, Alison founded APS in 2004, following a successful academic career and completion of a Royal Society of Edinburgh Enterprise Fellowship. Alison has a track record of managing SME’s, fund raising and project management, having developed a pipeline of bacteriophage solutions in the fresh-produce sector.
Mark Willcox PhD
Director
Mark represents Branston Ltd. on the APS Board, bringing a commercial insight across the fresh-produce industry. At Branston, Mark serves as Technical Director and is responsible for food safety and legal and customer standards compliance, as well as overseeing their Prepared Foods division and wider innovation strategy.
Kate Full
Financial Controller
Kate is an experienced professional, qualifying in 2002 after 16 years in various accounting roles. After leaving professional practice in 2004, Kate moved into Corporate Finance working for Braveheart Investment Group plc where she specialised in investment appraisal and due diligence. Kate is integral to APS’ financial management, fund raising and strategic review activities.
Peter Quinn
Advisor to the Board
Peter has more than 18 years of management experience having previously worked as divisional managing director for major food manufacturer Samworth Brothers. He has extensive high-level management experience in PLC and private businesses as well as expertise as a business consultant and scientific advisor in biotechnology, health and nutrition. His knowledge and experience is of considerable benefit to the APS Board and as a Non-Executive Director of Branston, he works closely with Mark Willcox on their strategic involvement with the company.
Research Team
Kiri Mack
Senior Research Scientist
With a PhD from the University of Dundee/James Hutton Institute, Kiri has worked for APS from day one. She is responsible for managing much of the company’s bacteriophage research.
Kiri loves a spreadsheet and new addition to the family, Luna the crazy Springador pup.
Louise Disbury
Senior Research Technician
An experienced microbiology technician, Louise joined APS in 2012 and is an invaluable member of the team, working across the company’s bacteriophage projects.
Louise always wins the prize for the most detailed lab book.
Hollie Cruickshank
Research Technician
Hollie joined our bacteriophage R&D team in December 2020. When not locked way in the PCR room processing hundreds of potato samples, Hollie is usually out & about with her horses and dogs.
Edith Duff
Research Technician
Edith has a genetics degree from the University of Glasgow and previous commercial experience in a fast-paced microbiology lab. Coming from a farming family and having spent summers working as a seed-potato inspector, Edith was a perfect match for our potato-phage work when she joined APS in 2021.
Peyton Goddard
Research Technician
Peyton joined APS in 2022, coming from the University of Sheffield, where she obtained a First-Class Masters degree in molecular biology & genetics. Peyton is a key player in a collaborative project investigating a bacteriophage solution for onion soft rot.
insect solutions & administration
Jay Hutchison
Project Director, APSEC
Jay graduated from the University of Glasgow with an MRes in Ecology and BSc (Hons) in Zoology. Jay then went on to work at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine as a Research Assistant in mosquito behaviour and insecticide resistance before starting at APS. Jay manages our insect-solutions programmes within APSEC, as well as being integral to our Smidge product development.
Wendy Davidson
Administrator
An experienced sales administrator in a number of sectors, Wendy manages everyone, looks after the finances and keeps all of our Smidge customers happy, ably assisted by Hamish the wonder beagle.
Evie
Team Mascot
Evie has grown up with the team, keeps the office canines in check and of course approves all appointments!